Strategic Materials Subject Matter Expert

USFS is an ISO 9001 management consulting firm with headquarters in the National Capital Region and offices and staff in 12 US states.  USFS staff average 10+ years of professional experience, over 80 percent of our staff have bachelor’s degrees, and over half have advanced degrees in business and technology. USFS was founded in 2010 and provides financial management, acquisition management, program management, and data analytic support services to federal and state governments.

Overview

We are looking for a Strategic Materials Subject Matter Expert to support the Defense Logistics Agency’s (DLA) Small Business Innovation Program (SBIP). In this role, you will apply your expertise in critical and strategic materials to review cutting-edge R&D projects, advise program leadership, and help reduce U.S. reliance on foreign sources of supply. This position combines technical depth with the opportunity to influence national security initiatives in supply chain resilience and advanced materials.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct technical reviews of R&D projects in areas such as strategic and critical materials, rare earths recycling, and industrial base assessments.
• Advise DLA program managers on technical requirements and emerging opportunities within the strategic materials portfolio.
• Provide expert guidance to resolve SBIR/STTR project challenges and ensure program success.
• Develop innovative methods, solutions, and approaches to address complex defense industrial base issues.
• Prepare and deliver briefings, reports, and recommendations to government stakeholders.
• Coordinate activities across multiple projects to maximize results while managing cost and schedule.
• Support senior advisors, contract administrators, and program managers as assigned.

Why Join

This is a chance to apply your technical expertise to projects with real-world impact on U.S. defense and supply chain security. You’ll work with government leaders, program managers, and researchers to advance solutions in critical and strategic materials that shape the future of national resilience.

Qualifications

Required:

• Master’s degree in science, engineering, or a related technical field.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in strategic and critical materials, recycling, or industrial base assessments.
• Active IT-II security clearance or current National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC).

Preferred:

• Master’s degree with 7+ years of relevant technical experience, or a Doctorate with 4+ years.
• Experience working with SBIR/STTR programs.
• Proven record of developing innovative solutions for complex technical or programmatic challenges.