STRATEGIC MATERIALS SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT (SME) presso CLJ Consulting and Contracting LLC

Job Title: Strategic Materials Subject Matter Expert
Location: Remote, with onsite at DLA Headquarters (Fort Belvoir, VA) and travel as directed by the Government
Employment Type: Full-Time, Contract (Contingent upon contract award)

Position Summary:

CLJ Consulting and Contracting LLC is seeking a Strategic Materials Subject Matter Expert (SME) to provide high-level technical expertise and program support to the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) Small Business Innovation Program (SBIP). The SME will deliver technical review and advisory services for R&D projects in the fields of strategic and critical materials, rare earths recycling, and industrial base assessments. This role ensures innovative solutions are identified, evaluated, and recommended to reduce foreign reliance on critical and strategic material supply chains. The SME will collaborate with program leadership to develop technical reports, briefings, and recommendations that drive effective decision-making and foster stakeholder understanding.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide technical review of R&D projects in strategic and critical materials, rare earths recycling, and industrial base assessments.
• Advise the DLA R&D SBIP PMO and Strategic Materials PM on technical requirements for industrial processes, recycling, and related R&D initiatives.
• Offer technical leadership to evaluate and resolve SBIR/STTR project requirements, risks, and challenges.
• Deliver management advisory and technical services on substantive functions and practices.
• Develop innovative methods, approaches, and solutions for complex defense industrial base (DIB) issues.
• Prepare and present findings, briefings, project papers, status reports, and correspondence to communicate results and recommendations.
• Support contract administrators, senior advisors, and program managers as assigned.
• Coordinate the efforts of multiple projects to ensure optimal outcomes within schedule and cost parameters.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in science, engineering, or a technical subject area, with relevant work experience in strategic and critical materials, recycling, or industrial base assessments.
• Demonstrated subject matter expertise in critical and strategic materials technology areas.
• Strong analytical and advisory skills with proven ability to resolve complex program and technical challenges.
• Must possess IT-II security clearance or a current National Agency Check with Local Agency Check and Credit Check (NACLC) at the time of proposal submission.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s degree plus at least seven (7) years of relevant work experience, or a Doctoral degree plus at least four (4) years of relevant work experience.
• Demonstrated experience supporting SBIR/STTR programs in the public or private sector.
• Strong background in technical review, industrial base assessments, and materials recycling processes.