Research And Development Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Responsibilities
The Director, Customer Experience, Capture & Research Development is a leadership role within the Federal Civilian Solutions (FCS) Mission Area, reporting directly to the FCS Vice President. This position serves as a cross-divisional strategic asset-functioning simultaneously as a floating capture manager, federal market analyst, research pipeline architect, and customer experience authority.
Noblis' Vision 2030 calls us to be a leading S&T powerhouse-delivering exceptional services, transformational solutions, and breakthrough innovations with enduring mission impact. This role is purpose-built to accelerate that vision within Federal Civilian Solutions:

1. Elevating Capture Discipline - providing expert capture leadership that raises win rates and strengthens our ability to pursue and win large, complex opportunities
2. Expanding Our Market Footprint - identifying and developing new federal accounts that align to our capabilities and national priorities
3. Bridging the Gap Between Science and Growth - ensuring our research investments translate into competitive advantage and measurable client value
4. Differentiating Through Experience - applying certified CX and human factors expertise to deliver exceptional client experiences that build loyalty and brand distinction

This leader will partner closely with Federal BD executives and Division Directors to drive pipeline development, capture execution, market expansion into new and emerging federal accounts, and the application of rigorous customer experience and human factors methodologies to differentiate Noblis in the marketplace.
Key Roles
This is not a staff role-it is a strategic operator position that combines intellectual rigor with business acumen to drive measurable growth outcomes for the best of reasons. This role directly advances all four strategic pillars of Noblis Vision 2030, positioning the Federal Civilian Solutions Mission Area as a growth engine, S&T powerhouse, and standard-bearer for exceptional client experience.

• Serves as a floating Capture Manager across FCS Divisions, providing hands-on leadership for priority pursuits. Contributes to capture excellence through training, mentorship, and application repeatable capture playbooks.
• Drives growth across FCS by identifying emerging federal civilian accounts and executing disciplined capture strategies. Conducts market intelligence on addressable opportunities aligned to critical national missions.
• Develops and executes a rigorous framework for government-funded research within FCS. Bridges the gap between Noblis Research Centers and business development to accelerate translation of research into competitive discriminators.
• Applies certified CX methodologies to assess, score, and enhance client experience across FCS programs. Partners with the CXO team to conduct CX Assessments and identify new services that exceed expectations and build brand loyalty.

Key Responsibilities
Capture Management (Cross-Divisional)

• Deliver capture excellence across FCS Divisions, leading or supporting priority captures from qualification through award
• Develop and execute win strategies and competitive assessments for opportunities ranging from $25M-$200M+
• Chair and participate in color reviews (Pink, Red, Gold) across the Mission Area
• Coach and mentor Division-level capture managers and proposal teams to elevate organizational capture maturity
• Manage opportunity-specific B&P funds and ensure alignment with BNB gate review processes
• Partner with BD executives and Division Directors on pipeline qualification, runway-to-RFP planning, and execution

Federal Market Analysis & Account Development

• Conduct market intelligence and competitive landscape analysis to identify new and emerging federal civilian accounts for FCS expansion
• Develop account entry strategies for priority targets, including stakeholder mapping, relationship development, and teaming strategies
• Monitor federal procurement trends, budget cycles, and policy shifts to inform pursuit timing and competitive positioning
• Produce market briefs and strategic recommendations for FCS leadership on addressable market opportunities
• Identify and qualify "big bet" targets aligned to Noblis capabilities and Vision 2030 growth priorities

Research & Development Pipeline

• Develop and execute a disciplined framework for identifying, proposing, and managing government-funded research opportunities within FCS
• Partner with the CTO and Innovation Vector leadership and Noblis Sponsored Principal Investigators to align research investments to FCS client missions and emerging technology priorities
• Champion FCS participation in the annual NSR Call to Ideation, ensuring Division staff generate ideas aligned to structured challenge areas
• Identify and pursue ARPA-funded opportunities, Broad Agency Announcements (BAAs), and Other Transaction Agreements (OTAs) relevant to FCS client missions
• Track research outcomes and facilitate the transition of knowledge, expertise, and intellectual capital into competitive discriminators for capture and proposal efforts
• Author white papers and abstracts that demonstrate Noblis thought leadership and applicability of capabilities to client problem sets

Customer Experience & Human Factors

• Leverage CX and human factors expertise to design and execute FCS customer experience strategies that differentiate Noblis
• Partner with the CXO team to conduct CX Assessments across FCS programs, gathering structured client feedback and developing actionable improvement plans
• Apply human factors research methodologies-observational studies, root cause analysis, stakeholder analysis-to identify friction points and optimize service delivery
• Develop new experiences, services, and solutions for federal clients based on CX Assessment findings and human-centered design principles
• Contribute to CX Index scoring and enterprise-level reporting on the state of customer experience within FCS

Strategic Partnership & Collaboration

• Partner with FCS BD and Division staff on pipeline, teaming decisions, and competitive positioning
• Collaborate with Division Directors on account-level growth strategies, program performance enhancement, and client retention
• Engage with the Noblis VP of Business Development & Capture on BNB gate reviews, B&P funding decisions, and enterprise growth priorities
• Represent Noblis at industry conferences, client events, and professional forums to build brand visibility and thought leadership

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in a STEM field (engineering, computer science, or related)
• 20+ years of progressive experience in federal government contracting, with demonstrated expertise in capture management, business development, and program performance
• 10+ years in leadership roles (Director, Vice President, or equivalent) with P&L accountability and direct responsibility for revenue growth
• Proven track record leading captures of $50M-$200M+ in total contract value across Federal Civilian agencies (HHS, DOT, Treasury or similar)
• Demonstrated experience conducting federal market analysis, account development, and competitive intelligence
• Experience with government-funded research programs, IRAD/NSR processes, BAAs, OTAs, or ARPA-funded initiatives
• Direct experience applying customer experience and/or human factors methodologies in a federal contracting or consulting environment
• Capture management training (e.g., Shipley, Lohfeld, or equivalent corporate capture academy) - Required
• CX Certification (CX Foundations, CX Champ, or equivalent) - Required

Desired Qualifications

• PHD. in Human Factors, Applied/Experimental Psychology, Cognitive Science, or related discipline - Preferred as a complementary credential
• Program Management Professional certification
• Executive leadership development (e.g., Harvard, MIT Sloan, Center for Creative Leadership, or equivalent)
• Familiarity with AI-assisted workflow tools for capture acceleration
• Published research in peer-reviewed journals or presented at national/international conferences

Overview
Overview
Noblis and our wholly owned subsidiaries, Noblis ESI and Noblis MSD, take on some of the nation's toughest challenges, delivering advanced solutions to our customers' most critical missions. We bring together leading scientific, engineering, and management expertise in a culture grounded in objectivity and collaboration, ensuring our work creates lasting impact across federal missions.
We work with a broad range of government agencies in the defense, intelligence, and federal civilian sectors. Learn more and find opportunities at careers.noblis.org
Why Work at Noblis
At Noblis, we share a passion for excellence and innovation, and we create an environment where people can do meaningful work while maintaining the balance that keeps them energized and fulfilled. We seek out individuals with a natural curiosity and desire to collaborate and learn. We believe our people are our greatest strength, and we consistently seek exceptionally skilled, mission-driven professionals who care deeply about doing work that enriches lives and makes our nation safer.
Noblis has earned numerous workplace awards for our culture, our commitment to employee well-being, and our dedication to meaningful, impactful work. We also maintain a drug-free workplace.
Remote/hybrid status is subject to change based on Noblis and/or government requirements.
Commitment to Non-Discrimination
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, age, national origin, religion, physical or mental disability, pregnancy/childbirth and related medical conditions, veteran or military status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.
If reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and/or to receive other benefits and privileges of employment, please contact us.
EEO is the Law | E-Verify | Right to Work
Total Rewards
At Noblis we recognize and reward your contributions, provide you with growth opportunities, and support your total well-being. Our offerings include health, life, disability, financial, and retirement benefits, as well as paid leave, professional development, tuition assistance, and work-life programs. Our award programs acknowledge employees for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of our service standards. Full-time and part-time employees working at least 20 hours a week on a regular basis are eligible to participate in our benefit programs. Other offerings may be provided for employees not within this category. We encourage you to learn more about our total benefits by visiting the Benefits page on our Careers site.
Compensation at Noblis is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the combination of education, certifications, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience, internal and external equity, location, clearance level, as well as contract-specific affordability, organizational requirements and applicable employment laws. The projected compensation range for this position is based on full time status. For part time or on-call staff, compensation is proportionately adjusted based on hours worked. While monetary compensation is important, it's just one component of Noblis' total compensation package.
Posted Salary Range
USD $186,100.00 - USD $290,725.00 /Yr.