Senior Blast Analyst (Subject Matter Expert)

Senior Blast Analyst (SME)

The Senior Blast Analyst (SME) is a critical position responsible for providing expert-level analysis of blast effects, injury biomechanics, and data modeling to inform the development of injury prevention and mitigation strategies for the Department of Defense (DoD). This role directly supports the mission of the DoD Blast Injury Research Coordinating Office (BIRCO) and the Joint Trauma Analysis and Prevention of Injury in Combat (JTAPIC) Program by linking operational, materiel, and medical data to survivability and acquisition decisions.

The duties of the Senior Blast Analyst (SME) are centered around the three core competencies required for the position:

I. Expertise in Blast Mechanics and Injury Analysis

• Advanced Injury Analysis: Conduct in-depth analysis of combat and training events by integrating operational, intelligence, materiel, and medical data to determine the precise mechanism of blast-related injury (primary, secondary, tertiary, etc.)
• Biomechanics Research: Apply expert knowledge of blast wave physics and human biomechanics to predict injury patterns and the physiological response to blast exposure, including assessment of traumatic brain injury (TBI) and organ damage
• Computational Modeling: Develop, execute, and validate computational and experimental models of the human body's response to blast, ballistic, and impact events to advance injury prediction capabilities

II. Support to Creating Blast Injury Mitigation Strategy

• Mitigation Strategy Development: Provide technical SME support to the development and refinement of DoD-wide blast injury prevention and mitigation standards, such as the Military Health System Blast Injury Prevention Standards Recommendation (MHS BIPSR) Process
• Protective Systems Evaluation: Analyze blast phenomena and protective equipment (PPE, vehicular/structural systems) performance data to recommend improvements in materiel solutions and engineering controls (e.g., blast shields, standoff distances)
• Exposure Tracking: Support the development and implementation of procedures for tracking and managing Blast Overpressure (BOP) exposures during training and operations to reduce long-term neurocognitive risk to Service Members

III. Data Modeling and Analysis for Technical Reporting and RDA Input

• Data Aggregation and Integration: Lead the effort to integrate complex, disparate data sources (including medical records, operational reports, and forensic materiel analysis) to create cohesive and actionable datasets for injury analysis (JTAPIC mission)
• Technical Reporting: Author and contribute high-quality technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and detailed Casualty Operating and Injury Reports (COIRs) that synthesize findings and recommendations for military leadership and the acquisition community
• Modeling and Simulation (M&S) and RDA Input: Design and maintain data models (conceptual, logical, physical) necessary to support M&S activities, and ensure robust Risk Data Aggregation (RDA) capabilities to inform survivability models, vehicle/equipment development, and acquisition milestone decisions

Necessary Skills and Knowledge:

• Expertise in blast mechanics, wave dynamics, shock physics, and terminal ballistics
• Demonstrated experience in injury biomechanics research with a focus on blunt force trauma, blast lung, and Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
• Advanced proficiency in computational analysis, including Finite Element Analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and statistical modeling software (e.g., MATLAB, Python, R)
• Experience with high-rate data acquisition systems, signal processing, and sensor systems used in blast and impact testing
• Strong understanding of DoD RDT&E processes, the BIRCO/JTAPIC mission, and the challenges associated with military injury data collection and integration
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, specifically for communicating complex technical findings to multidisciplinary teams, military leaders, and non-technical stakeholders

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master's degree in Biomedical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related technical field
• Minimum 8 years of progressive experience in blast or impact injury research and analysis, with at least 3 years functioning in a Subject Matter Expert (SME) capacity
• Proven experience in data modeling and technical reporting for a federal defense or research client
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD security clearance

Preferred Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Engineering, Physics, or Biomechanics
• Prior experience working directly with the BIRCO and/or JTAPIC organization or their data sets (e.g., JDE, JMEL, COIRs)
• Demonstrated success in leading technical aspects of proposals related to blast injury mitigation
• Ability to obtain U.S. Security Clearance (e.g., Secret or higher)

Pay and Benefits

The salary range for this position is $110,000.00 to $135,000.00 annually. At Goldbelt, we value and reward our team's dedication and hard work. We provide a competitive base salary commensurate with your qualifications and experience. As an employee, you'll enjoy a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, and vision insurance, a 401(k) plan with company matching, tax-deferred savings options, supplementary benefits, paid time off, and professional development opportunities.