Senior Technical Advisor — Photonic Materials Branch

The Senior Technical Advisor provides independent scientific, technical, and strategic advice to the Photonic Materials Branch in support of research, technology development, and transition activities. The advisor supports work across the science-and-technology continuum, including 6.1 basic research, 6.2 applied research, 6.

3 advanced technology development, and related transition efforts, with added emphasis on identifying and shaping early-stage research opportunities.

Responsibilities

Advise the Photonic Materials Branch on scientific and technical opportunities, challenges, and potential investment areas. Identify fundamental scientific questions, material-property gaps, applied-research needs, candidate technologies, and potential development pathways. Provide independent technical assessments of the maturity, feasibility, risk, research value, and transition potential of candidate concepts and ongoing efforts.

Support identification and maturation of 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, and related science-and-technology investment opportunities. Recommend approaches that connect foundational science, applied research, advanced technology development, demonstration, and transition objectives. Identify opportunities to leverage relevant Government, laboratory, academic, industry, and allied-partner investments.

Provide technical input on research topics, needs statements, proposal concepts, white papers, technical pitches, and planning materials. Recommend potential funding, sponsorship, collaboration, and transition paths when appropriate. Assist executive leadership with new or existing R&D opportunities This position is designed to be flexible, with responsibilities evolving to meet business needs and enable individual growth.

Requirements

Must be a U.S. Citizen Active TS/SCI Clearance Ph.D. in materials science, chemical engineering, physics, chemistry, optics/photonics, engineering, or a related technical discipline. Extensive experience in scientific research, technology development, acquisition, or science-and-technology portfolio management. Demonstrated expertise in photonic materials, optical materials, thin films, coatings, advanced materials, aerospace technologies, or related technical fields.

Demonstrated ability to assess technical concepts across research, development, demonstration, and transition activities. Experience supporting DoW, AFRL, Service laboratories, program offices, Headquarters organizations, or comparable Government science-and-technology stakeholders. Strong technical writing, communication, stakeholder-engagement, and strategic-planning skills.

Experience with international science-and-technology cooperation, technology transition, or export-control coordination is preferred. Why Work for Us? Core4ce is a team of innovators, self-starters, and critical thinkers—driven by a shared mission to strengthen national security and advance warfighting outcomes. We offer: 401(k) with 100% company match on the first 6% deferred, with immediate vesting Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage—employee portion paid 100% by Core4ce Unlimited access to training and certifications, with no pre-set cap on eligible professional development Tuition assistance for job-related degrees and courses Paid parental leave, PTO that grows with tenure, and generous holiday schedules Got a big idea?

At Core4ce, The Forge gives every employee the chance to propose bold innovations and help bring them to life with internal backing. Join us to build a career that matters—supported by a company that invests in you. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, veteran status, age, genetic information, or other legally protected status.

*Core4ce provides the listed pay range for this position as a general guideline only and not as a guarantee of compensation or salary. Final offers may take into account a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, job responsibilities, education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, internal equity, market data alignment, any applicable collective bargaining agreement, and other legal requirements.