Portfolio Technical Lead

Overview Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter. Come work with the best!

We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA:
Objective. Responsive. Trusted.  The Joint, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Interagency Division provides expert support services to a range of customers spanning across the Department of Defense, Federal Civilian, and international markets. JOID provides a diverse portfolio of analytical and programmatic capabilities to help our customers make informed decisions on their most challenging issues.

SPA provides critical decision support to enabling and executing a strategy of technological superiority and enabling the delivery and sustainment of secure, resilient, and preeminent capabilities to the warfighter quickly and cost effectively. Our team of experienced military, technical, and operations research analysts is skilled in evaluating military problems, identifying the driving factors, devising innovative approaches, collecting applicable data, developing necessary software tools, and performing thorough and timely assessments to inform technology and acquisition governance decisions to ensure U.S. military forces retain military superiority in the future.

We have an immediate need for a Portfolio Technical Lead to provide onsite support out of Arlington, VA.Responsibilities The Portfolio Technical Lead will act as the DARPA Program Manager's primary advisor for technical rigor, integration, and portfolio coherence. The Lead will provide independent technical assessment across all programs to ensure alignment with PM intent and agency priorities. The Lead will evaluate technical risk, maturity, feasibility, and transition potential across the portfolio.

Translate technical complexity into decision-ready options, tradeoffs, and recommendations for the PM. Surface risks early with recommended courses of action, and escalate issues requiring PM judgment. Additonally, the Portfolio Lead will be responsible for portfolio integration across programs, and engage with senior stakeholders and performers.

Qualifications

Required:

PhD in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline (e.g., Pharmacology, Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Biomedical Engineering, or related field).15+ years of progressively responsible experience in biomedical research, technical program management, and/or science and technology policy, including significant experience in the Federal government, DoD, or DARPA environments.

Demonstrated experience providing senior technical and strategic advisory support to government program managers or senior leadership in a science and technology (S&T) organization.

Proven track record of leading and integrating complex technical portfolios—including program formulation, technical evaluation, and cross-program integration—within a high-tempo, multi-stakeholder environment.

Extensive experience in technical writing, briefing, and communication, including the ability to distill and present complex scientific and technical concepts to both expert and non-expert audiences.

Experience managing and mentoring technical teams, including task delegation, onboarding, and process improvement.

Demonstrated ability to engage and coordinate with senior government, interagency, and external stakeholders (e.g., FDA, DoD, DARPA, NIH, academic and industry partners) on technical, policy,…