Senior Acquisition SME — Mission Modernization

Agile Defense•Arlington, VA

10h•Onsite

About The Position

Agile Defense is seeking a Senior Acquisition SME to support software acquisition modernization efforts across operational mission environments within the Department of Defense. This role will serve as a senior acquisition modernization specialist focused on accelerating mission capability delivery through adaptive acquisition strategies, transition planning, modernization enablement, and cross-functional coordination supporting complex software-intensive environments. This opportunity is focused on helping operational stakeholders and technical teams navigate modern software acquisition approaches, rapid capability delivery efforts, and transition pathways supporting mission-focused modernization initiatives. The Senior Acquisition SME will work closely with operational users, technical modernization teams, acquisition organizations, and enterprise stakeholders to help bridge the gap between mission needs, acquisition execution, and sustainable modernization outcomes. The ideal candidate combines deep acquisition and modernization experience with strong operational awareness, stakeholder engagement skills, and the ability to operate effectively in fast-moving, ambiguous environments. They are comfortable developing modernization strategies, supporting adaptive acquisition approaches, and helping accelerate software-enabled mission capabilities across complex operational settings. As part of Agile Defense’s broader modernization ecosystem, this role will contribute to the development of reusable acquisition playbooks, modernization frameworks, and transition strategies supporting future mission growth and distributed modernization initiatives across defense organizations.

Requirements

10+ years of experience across DoD acquisition, software-intensive program management, contracting, modernization strategy, or defense technology delivery environments
3+ years in a senior acquisition, modernization, or operational support role supporting software-focused initiatives
Experience supporting adaptive acquisition approaches, software modernization efforts, or rapid capability delivery initiatives within operational or regulated environments
Strong understanding of software acquisition modernization principles, transition planning, budgeting considerations, and modernization execution challenges
Ability to translate operational and organizational challenges into actionable acquisition strategies and modernization approaches
Experience working across operational stakeholders, acquisition organizations, and technical delivery teams within fast-moving mission environments
Strong communication, stakeholder engagement, and cross-functional coordination skills
Secret Clearance, Must Have Clearance to Start

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting software modernization initiatives within Combatant Command, joint, or operational defense environments
Familiarity with modern software acquisition approaches, rapid capability delivery models, or non-traditional acquisition environments
Experience supporting software transition planning, operational modernization initiatives, or mission-focused technology efforts
Familiarity with software factories, innovation organizations, modernization ecosystems, or transformation-focused defense initiatives
Exposure to AI/ML-enabled operational workflows, software modernization efforts, or data-centric mission environments preferred
DAWIA certification or equivalent acquisition/program experience preferred

Responsibilities

Support software acquisition modernization initiatives focused on accelerating mission capability delivery within complex operational environments
Develop acquisition strategies, transition approaches, and modernization pathways supporting agile software delivery and long-term sustainment objectives
Help align acquisition, budgeting, operational, and technical activities supporting modernization acceleration efforts
Support modernization efforts involving adaptive acquisition approaches, rapid capability delivery, software transition planning, and operational integration
Partner with operational stakeholders, technical teams, and modernization leaders to identify and address acquisition barriers impacting mission delivery timelines
Support cross-functional modernization engagements involving software delivery acceleration, transition planning, and modernization strategy development
Coordinate closely with distributed technical teams and enterprise modernization partners supporting geographically dispersed mission environments
Provide executive-level reporting on acquisition modernization efforts, operational risks, transition considerations, and mission support activities
Develop reusable acquisition playbooks, modernization guidance, and transition frameworks supporting scalable mission modernization efforts across distributed operational environments
Translate operational acquisition lessons learned into enterprise modernization recommendations and reusable acquisition best practices
Support Agile Defense modernization initiatives focused on improving software acquisition execution, modernization scalability, and mission delivery responsiveness
Contribute to long-term modernization strategy efforts supporting future mission growth across additional defense organizations and operational environments

Benefits

Employees of Agile Defense are our number one priority, and the importance we place on our culture here is fundamental.
Our culture is alive and evolving, but it always stays true to its roots.
Here, you are valued as a family member, and we believe that we can accomplish great things together.
Agile Defense has been highly successful in the past few years due to our employees and the culture we create together.
Happy - Be Infectious.
Helpful - Be Supportive.
Honest - Be Trustworthy.
Humble - Be Grounded.
Hungry - Be Eager.
Hustle - Be Driven.