Assessments Subject Matter Expert; SME

Assessments Subject Matter Expert (SME)

USSOCOM Directorate

Tampa, FL | TS/SCI Required

Full-Time | On-Site Position

Salary: $130,000 (Fixed)

Kinetic Concepts is seeking a senior-level Assessments SME to support a USSOCOM Directorate. The position also serves as a liaison to the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD(SO/LIC)), supporting coordination and communication between USSOCOM and senior Department of Defense stakeholders. This role supports capability development and experimentation efforts focused on:

• Experimentation planning and assessment
• Operational concept evaluation
• Technology transition assessment
• Capability gap analysis
• Integration of commercially derived innovation into SOF war fighting capabilities

This position operates in a classified environment and directly informs senior decision-makers on modernization and capability development priorities.

• This is a full-time, on-site position located in Tampa, Florida.
• No remote work. No hybrid schedule.
• Work is performed inside government facilities in classified environments.
• Relocation assistance is NOT provided.
• Candidates must already reside in the Tampa area or be willing to relocate at their own expense.
• Applicants seeking remote arrangements or relocation packages should not apply.

• $130,000 annual salary (fixed).
• This position is not eligible for salary negotiation.
• No relocation assistance is provided.
• Standard company benefits apply.

Experimentation Integration & Assessment

• Integrate material and non-material proposals into experimentation, demonstration, and exercise events
• Utilize structured design-of-experiments methodologies to ensure rigor and credibility
• Develop data collection and assessment plans
• Build and execute Military Utilization Assessments for emerging capabilities
• Assess transition viability into Programs of Record

Capability & Gap Assessment

• Identify and document operational capability gaps aligned with SOCOM priorities
• Conduct structured capability gap analysis with mitigation recommendations
• Apply experimentation outcomes to validated SOF operational deficiencies
• Coordinate with intelligence and threat assessment personnel to inform capability development

Operational Concept & Requirements Support

• Draft and edit capability documents (CONOPS, operational concepts, TTP revisions)
• Support use case validation at TS/SCI level
• Translate experimentation findings into acquisition or concept refinement recommendations
• Contribute to white papers, information papers, RFIs, and senior decision briefs

Liaison Officer (LNO) Support

• Serve as liaison between USSOCOM and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD(SO/LIC)).
• Facilitate coordination, information exchange, and strategic alignment between USSOCOM capability development activities and OSD-level stakeholders.
• Support senior leader engagements, briefings, and information exchanges with ASD(SO/LIC) staff and other Department of Defense organizations.
• Prepare briefing materials, information papers, and analytical products supporting senior-level decision making.
• Conduct periodic travel to Washington, D.C. to support liaison activities and coordination meetings.

Stakeholder Coordination

• Synchronize efforts with:

• Operational users
• Capability development leadership
• S&T community
• Acquisition stakeholders
• Joint and Combatant Command representatives (as required)

• Participate in operational planning teams (OPTs), working groups, and technical review boards
• Conduct site surveys and support planning conferences

Reporting & Deliverables

• Contribute to Monthly Status Reports
• Contribute to Quarterly Reports summarizing progress toward closing capability gaps
• Produce Trip Reports following official travel
• Maintain experimentation support logs

• Active Top-Secret clearance
• SCI eligibility required

10+ years' experience in one or more of the following

• SOF operational planning
• Joint experimentation
• Developmental or Operational Test & Evaluation
• Capability-based assessments
• Warfighting concept development
• Experience integrating advanced capabilities into exercises or demonstrations
• Experience drafting formal assessments for senior military audiences
• Experience serving in a liaison, action officer, or coordination role with senior DoD organizations (e.g., OSD, Joint Staff, Combatant Command headquarters) is highly desired.
• Bachelor’s Degree required (advanced degree preferred)

• Experience supporting military service capability development experimentation

Experience with:

• Joint Exercise Life Cycle
• Capability Development processes
• Gap analysis
• Emerging war fighting domains (AI/ML, UAS, EW, Cyber, Space, Fires, Maritime)
• Familiarity with experimentation in contested/A2AD environments
• Experience working within matrixed staff environments

• On-site at USSOCOM facilities
• Access to NIPR/SIPR/JWICS in government…