user avatar

Behavioral Science Expert

Leidos

Posted today
Intel Agency (NSA, CIA, FBI, etc)
$154,050 - $278,475
25%
Unspecified
Seaside, CA (On-Site/Office)

R-00173619

Description

Leidos Health & Services Sector is seeking a Behavioral Science Expert to support the Department of Defense’s personnel testing and assessment mission by providing senior behavioral science leadership across research, psychometrics, test development, and evaluation activities. The role contributes directly to the development, administration, and continuous improvement of assessments used to classify and select individuals for military service.

**This job posting is in anticipation of future work**

The contract provides comprehensive scientific, analytic, and operational support to the DoD for the development, administration, evaluation, and continuous improvement of its personnel testing and assessment programs. Support includes behavioral science research, psychometric analysis, test development, operational test administration, data collection, statistical modeling, and technical assistance for computer-based and paper-and-pencil testing systems—including the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), language proficiency tests, and other accession-related assessments. The contractor delivers research studies, analytic products, test specifications, scoring algorithms, technical documentation, and system support to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, and operational effectiveness of DoD’s testing enterprise used to classify and select individuals for military service.

Key Responsibilities:
  • Apply psychological principles to DoD personnel issues.
  • Develop and refine tests (like the ASVAB) for selection, classification, and career guidance, considering behavioral indicators.
  • Use metrics to inform policy and understand personnel trends. 
  • Lead conceptualization of advanced assessment research and measurement models.
  • Provide expert oversight of psychometrics, validation, and construct development.
  • Advise leadership on emerging behavioral science trends affecting assessment programs.
  • Ensure scientific rigor and quality across behavioral science deliverables.
  • Mentor senior and junior behavioral staff.


Required Qualifications:
  • Uniquely skilled and nationally known experts in a behavioral science field as demonstrated through publications, conference presentations, committee participation, and professional society leadership (APA, SIOP, NCME, AERA).
  • Education: Ph.D. in a behavioral science field (e.g., Psychology, Cognitive Science, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, Educational Measurement, Human Factors)
  • Experience:
    • 15+ years relevant experience in large-scale assessment programs, particularly high-stakes, high-volume testing environments.
    • Prior experience leading psychometric design, test lifecycle management, and validity research for adaptive, hybrid, or multidimensional assessments.
    • Demonstrated success influencing executive-level stakeholders, scientific review boards, and policy-making entities.
    • Experience leading interdisciplinary teams of psychometricians, behavioral scientists, analysts, and software engineers.
  • Skills:
    • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
    • Strong attention to detail and a commitment to accuracy.
    • Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
    • Demonstrated ability to work independently as a member or leader of a team.
    • Demonstrated ability to plan, prioritize, and manage own work and the work of others.
    • Demonstrated commitment to meeting high standards for product and service quality.
    • Desire to learn and develop inventive methods that respond to client needs.
    • Ability to establish methodological vision, guide long-term research strategy, and oversee complex behavioral science initiatives involving measurement, validation, and policy integration.
    • Ability to present complex technical information to senior DoD leadership, interagency groups, and scientific panels with clarity and authority.
    • Ability to integrate behavioral science, psychometrics, analytics, and technology to support adaptive testing innovations.
  • Security Clearance: Must possess or be able to obtain a DoD Common Access Card (CAC) and successfully complete a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) fingerprint check and a National Agency Check with Written Inquiries (NACI) check. US Citizenship is required.
  • Location: This position is eligible for 75% remote work with occasional on-site work as required by customer and/or contract needs. Candidate must be located or willing to relocate within commuting distance of Seaside, CA.


Preferred Qualifications:
  • Experience working with or within the DoD.
  • Familiarity with DTAC and its mission and objectives.
  • Knowledge of military accession, recruiting, and classification processes.
  • Mastery of Item Response Theory (IRT), Classical Test Theory (CTT), multidimensional models, test equating, scaling, form construction, and automated item assembly.
  • Expert understanding of APA, AERA, NCME testing standards; Human Subjects Protection; and defensible documentation practices.


At Leidos, we don’t want someone who "fits the mold"—we want someone who melts it down and builds something better. This is a role for the restless, the over-caffeinated, the ones who ask, “what’s next?” before the dust settles on “what’s now.”

If you’re already scheming step 20 while everyone else is still debating step 2… good. You’ll fit right in.
Original Posting: January 14, 2026

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range: Pay Range $154,050.00 - $278,475.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com .

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers. Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement. More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits .

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system – never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at LeidosCareersFraud@leidos.com .

If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission .

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

#Remote
group id: SCNCAPI2

Introducing the Next Level of Leidos

job ad image
Find Leidos on Social Media
Network Employers
user avatar
About Us
Leidos is a Fortune 500® technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world’s toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil, and health markets. The company’s 43,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $13.7 billion for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.
job ad2 image