📌 Core Information
🔹 Job Title: Defense Acquisition Specialist, Lead
🔹 Company: Booz Allen Hamilton
🔹 Location: West Falls Church, Virginia, United States
🔹 Job Type: Full-Time, Hybrid
🔹 Category: Defense & Security
🔹 Date Posted: May 15, 2025
🔹 Experience Level: 10+ years
🔹 Remote Status: On-site with hybrid flexibility
🚀 Job Overview
Key aspects of this role include:
- Leading a team of experienced professionals and serving as a liaison to the government
- Analyzing and advising on defense acquisition program documentation to support the warfighter's mission
- Applying advanced technical expertise to develop innovative solutions to complex problems
- Mentoring team members and working with minimal direction
- Collaborating with defense clients to aid in the acquisition of all they need for optimal end strength
ASSUMPTION: This role requires a high level of experience and expertise in defense acquisition processes, with a focus on leading teams and collaborating with government entities.
📋 Key Responsibilities
✅ Lead a team of experienced professionals and serve as a liaison to the government in defense acquisition processes
✅ Analyze, assess, and advise on defense acquisition program documentation, including acquisition strategy, category management, acquisition program baseline, and acquisition decision memorandums
✅ Apply advanced and extensive technical expertise using full industry knowledge to develop innovative solutions to complex problems
✅ Work without considerable direction and mentor team members
✅ Collaborate with defense clients to aid in the acquisition of all they need for optimal end strength and ensure that their mission is our mission
ASSUMPTION: This role involves a high level of responsibility and requires strong leadership, technical, and communication skills.
🎯 Required Qualifications
Education: Master's degree
Experience: 10+ years of experience with the Defense Acquisition System as a project manager, action officer, or policy or program analyst, with 5+ years in an acquisition program office, Program Executive Office, or DoD acquisition office, and 5+ years of experience in leading DoD Category Management
Required Skills:
- Experience drafting or reviewing defense acquisition documents such as Milestone Decision Review briefs, Acquisition Decision Memorandums (ADMs), Acquisition Strategies, and Acquisition Program Baselines (APBs)
- Knowledge of the Adaptive Acquisition Framework (AAF), ACAT, BCAT, SCAT thresholds, and alternative acquisition processes, and of defense acquisition policies, including DoD Issuance (DoDI) 5000 series
- Knowledge of program management, including DoD scheduling and risk management practices
- Ability to logically adjudicate competing interests and inputs and provide concise rationale and recommendations
- Ability to use Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
- Secret clearance
Preferred Skills:
- Experience drafting or reviewing DoD issuances, such as DoD Directives, Instructions, and Manuals, or DoD memoranda
- Knowledge of the Military Health System (MHS) and military medical acquisition
- Knowledge of the Joint Capabilities Integration and Development System (JCIDS) process and associated documentation
- Knowledge of the Defense Planning, Programming, Budgeting, and Execution (PPBE) process
- Knowledge of the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) and the Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS)
- Ability to self-start and multitask in a fast-paced environment and prioritize multiple tasks with minimal supervision
- Top Secret clearance
- Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act (DAWIA) Certification
- Defense Acquisition University (DAU) Program Management Certification
ASSUMPTION: The required qualifications for this role are quite extensive and reflect the need for a highly experienced and skilled professional.
💰 Compensation & Benefits
Salary Range: $86,800.00 to $198,000.00 (annualized USD). The estimate displayed represents the typical salary range for this position and is just one component of Booz Allen’s total compensation package for employees.
Benefits:
- Health, Life, Disability, Financial, and Retirement benefits
- Paid Leave, Professional Development, Tuition Assistance, Work-Life Programs, and Dependent Care
- Recognition awards program for exceptional performance and superior demonstration of company values
Working Hours: Full-time position with a standard workweek of 40 hours, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements
ASSUMPTION: The salary range provided is an estimate and may vary based on individual qualifications, experience, and other factors. The benefits package is comprehensive and designed to support employees' total well-being.
📌 Applicant Insights
🔍 Company Context
Industry: Booz Allen Hamilton operates in the IT Services and IT Consulting industry, focusing on delivering advanced technology solutions for defense, civil, and national security priorities.
Company Size: Booz Allen Hamilton is a large organization with over 10,000 employees, providing ample opportunities for collaboration and growth.
Founded: Booz Allen Hamilton was founded in 1914 and has since grown into a leading provider of management and technology consulting services.
Company Description:
- Booz Allen is the advanced technology company delivering outcomes with speed for America’s most critical defense, civil, and national security priorities.
- The company builds technology solutions using AI, cyber, and other cutting-edge technologies to advance and protect the nation and its citizens.
- By focusing on outcomes, Booz Allen enables its people, clients, and their missions to succeed, accelerating the nation to realize its purpose: Empower People to Change the World®.
Company Specialties:
- Defense Tech
- Commercial Tech Partnerships
- Venture Tech
- Outcomes-Based Contracting
- Quantum Computing
- Zero Trust Cybersecurity
- Advanced Cyber Defense
- Cloud Computing Solutions
- Software Development
- Data Management
- Edge Computing
- Digital Twin
- 5G/NextG Networks
- Autonomous Systems
- Digital Engineering
- System Engineering & Platform Integration
- Advanced Technology Products
- Rapid Prototyping
- Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
Company Website: boozallen.co/3PbO3a2
ASSUMPTION: Booz Allen Hamilton is a well-established company with a strong focus on advanced technology solutions and a commitment to empowering people to change the world.
📊 Role Analysis
Career Level: This role is at the senior leadership level, requiring extensive experience and expertise in defense acquisition processes.
Reporting Structure: The Defense Acquisition Specialist, Lead, will oversee a team of experienced professionals and serve as a liaison to the government, reporting directly to the government entity.
Work Arrangement: This is a hybrid role, requiring on-site work with periodic work from a Booz Allen or client site facility.
Growth Opportunities:
- Mentoring and developing team members
- Expanding technical expertise in defense acquisition processes
- Potential career progression into more senior leadership roles within the organization
ASSUMPTION: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth and development, both in terms of leadership skills and technical expertise.
🌍 Location & Work Environment
Office Type: Booz Allen Hamilton's Falls Church office is a professional work environment, with a mix of on-site and remote work arrangements.
Office Location(s): 8283 Greensboro Drive, McLean, VA 22102, US
Geographic Context:
- The Falls Church office is located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, providing easy access to various cultural, recreational, and professional opportunities.
- The area offers a mix of urban and suburban living options, with a diverse range of neighborhoods and communities.
- The region is home to numerous defense and security organizations, providing ample networking and collaboration opportunities.
Work Schedule: The standard workweek is 40 hours, with flexibility for hybrid work arrangements.
ASSUMPTION: The Falls Church office provides a professional and collaborative work environment, with ample opportunities for growth and development in the defense and security industry.
💼 Interview & Application Insights
Typical Process:
- Online application submission
- Phone or video screen with a recruiter
- Technical interview with a subject matter expert
- Final interview with the hiring manager
Key Assessment Areas:
- Technical expertise in defense acquisition processes
- Leadership and team management skills
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving and decision-making abilities
Application Tips:
- Highlight relevant experience and accomplishments in defense acquisition processes
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to emphasize your qualifications for this specific role
- Prepare for technical and behavioral interview questions related to defense acquisition processes and leadership
ATS Keywords: Defense Acquisition System, Project Management, Policy Analysis, Program Management, Risk Management, Microsoft Office, Acquisition Strategy, Category Management, Adaptive Acquisition Framework, DoD Policies, Scheduling, Competing Interests, Mentoring, Technical Expertise, Documentation Review, Decision Memorandums
ASSUMPTION: The application process for this role is likely to be competitive, with a focus on technical expertise and leadership skills in defense acquisition processes.
🛠️ Tools & Technologies
- Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
- Defense Acquisition System tools and platforms
- Project management software (e.g., Microsoft Project, JIRA)
- Defense-specific software and systems (e.g., DoD-wide systems, military-specific tools)
ASSUMPTION: The tools and technologies required for this role are specific to defense acquisition processes and may include a mix of commercial and defense-specific software and systems.
👔 Cultural Fit Considerations
Company Values:
- Empower People
- Deliver with Speed
- Succeed as One Team
- Innovate for Tomorrow
- Act with Integrity
Work Style:
- Collaborative and team-oriented
- Fast-paced and results-driven
- Adaptable and innovative
- Committed to delivering outcomes for clients and the nation
Self-Assessment Questions:
- Do you thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and enjoy working with diverse teams to deliver results?
- Are you passionate about empowering people and driving innovation to change the world?
- Do you possess strong leadership skills and the ability to mentor and develop team members?
- Are you committed to acting with integrity and delivering with speed to support the nation's defense and security priorities?
ASSUMPTION: Booz Allen Hamilton values a culture of empowerment, innovation, and collaboration, with a strong commitment to delivering outcomes for clients and the nation.
⚠️ Potential Challenges
- Managing competing interests and inputs from various stakeholders
- Keeping up with changes in defense acquisition policies and processes
- Balancing the demands of leading a team and mentoring team members while also managing individual workload
- Navigating the unique dynamics of working with government entities
ASSUMPTION: This role presents unique challenges related to defense acquisition processes, stakeholder management, and leadership, requiring strong skills and adaptability.
📈 Similar Roles Comparison
- This role is similar to other defense acquisition leadership positions but may have a stronger focus on mentoring and developing team members
- Defense acquisition processes and policies may vary depending on the specific government entity and acquisition program
- Career progression in defense acquisition roles may involve moving into more senior leadership positions or specializing in specific acquisition domains
ASSUMPTION: This role is similar to other defense acquisition leadership positions but offers unique opportunities for growth and development in mentoring and team leadership.
📝 Sample Projects
- Leading a team to develop and implement a new acquisition strategy for a defense program
- Collaborating with government stakeholders to review and refine acquisition program baselines and acquisition decision memorandums
- Mentoring team members to develop their technical expertise in defense acquisition processes and tools
ASSUMPTION: Sample projects for this role may involve leading teams, collaborating with stakeholders, and mentoring team members to deliver results in defense acquisition processes.
❓ Key Questions to Ask During Interview
- What are the most pressing challenges facing the defense acquisition program that this role will support?
- How does this role collaborate with other defense acquisition teams and government entities?
- What opportunities are there for professional growth and development in this role?
- How does Booz Allen Hamilton support its employees in balancing work and personal responsibilities?
- What is the company's approach to innovation and staying ahead of emerging trends in defense acquisition processes?
ASSUMPTION: Asking insightful questions during the interview process can help applicants better understand the role, the team, and the company culture, and demonstrate their interest and engagement.
📌 Next Steps for Applicants
To apply for this position:
- Submit your application through this link
- Tailor your resume and cover letter to highlight your relevant experience and qualifications for this specific role
- Prepare for technical and behavioral interview questions related to defense acquisition processes and leadership
- If selected, be prepared to provide additional information or complete assessments as needed
- Follow up with the hiring manager within one week of your interview to express your continued interest in the position
⚠️ This job description contains AI-assisted information. Details should be verified directly with the employer before making decisions.
