R&D Planning, Advocacy, and Prototyping Specialist

WiSC Enterprises is seeking a skilled R&D Planning, Advocacy, and Prototyping Specialist to support critical research and development initiatives. This position requires a strategic thinker with deep technical expertise and experience developing and advancing emerging technology solutions. The selected candidate will play a key role in identifying new R&D opportunities, supporting proposal development, and transitioning prototypes into operational use.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide subject matter expertise to evaluate, prioritize, and support execution of advanced R&D initiatives

• Plan and manage R&D programs, including requirements gathering, system design, testing strategies, milestone development, scheduling, and cost estimation

• Support acquisition planning and contract strategy development for new sensors, data processing, analysis, or delivery capabilities

• Develop and present R&D proposals and technical briefings to secure stakeholder or sponsor advocacy and funding

• Advise on the integration and transition of prototypes into real-world operating environments

• Collaborate with engineering teams, acquisition personnel, and mission stakeholders to align technical objectives with operational needs

• Contribute to the development of documentation, white papers, and status updates in support of R&D efforts

• Leading complex project engineering and scientific teams engaged across one or more disciplines
• Performing research and development on Command and Control (C2) or Information Technology (IT) systems
• Guiding the design, modification, maintenance, and/or construction of specialized buildings, facilities, systems, and associated assets
• Overseeing evaluation of the feasibility, utility, and implementation issues associated with use of new technologies and potential impacts on system or infrastructure development
• Developing and presenting briefings to senior customer personnel

Required Qualifications

• Clearance: Active TS/SCI required at the time of application

• Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree with 12+ years of experience supporting DoD and/or other Government systems engineering activities in lieu of a degree. OR 
  • Master’s degree with 10+ years of experience supporting DoD and/or other Government systems engineering activities in lieu of a degree.

• Experience:

  • 18+ years of experience supporting DoD and/or other Government systems engineering activities in lieu of a degree.

  • Experience with systems engineering, technical requirements analysis, system lifecycle planning, or T&E (Test & Evaluation)

  • Demonstrated success in developing technical proposals or white papers for government funding and advocacy

  • Familiarity with transitioning prototypes into operational or production environments

• Skills:

  • Excellent written and oral communication skills, including the ability to brief technical and executive-level stakeholders

  • Strong understanding of acquisition lifecycles, R&D funding processes, and prototyping methodologies

  • Ability to work both independently and as part of a cross-functional, collaborative team

  • Experience with hardware, software, binary data structures, networking topology and network protocols
  • Experience supporting Intelligence Community (IC) customer (highly preferred)
  • Self-motivated, detail oriented, responsible team player able to work independently with minimal daily direction
  • Ability to work and interact with technically and organizationally diverse personnel