Position Details
Position Information
Announcement Number STAFF - VA - 27102
For questions regarding this position, please contact:
Hilja Heinrich
hilja.heinrich@montana.edu
406-994-6152
Classification Title Program/Project Lead
Working Title Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) Subject Matter Expert
Brief Position Overview
The IV&V Subject Matter Expert leads independent test and evaluation activities for technologies engaging with the Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Montana, across all technology domains represented in the Hub's portfolio (autonomy, aviation, space, communications, materials, and related capability areas). The role designs and executes verification and validation plans against defense mission requirements, assesses regulatory readiness under FCC and FAA frameworks, and provides independent, evidence-based assessments to DoW stakeholders, Hub leadership, and participating companies on whether a given technology is ready to advance toward defense transition.
Position Number 4C9751
Department Inst National Security Rrsch & Ed
Division Office of Research and Economic Development
Appointment Type Professional
Contract Term Fiscal Year
Semester
If other, specify From date
If other, specify End date
FLSA Exempt
Union Affiliation Exempt from Collective Bargaining
FTE 1.0
Benefits Eligible Eligible
Salary Salary commensurate with experience, education, and qualifications.
Contract Type LOA
If other, please specify
Recruitment Type Open
Position Details
General Statement
The Defense Innovation OnRamp Hub: Montana, anchored on the Montana State University Innovation Campus in Bozeman, serves as a regional front door connecting non-traditional, dual-use, and commercial technology companies to the Department of War. Situated at the center of Montana's fast-growing defense, aerospace, and advanced manufacturing ecosystem, the Hub gives Montana researchers and businesses a direct line to Defense Innovation Unit ( DIU ) mission partners, operational test environments, and nearly $1 billion in annual DIU funding across aviation, space, autonomy, materials, and climate-resilient technology portfolios.
As the Hub scales its pipeline of commercial technologies toward defense adoption, it needs an Independent Verification & Validation (IV&V) Subject Matter Expert who can rigorously assess whether emerging technologies actually meet defense mission requirements before they reach a warfighter. This is not a compliance-checkbox role. It requires someone who understands how DoW missions are executed operationally, can translate mission requirements into testable criteria, and can independently validate that a company's claims hold up under realistic conditions. Because Montana's technology base is heavily weighted toward aviation, autonomy, and spectrum-dependent systems (uncrewed aircraft, counter- UAS , space and communications platforms) this individual must also be fluent in the Federal Communication Commission ( FCC ) spectrum, licensing, and emissions requirements and Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) airspace, airworthiness, and flight-test requirements that govern whether these technologies can legally and safely operate at all, in addition to whether they perform. This dual fluency, defense mission validation paired with FCC / FAA regulatory literacy, is what allows the Hub to move technologies from promising demonstrations to fieldable, mission-ready capability.
This position is central to the Hub's credibility with both DoW mission partners and the commercial companies it serves: DoW needs confidence that technologies surfaced through the Hub have been independently and rigorously tested, and companies need an evaluator who understands the full regulatory landscape they must navigate to transition from proto@type to program of record.
Duties and Responsibilities
Design and execute independent verification and validation (IV&V) plans, test procedures, and evaluation criteria for technologies across multiple domains (autonomy, aviation, space, communications, materials, and other capability areas as the Hub's portfolio grows).
Translate defense mission requirements into measurable, testable success criteria in coordination with DoW mission partners and DIU program leads.
Assess technology readiness against applicable FCC requirements, including spectrum allocation, licensing, and RF emissions, for systems involving wireless communications, sensing, or data links.
Assess technology readiness against applicable FAA requirements, including airspace authorization, airworthiness, Part 107/ COA processes, and flight-test safety, for uncrewed and crewed aviation systems.
Serve as an independent, objective voice in test planning and readiness reviews, identifying gaps, risks, and non-conformance issues before technologies advance to DoW stakeholders.
Produce clear, defensible IV&V reports and readiness assessments for Hub leadership, DIU , and DoW mission partners.
Advise participating companies on defense mission requirements and regulatory pathways, helping non-traditional and commercial vendors understand what 'defense-ready' actually requires.
Coordinate with Montana State University research programs, regional test ranges, and other Hub partners to identify and leverage available test infrastructure.
Maintain current knowledge of evolving DoW acquisition, test, and evaluation policy, as well as FCC and FAA regulatory changes affecting dual-use technology.
Required Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Bachelor's degree in engineering, systems engineering, physics, or a related STEM field, or equivalent professional experience.
Minimum 7 years of experience in test and evaluation (T&E) or independent verification and validation (IV&V), including direct support to defense-related missions.
Demonstrated understanding of how DoW mission requirements are developed, translated into technical specifications, and validated through operational and developmental testing.
Direct Department of War experience, such as prior service, DoW civilian service, or contractor support to a DoW T&E, acquisition, or operational organization.
Working knowledge of Federal Communication Commission ( FCC ) requirements relevant to defense and dual-use technologies, including spectrum management, licensing, and RF emissions compliance.
Working knowledge of Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) requirements relevant to defense and dual-use aviation technologies, including airspace integration, airworthiness standards, and UAS /flight-test authorization processes.
Preferred Qualifications - Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills
Master's degree in engineering, systems engineering, or a related technical field.
Active DoW Secret or higher clearance at time of hire.
Professional certification such as DAU -issued T&E/acquisition certification, INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional ( CSEP ), or equivalent.
Prior experience with the Defense Innovation Unit ( DIU ), Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer ( SBIR / STTR ), Other Transaction Authority ( OTA ), or similar rapid acquisition and technology transition pathways.
Hands-on IV&V or T&E experience with autonomous systems, uncrewed aircraft systems ( UAS ), counter- UAS , space systems, or advanced communications platforms.
The Successful Candidate Will
Demonstrated ability to plan and execute test and evaluation activities across multiple technology domains rather than a single system @type.
Strong technical writing and briefing skills, with the ability to communicate independent findings clearly to both government and commercial audiences.
Eligibility to obtain and maintain a DoW Secret clearance; U.S. citizenship required.
Familiarity with cybersecurity assessment and authorization processes ( RMF / ATO ) as they apply to technology transition.
Experience working directly with non-traditional, commercial, or early-stage companies unfamiliar with defense acquisition and test processes.
Existing relationships with regional DoW mission partners, test ranges, or the Montana defense and aerospace ecosystem.
Position Special Requirements/Additional Information
Willingness and ability to work on-site in Bozeman, Montana.
This position is contingent upon continued grant funding.
Must possess a valid driver's license, an acceptable driving record, and meet all State of Montana requirements to operate State/University vehicles. (If successful candidate possesses a valid out-of-state driver's license, must obtain a valid Montana driver's license within 60 days of hire.)
Successful candidate must be able to comply with the federally mandated requirements of U.S. export control laws, which may require proof that candidate is a U.S. person. Per 22 CFR §120.15, U.S. person means a person who is a lawful permanent resident as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1101(a)(20) or who is a protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3).
This position may require the ability to obtain a Security Clearance, pass the Department of Homeland Security ( DHS ) Fitness requirements to obtain DHS security credentials, and/or meet other government-defined restrictions appropriate for work level and access. Other security-related requirements will include receiving favorable background checks by state and federal agencies pursuant to federal law and regulations.
This position requires ability to travel via all modes of transport when necessary to interact with DoW and/or DHS customers, including travel throughout the Continental U.S. as well as Alaska, Hawaii, U.S territories and possessions, and possibly other worldwide locations.
This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job. Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University's rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.
Physical Demands
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.
This position has supervisory duties? No
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies 1
Desired Start Date Upon completion of a successful search
Position End Date (if temporary)
Open Date
Close Date
Applications will be:
Screening of applications will begin on October 1, 2026; however, applications will continue to be accepted until an adequate applicant pool has been established.
Special Instructions
EEO Statement
Montana State University is an equal opportunity employer. MSU does not discriminate against any applicant on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, national origin, physical or mental disability, or any other protected class status in violation of any applicable law.
In compliance with the Montana Veteran's Employment Preference Act, MSU provides preference in employment to veterans, disabled veterans, and certain eligible relatives of veterans. To claim veteran's preference, please complete the veteran's preference information located in the Demographics section of your profile.
