Unconventional Computing Technical SETA, TS/SCI

• Effort (FTE): 1.00 FTE
• Education Level: At least a Master’s degree in an Engineering or Science discipline relevant to this solicitation’s areas of interest
• Urgency: Immediate

Candidates sought to provide support for one or more new programs in the area of “unconventional computing” with the overall aim to achieve orders of magnitude improvement in computation speed while expending orders of magnitude less energy in space-constrained environments. The efforts will focus on analog and hybrid analog-digital approaches to achieve such computing capabilities. The underlying computation modalities are expected to draw from diverse disciplines, covering, but not limited to, computer science, electrical engineering, materials engineering, quantum physics, and biology. Approaches will consider a wide gamut of technologies, constrained mainly by the imaginations of the DARPA team and proposers, and include but are not limited to photonic and organic nonlinear materials and devices, coupled oscillatory states, quantum-inspired devices, synthetic biology, as well as suitable interfaces between such technologies and conventional electronic transport methods. The candidate must also possess a strong background in nonlinear problem solving, optimization, generative AI, and other types of large-scale processing algorithms to support the nonconventional computing approaches of interest and their end users.

The successful candidate will support the program manager by providing original technical insights, expertise from prior experience, systematic information gathering, and identification of end users who will drive the requirements of systems employing unconventional computing, transitioning such systems to impactful applications. Such a candidate will also identify potential performers with viable approaches to unconventional computing and their uses.

It is expected that the candidate will serve as a liaison with the armed services, the intelligence community (IC), and DoD stakeholders to maximize transition potential of unconventional computing technologies; coordinate with DARPA SID to assess performers’ security compliance with approved program protection plans in place; generate, maintain and execute an integrated master schedule for the program; generate and update technical risk analysis models; and support the coordination and execution of program-funded independent verification and validation (IV&V) activity

• Demonstrated project management and technical liaison expertise
• Ability to quickly learn unfamiliar areas needed to broadly support the PM’s portfolio of unconventional computing programs
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools
• Proficiency in the use of large language model tools for subject matter analysis and reporting
• Excellent communication skills - both written (to include PowerPoint) and oral
• Self-starter who is willing to both take the lead and provide support in a team role in a complex, fast-paced, cross-disciplinary work environment
• Strong organization skills with the ability to multi-task and respond to quick turn-around requests
• Flexible and readily adaptable to change
• TS/SCI Clearance is preferred

• →Lead periodic performer assessments to analyze program, technical and schedule risks; develop risk mitigation strategies; communicate findings to program manager
• →Take charge in supporting the program manager in program definition and pitch preparations
• →Support research solicitation and special notices
• →Play and active role in proposal evaluations, including formation and management of proposal evaluation teams
• →Technical evaluations and guidance on reports, briefings, and other performer communications  
• →Internal presentations and report preparation for DARPA and other government agencies
• →Program administration, including development of technical analyses, identification of technology gaps, technical risk management, project cost estimation, technology transfer efforts, as well as supporting technical reviews
• →Stakeholder engagement in unconventional computing and systems that use this across the IC, DoD, and services
• →Interagency engagement, including coordination activities with the IC, DoD, DoE, DoC, and potentially international partnerships
• →Attending and organizing program reviews/site visits/field tests