Nuclear Stockpile Stewardship Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Position Summary:

ANSER is seeking an experienced Nuclear Stockpile Stewardship Subject Matter Expert (SME) to support the Air Force Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategic Deterrence and Nuclear Integration (AF/A10).  In this role, you will serve as a primary advisor on matters related to the sustainment, safety, security, and reliability of the U.S. nuclear stockpile. You will provide critical technical and analytical support across policy development, program oversight, and stakeholder coordination within the nuclear enterprise.

This position is full-time onsite within the National Capital Region, including the Pentagon and Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling in Washington, DC.

Day to Day Responsibilities

• Serve as the government’s primary point of contact and provide guidance on all nuclear stockpile stewardship requirements.
• Provide subject matter expertise on the current and projected nuclear stockpile, including warheads, bombs, and associated delivery systems, across National, DoD, Joint, and Service levels.
• Review, analyze, and recommend actions related to nuclear stockpile sustainment, life extension programs, and modernization initiatives.
• Coordinate with key stakeholders across DoD and non-DoD organizations, including the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), Joint Staff, Navy, National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), national laboratories, and production facilities.
• Support the annual Nuclear Weapons Stockpile Memorandum (NWSM) process and contribute to the development of the Stockpile Stewardship and Management Plan (SSMP).
• Assess nuclear weapon system development, acquisition, and operational deployment to ensure alignment with national strategy and stockpile requirements.
• Participate in technical discussions, working groups, conferences, and other forums to represent Air Force equities within the nuclear enterprise.
• Analyze and interpret nuclear weapons effects data, test results, and scientific assessments to inform Air Force policy and operational planning.

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret (TS) security clearance with eligibility for Sensitive Compartmented Information (SCI).
• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, political science, national security studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 15 years of professional experience in national security.
• Demonstrated knowledge of nuclear stockpile stewardship requirements across National, DoD, Joint, and Service levels.
• Experience coordinating with DoD and non-DoD organizations involved in the nuclear enterprise, including nuclear weapons systems and stockpile management.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in complex environments with multiple stakeholders and points of contact.
• Demonstrated experience developing executive-level briefings and drafting informational, point, white, and decision papers, as well as preparing senior leaders for public engagements.
• Familiarity with the DoD and NNSA Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process as it relates to the nuclear enterprise.

Understanding of nuclear weapon system lifecycle phases, from concept development through dismantlement.