Behavioral Science Task Leader​/Senior Contributor

Key Responsibilities

• Lead teams to develop assessment items, instruments, and research protocols.
• Direct statistical analysis of behavioral and assessment data.
• Ensure quality and defensibility of testing methodologies.
• Oversee documentation, study execution, and research compliance.
• Coordinate work across multidisciplinary technical teams.

• Education: Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Educational Measurement, Cognitive Science, Human Factors, or related behavioral science field, plus 15 years of related work experience
  OR a Master’s degree in a behavioral science field plus 12 years of related work experience
  OR a Ph.D. in a behavioral science field plus 10 years of related work experience.
• Experience:
  • Experience in applied behavioral science, test development, psychometrics, large‑scale research programs.
  • Demonstrated experience leading test development teams, content review panels, or multidisciplinary research groups.
  • Experience supporting high‑stakes testing programs, preferably within the federal government, military, or national assessment organizations.
  • Strong background in designing and executing validation studies, psychometric analyses, survey development, and instrument evaluation.
  • Experience developing technical reports, test specifications, scoring plans, and supporting documentation aligned to APA/AERA/NCME standards.
  • Experience coordinating with IT, psychometrics, data science, and operational stakeholders to integrate behavioral science requirements into broader system workflows.
• Skills:
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
  • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
  • Demonstrated ability to work independently as a member or leader of a team.
  • Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and manage own work and the work of others.
  • Demonstrated commitment to meeting high standards for product and service quality.
  • Desire to learn and develop inventive methods that respond to client needs.
  • Ability to lead assessment development, research activities, measurement strategies, and methodological decision‑making with a high degree of scientific rigor.
  • Competency in leading the development of constructs, specifications, items, forms, scoring rubrics, surveys, and supporting materials from conception to operational readiness.
  • Ability to manage timelines, deliverables, data workflows, and staff assignments while ensuring quality and compliance with accepted testing standards.
  • Demonstrated ability to translate complex technical and scientific concepts for multiple audiences, including senior leaders, operational personnel, and other technical domains.
  • Skill in reviewing research plans, analytic outputs, test materials, and technical documentation to ensure completeness, defensibility, and accuracy.
• Security Clearance: Must possess or be able to obtain a DoD Common Access Card (CAC) and successfully complete a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check and a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI) check. US Citizenship is required.
• Location: This position is eligible for 75% remote work with occasional on‑site work as required by customer and/or contract needs. Candidate must be located or willing to relocate within commuting distance of Seaside, CA.

• Experience working with or within the DoD.
• Familiarity with DTAC and its mission and objectives.
• Familiarity with DoD or federal personnel testing, recruiting, or classification processes.
• Knowledge of military accession, recruiting, and classification processes.
• Experience with Human Subjects Protection, IRB/OMB reviews, and research compliance.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.