Operational Energy Innovation Advisor

Overview

Axient is seeking an Energy Innovation Advisor to support the Director of Operational Energy Innovation (OE-I), Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Environment and Energy Resilience [DASD(EER)], within the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD). This position serves a key role advising the Director of Innovation on future operational energy science and technology (S&T) investments and the Military Services’ operational energy research and development (R&D) programs. The individual should possess broad experience in performing and managing technology research, development, test, and evaluation (RDT&E).   Candidate will provide support and inputs on processes and technologies for a portfolio of highly technical operational energy projects.  Candidate will support as requested the analysis of a breadth of scientific energy related projects and when tasked join with the Axient and OSD team in conducting technical analysis and support for emerging, ongoing, and transitioning operational energy TDT&E and prototype projects.

Responsibilities

SUPPORTING TASKS WILL INCUDE

At the direction of OSD, the advisor will support the technical management and oversight of energy R&D projects supported by the OSD’s Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF) and Operational Energy Prototyping Fund (OEPF), with duties that may include:

• Support the Director of Innovation as a liaison to the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) throughout the process of identifying candidates to interview, scheduling interviews, characterizing candidates’ credentials, and eventually onboarding and mentoring the new fellow.
• Support development of OECIF calls for proposals and ensure potential and active project teams engage appropriate network of stakeholders (e.g., technical partners, future customers) within and external to the DoD—including industry and academia.
• Contribute to the preparation or review of routine and ad hoc program management documents (e.g., annual program reports, 10-year OECIF program assessment).
• Attend OECIF project meetings, DoD and interagency S&T meetings and workshops, and professional conferences—if and when requested by the Director of Innovation—to build and maintain technical knowledge and networks to ensure DoD’s RDT&E investments are sufficiently informed.
• Prepare inputs for reports, briefings, strategy documents, and/or Department policies through research, analysis, writing, and soliciting data and compiling inputs from staff in partner offices.
• Prepare documents responding to senior leader or congressional inquiries regarding the DoD’s energy research investments, activities, and policies.
• Preview DoD-internal or external documents to identify potential risks or opportunities for DoD to maintain energy technology dominance/superiority.

The candidate must be able to:

• Assimilate complex S&T issues and summarize them to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Understand and communicate the technical gaps and military benefits associated with a broad range of energy topics and specific RDT&E efforts.
• Offer ideas for improving the effectiveness and management of the OECIF and OEPF programs.
• Identify high-yield energy technology investment opportunities that strengthen the defense mission.
• As directed support building and maintain valuable partnerships for the office and its RDT&E partners.
• Thrive in a fast-paced team-oriented office work environment.
• Prepare high-quality analysis and communication products (in Excel, Word, and Power Point).

Qualifications

WORK LOCATION AND TRAVEL

Work location is Government site at the Pentagon and Mark Center

There may be some travel with this position as if/as directed by the customer

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work requires travel to attend meetings, conferences.

Travel will include site visits to remote locations with unimproved surfaces and the ability to climb over industrial surfaces, ascend and descend stairs and navigate open gantries to observe advanced technologies.

Light lifting to move displays and technology mock-ups will be required. 

CLEARANCE REQUIREMENTS

Secret clearance required; candidate must be clearable to the TS level

EXPERIENCE AND EDUCATION REQUIRMENTS

Requires 10 years’ experience supporting DoD  

- Including 5 years’ experience supporting Washington, DC, Services, Joint Chiefs, or OSD staff Headquarters

- BS Engineering Required

- MS Engineering or STEM related field required

- PHD in STEM related field desired

Must meet applicable COVID safety requirements and protocols