Technical Consultant (Government)

Business Unit: Government Solutions

Location: Fairfax County, Virginia; On-site

Security Clearance: Active Top Secret/SCI Required

Travel: 0-25%

Compensation: $145,000–$175,000 base salary, plus performance-based bonus eligibility and up to a $6,000 signing bonuscommensurate with experience, qualifications, and clearance.

About Black Marlin Defense

Black Marlin Defense is a maritime consultancy helping founders, investors, and government organizations make better-informed decisions across the maritime ecosystem. The Government Solutions unit supports defense organizations in evaluating, integrating, and transitioning advanced maritime and related technologies through technical analysis, operational planning, experimentation, and strategic advisory services.

Our work spans autonomous systems, contested logistics, long-range precision fires, maritime infrastructure, undersea systems, artificial intelligence, and next-generation defense technologies. The Government Solutions unit operates where operational experience, technical expertise, and strategic decision-making intersect.

Position Summary

Black Marlin Defense is seeking a Technical Consultant to support a Department of War client across maritime and joint force initiatives. This role provides analytical, technical, and strategic support to senior government leaders, program offices, and operational organizations responsible for developing, evaluating, and fielding emerging capabilities.

Successful candidates will help shape prototype demonstrations, operational experimentation, capability assessments, acquisition strategies, and executive-level decision support while working alongside military operators, engineers, and government civilians.

This position is ideal for professionals who enjoy solving complex national security problems at the intersection of technology, operations, and strategy.

Responsibilities

• Provide analytical, technical, and strategic support to Department of War Research, Development, Test & Evaluation (RDT&E) and Prototyping & Engineering (P&E) initiatives.


• Develop executive briefings, technical reports, white papers, and decision-support products for senior government leadership.


• Support the planning and execution of prototype demonstrations, operational experiments, and live-fire events.


• Conduct research and analysis on emerging technologies and their operational applications.


• Collaborate with engineers, military operators, acquisition professionals, and industry partners to develop practical solutions to complex defense challenges.


• Participate in technical interchange meetings, requirements development, and capability assessments.


• Translate technical concepts into actionable recommendations for operational and acquisition stakeholders.


• Support client engagements across the National Capital Region and at other government locations as required.

Desired Experience

Candidates should possess experience in several of the following areas:

Maritime and Operational Domains

• Maritime operations


• Naval warfare systems


• Undersea warfare


• Special operations


• Multi-domain operations


• Naval Surface Warfare Centers

Advanced Capabilities and Mission Systems

• Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2)


• Long-range precision fires


• Integrated air and missile defense


• Autonomous and unmanned systems


• Containerized weapon systems


• Combat systems


• Tactical data links

Test, Acquisition, and Program Support

• Live-fire testing and operational experimentation


• Defense acquisition


• Program management


• Programmatic financial management mechanisms

Required Qualifications

• Active Top Secret/SCI security clearance.


• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Physical Sciences, Mathematics, Operations Research or Analysis, or another technical discipline.


• Five or more years of military, government, FFRDC, or defense consulting experience.


• Demonstrated ability to analyze complex technical and operational issues and communicate findings to senior decision-makers.


• Experience preparing executive-level briefings, reports, and presentations.


• Strong written and verbal communication skills.


• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced client environment.


• Familiarity with Department of War organizations, acquisition processes, or program management.


• Ability to travel up to 25% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Systems Engineering, Nuclear Engineering, Operations Research, or a related field.


• Experience supporting rapid prototyping, Other Transaction Authorities, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity contracts, SBIR/STTR programs, experimentation, Program of Record transitions, FYDP planning, or technology transition efforts.


• Previous experience with NAVSEA, NSWC, OUSW, SCO, DARPA, DIU, RCO, SOCOM, SMUs, or the Joint Staff.

Compensation & Growth

Salary range of $145,000–$175,000, commensurate with experience, qualifications, and clearance.

Up to a $6,000 signing bonus, payable after the employee begins work at the client site and successfully completes 90 days of employment.

Eligibility for performance-based bonuses tied to individual contribution, client impact, and growth of the Government Solutions business unit.

As an early member of a growing consultancy, the Technical Consultant will have the opportunity to help shape the business unit, contribute to company development, and assume increasing leadership responsibilities as the firm grows.

Why Black Marlin Defense

At Black Marlin Defense, our mission is to build the nation’s premier boutique maritime advisory and consulting practice. We are growing fast because our team works directly with decision-makers to solve some of the Department of War’s most challenging maritime and national security problems.

We combine operational experience, engineering rigor, and strategic thinking to accelerate the transition of advanced technologies into operational capability.

Unlike larger consulting firms, our professionals have direct client engagement and the opportunity to influence programs from concept through execution.