Microelectronics Supply Chain Management Expert (SME)

Position Overview
TAP Engineering is seeking a highly specialized Microelectronics Supply Chain Management Expert to serve as an embedded Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting a Major U.S. Strategic Defense Agency on a high-priority homeland modernization initiative. In this role, you will be placed directly into a government-side team to provide technical insight and strategic guidance on the microelectronic fabrication pipelines essential to an integrated layered defense architecture. You will be responsible for ensuring the resilience, security, and technical viability of the supply chain for advanced microelectronics used in strategic protection and interceptor systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Technical Advisory: Provide expert technical assessments of current and emerging microelectronics fabrication technologies, specifically focusing on radiation-hardened components, heterogeneous integration (2.5D/3D packaging), and Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) technologies for advanced sensing
• Supply Chain Risk Management (SCRM): Develop and execute strategies to mitigate vulnerabilities in the global microelectronics trade flow, identifying risks related to sole-source foundries and obsolete components
• Critical Initiative Support: Coordinate with subawardees and prime contractors under a mission-critical IDIQ to ensure adherence to rapid delivery timelines while maintaining hardware integrity
• Fabrication Oversight: Assist the government in managing domestic microelectronic design and fabrication pipelines, ensuring traceability and quality assurance from initial chiplet design to final system integration
• Integrity and Trust: Implement and monitor hardware Root of Trust protocols and anti-counterfeit measures, as well as the implementation of hardware-level secure enclaves for trusted execution
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as a technical liaison between the supply chain management office, the Defense Industrial Base (DIB), and other DoD entities
• Strategic Planning: Author technical reports and trend analyses to brief senior government officials on the health and capacity of the microelectronics industrial base

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance
• U.S. Citizenship required
• BS in Electrical Engineering, Materials Science, or a related technical field (MS preferred)
• 10+ years of experience in microelectronics hardware, with at least 5 years specifically focused on semiconductor supply chain management or fabrication oversight
• Familiarity with advanced PCB and FPGA-chiplet centric architectures
• Technical understanding of Read-Out Integrated Circuit (ROIC) design and fabrication for focal plane arrays and infrared sensors
• Knowledge of hardware-based secure enclave architectures and trusted execution environments (TEE) for mission-critical data protection
• Direct experience with radiation-hardening processes for commercial microelectronics in high-reliability and strategic environments
• Understanding of Trusted Foundry requirements and Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) accreditation processes
• Proven ability to mentor junior team members and brief senior-level government executives on complex technical trade studies
• Ability to travel approximately 20%

Preferred Qualifications

• MS or PhD in Electrical Engineering or a related technical field
• Direct experience supporting strategic defense programs or major DoD-led microelectronics initiatives
• Experience implementing ISO 9001 and AS 9120 standards for quality and supply chain inspection

Clearance Requirement
This position requires an active TS/SCI security clearance. Clearance processing and maintenance will be conducted in accordance with U.S. Government requirements. This position is contingent upon the successful completion of security processing and favorable acceptance onto the program by the Customer.

Benefits Overview
TAP Engineering offers a comprehensive and competitive benefits package, including:

• Paid Time Off: 15–25 days annually based on tenure, plus 11 paid holidays (never use-or-lose)
• Retirement: Up to 15% employer contribution to a 401(k) through match and profit sharing
• Medical Coverage: Free medical insurance for employees, with optional buy-up plans for dependents
• Dental & Vision: Employer-paid plans with optional enhancements
• Insurance Coverage: Employer-paid life insurance, AD&D, short-term disability, and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Healthcare and dependent care FSAs
• Tuition Reimbursement: Up to $36,000 per year for approved coursework
• Additional Benefits: Employee Assistance Program, wellness incentives, discount programs, virtual care, prescription savings, and travel support
• Performance-Based Rewards: Merit increases, performance bonuses, and referral bonuses

Additional Information
TAP Engineering is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.