Technical Advisor – Shock Physics & Terminal Effects

Location: National Capital Region (On-site)

Experience: MS or PhD & 3-8 years relevant experience

Clearance: U.S. Citizenship & Active Top Secret (TS) Clearance Required

Anticipated Start Date: Mid-to-Late Summer 2026 (Flexible)

We are seeking a highly capable Technical Advisor to provide system-level expertise in shock physics, hypervelocity impact, and terminal effects for high-priority hypersonic and advanced interceptor programs.

In this role, you will not execute modeling yourself, but instead guide and evaluate the work of performers conducting computational and experimental analyses of lethality and target interaction. You will operate at the intersection of physics, materials, and weapon system design – ensuring that complex high-strain-rate phenomena are correctly translated into credible, decision-relevant assessments of system effectiveness.

This position supports Department of War technology investment efforts, with direct influence on how next-generation kinetic defeat mechanisms are modeled, validated, and ultimately fielded.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical oversight of performer-led efforts in shock physics, terminal ballistics, and hypervelocity impact modeling, ensuring analytical approaches are physically sound and aligned with program objectives
• Evaluate hydrocode-based modeling and associated assumptions, limitations, and uncertainties
• Translate detailed physics outputs (e.g., penetration, spall, fragmentation, material response) into system-level lethality assessments and design implications
• Identify gaps between modeling and reality, and shape strategies for experimental validation and model anchoring
• Drive resolution of complex lethality and penetration challenges across target sets and material regimes
• Integrate lethality considerations into broader system trade spaces, including trajectory, guidance, structures, and mission objectives
• Interface across government, FFRDCs, and industry performers to ensure technical alignment and progress toward program milestones
• Develop clear, defensible technical narratives and brief senior decisionmakers on risks, limitations, and investment tradeoffs

Qualifications:

• Education: Master’s degree (MS) in Physics, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Materials Science, or a related field strongly preferred. Ph.D. common in this domain. Exceptional candidates without an advanced degree may be considered.
• Experience: Approximately 3–8 years of experience in applied shock physics, terminal effects, or closely related high-strain-rate disciplines
• Demonstrated hands-on experience performing the underlying technical work (computational and/or experimental), with the ability to critically evaluate similar work performed by others

Core Competencies:

• Ability to operate at both deep technical and system-integration levels
• Strong judgment in assessing model validity, limitations, and applicability to real-world systems
• Ability to translate complex physical phenomena into clear, actionable insights for non-specialist stakeholders
• Comfort operating in ambiguous, fast-moving, multi-stakeholder environments
• Strong written and verbal communication skills

Desired Technical Expertise

Candidates should demonstrate strength in several of the following areas:

• Computational Shock Physics: Experience with hydrocodes and modeling of high-strain-rate material response under extreme conditions
• Terminal Effects & Lethality: Understanding of penetration mechanics, fragmentation, spall, and kinetic defeat mechanisms
• Material Behavior Under Extreme Conditions: Familiarity with equations of state (EOS), phase transitions, and dynamic failure across metals, ceramics, and composites
• Model Validation & Testing: Experience connecting simulation to experimental data or designing validation approaches
• System-Level Thinking: Ability to connect physics-level phenomena to weapon system performance and mission outcomes
• Programmatic Awareness: Exposure to managing or overseeing technical work within defense or advanced R&D programs