Senior Subject Matter Expert (SME-CE)

***Must have an active DOE Q clearance. Active, meaning the individual granted a clearance is briefed and currently occupies a position for which the clearance is required.***

Leidos is seeking Senior Subject Matter Experts (SME-CE) to provide high-level technical, strategic, and integration expertise in support of the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) and the Nuclear Security Enterprise (NSE). These positions support enterprise efforts to identify, assess, and mitigate risks to the nuclear weapons stockpile and associated research, development, design, production, testing, and sustainment capabilities. Selected candidates will serve as senior technical authorities and trusted advisors, providing independent expertise, enterprise integration insight, and facilitation support across NNSA federal offices, national laboratories, production agencies, and Department of Defense (DoD) stakeholders. Depending on expertise and mission alignment, candidates may support one or more enterprise-level initiatives related to risk management, mission assurance, integration effectiveness, or cross-organizational performance improvement. This role requires a deeply experienced professional with strong enterprise awareness and demonstrated ability to operate effectively at senior leadership levels within classified national security environments. The successful candidate is a recognized expert in relevant mission areas, capable of synthesizing complex technical and programmatic information and delivering actionable recommendations that strengthen enterprise integration, assurance, and mission performance.

This is a full-time contractor-support position located on-site at NNSA offices in Albuquerque, NM. Level and compensation will be commensurate with experience, expertise, and mission scope.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Serve as a senior technical authority providing subject matter expertise related to nuclear weapons enterprise risk, assurance, integration, and mission execution.
• Advise federal leadership on enterprise-level challenges, emerging risks, and cross-organizational integration issues.
• Provide independent assessments of technical, programmatic, and operational initiatives affecting the Nuclear Security Enterprise.
• Support development of strategic communications, executive briefings, white papers, reports, and technical memoranda for senior and executive leadership.
• Participate in and facilitate inter-organizational working groups involving NNSA, national laboratories, production agencies, and DoD stakeholders.
• Provide expert insight on policies, processes, and mission assurance measures to improve enterprise effectiveness.
• Support formal tracking and response to Defense Programs, DoD, and Congressional actions and inquiries as assigned.
• Evaluate integration effectiveness, identify systemic gaps, and recommend improvements to enterprise processes.
• Engage with interdisciplinary teams of senior technical experts to anticipate threats and proactively strengthen enterprise posture.
• Operate effectively in classified and unclassified environments while ensuring compliance with applicable policies and security requirements.

Requirements:

• Active DOE Q clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (STEM discipline preferred).
• Extensive experience supporting DOE, NNSA, DoD, national laboratories, or comparable national security environments.
• Demonstrated expertise in nuclear weapons programs, enterprise assurance, integration, risk management, or closely related mission areas.
• Significant experience operating in classified environments supporting national security programs.
• Proven ability to advise and interact with senior federal officials, military leadership, and executive stakeholders.
• Demonstrated experience contributing as a senior member of interdisciplinary technical teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of materials for senior and executive leadership.
• Strong analytical, facilitation, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint).

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

February 26, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

Pay Range -

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.