DARPA Junior Action Officer

The Action Officer will provide direct high-level support to a DARPA Program Director managing a portfolio of exceptionally high-dollar high-visibility research and development programs. This role requires a highly organized analytically strong professional capable of operating in a fast-paced mission-driven environment with significant executive exposure.

The employee will serve as a critical integrator across technical financial acquisition and operational domains to ensure program success compliance and strategic alignment while also performing critical executive support functions to maximize the Program Directors effectiveness and time.

Key Responsibilities

Programmatic & Action Officer Duties:

• Serve as the principal coordination point for all programmatic actions on behalf of the Program Director

• Track manage and reconcile large-scale program funding (often exceeding hundreds of millions to billions of dollars) across multiple appropriations and fiscal years

• Prepare review and staff acquisition documentation funding actions and executive correspondence

• Ensure compliance with Department of Defense financial management regulations acquisition policies and audit requirements

• Develop and maintain detailed program trackers dashboards and status reports for senior leadership

• Coordinate with contracting officers financial managers technical performers and external stakeholders

• Support program reviews briefings and Congressional or senior DoD engagements

• Identify risks issues and bottlenecks; propose actionable mitigation strategies

• Draft decision memos talking points and strategic communications for senior leadership

• Manage sensitive and classified information in accordance with security protocols

Executive Assistant Functions:

• Manage the Program Directors calendar priorities and daily schedule in a high-tempo high-demand environment

• Coordinate and deconflict meetings secure facilities and classified spaces as required

• Prepare briefing materials read-ahead packages and executive summaries for meetings and engagements

• Serve as gatekeeper for taskings ensuring proper prioritization and timely execution

• Track suspense items action items and deliverables across multiple stakeholders and ensure follow-through

• Coordinate domestic and international travel including itineraries clearances and country-specific requirements

• Draft review and route correspondence emails and official communications on behalf of the Program Director

• Facilitate communication between the Program Director and internal/external stakeholders including senior DoD leadership

• Maintain organized records files and documentation in accordance with records management and security requirements

• Anticipate executive needs and proactively resolve scheduling administrative or operational conflicts

Required Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Business Finance Engineering Public Administration Arts or related field

• 2-5 years of experience supporting DoD programs acquisitions executive leadership in a company or financial management

• Strong familiarity with DoD administrative processes task management systems and correspondence protocols

• Exceptional organizational analytical and problem-solving skills

• Ability to operate independently and manage competing priorities under tight deadlines

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills including executive-level briefing experience

• Active Top Secret (SCI eligible)

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with advanced technology programs (AI cyber autonomy space or emerging tech)

• Demonstrated excellence in executive scheduling task management and front office operations

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and executive-level judgment

• Discretion and professionalism in handling sensitive information

• Cross-functional coordination and stakeholder management

• Superior organizational and time-management skills

• Proactive problem-solving and anticipation of leadership needs

Compensation Details:

The compensation range or hourly rate listed for this position is provided as a good-faith estimate of what the company intends to offer for this role at the time this posting was issued. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as job responsibilities education experience skills internal equity market data applicable collective bargaining agreements and relevant laws.

Benefits Overview:

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to support you and your priorities. Offerings include:

• Health dental and vision insurance

• Paid time off and holidays

• Retirement benefits (including 401(k) matching)

• Educational reimbursement

• Parental leave

• Employee stock purchase plan

• Tax-saving options

• Disability and life insurance

• Pet insurance

Note: Benefits may vary based on employment type location and applicable agreements. Positions governed by a Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) the McNamara-OHara Service Contract Act (SCA) or other employment contracts may include different provisions/benefits.

Original Posting:

Amentum anticipates this job requisition will remain open for at least three days with a closing date no earlier than three days after the original posting. This timeline may change based on business needs.

Amentum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race sex sexual orientation pregnancy (including pregnancy childbirth breastfeeding or medical conditions related to pregnancy childbirth or breastfeeding) age ancestry United States military or veteran status color religion creed marital or domestic partner status medical condition genetic information national origin citizenship status low-income status or mental or physical disability so long as the essential functions of the job can be performed with or without reasonable accommodation or any other protected category under federal state or local law. Learn more about your rights under Federal laws and supplemental language atLabor Laws Posters.