The Critical Mass is an international security Do & Think Tank. We implement results-focused projects & sustainable security solutions by championing diverse expertise & innovation. I #TCMSustainableSecurity by, with, & through the right partners, at the right time, with the right expectations. Hiring Post (1) The Critical Mass is hiring for a number of positions at our Wallops Flight Facility for NASA's Sounding Rockets Program. Please see here to learn more! NSROC Collage 2025 In November, TCM’s CEO Elizabeth Jordan Wilhelm and Operations Manager Mariya Chukhnova visited Wallops Flight Facility to meet with the extraordinary team of technicians, engineers, and mechanics who build and launch sounding rockets in support of scientific and research missions around the world. TCM accepted into #GS10KSB The Critical Mass is proud to announce that we've been accepted into the "Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses" National Cohort 19. Hiring Post (1) The Critical Mass is hiring for a number of positions at our Wallops Flight Facility for NASA's Sounding Rockets Program. Please see here to learn more! 1/14 CAPABILITIES Our team offers security and defense assistance policy, program, and project professional and technical support to the US and other donor Government sponsors, implementing stakeholders, foreign assistance coordinators and recipients. Learn More PROJECTS The Critical Mass is the chosen implementing partner for projects across the globe on behalf of the US Government and partner nation senior officials Learn More PARTNERS The Critical Mass is proud to support several US Government, partner nation governments, universities, non-profits, and security practitioners. Learn More ABOUT US The Critical Mass (TCM), LLC is an established Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Woman-Owned (WOSB) based in Alexandria, Virginia. We are an international security Do and Think tank and implement results-focused projects and sustainable security solutions by championing diverse expertise and innovation. TCM is a trusted advisor and partner to sponsors and allies, and a builder of an inclusive global community of security-focused professionals. Current service areas include: CBRNE Security & Counterproliferation; Science Diplomacy; Process Hazard Analysis (OSHA) / Ammunition Depot Risk Mitigation; Risk Mitigation of Emerging Technologies (incl. AI); Integrated Program Design, Management & Compliance; Vendor Threat Mitigation and Third Party Due Diligence; Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning; Women, Peace and Security; Staff Augmentation. We support a number of important initiatives with the US Department of State and other international partners. Key recent projects include: Support and training for the Ukrainian scientific community in Ukraine, Poland, and Central Europe; Dual-use goods and border security initiatives in Iraq and Panama; WMD crime scene and evidence investigation in Morocco; Identifying and mitigating Russian public health disinformation in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan; Countering cyberbullying and strengthening media literacy in Georgia; Aviation security and chemical response initiatives in Kurdistan. Meet Our Team See Our Work LANGUAGES TCM's team collectively speaks 14 languages, which enhances our reach in international communication and project implementation. Our linguistic proficiency also enables us to establish effective partnerships with local stakeholders across the globe. Partners PARTNERS U.S. Department of Defense Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA ) Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR ) Directorate Biological Threat Reduction Program (BTRP) Proliferation Prevention Program (PPP) Global Nuclear Security (GNS) Chemical Security and Elimination (CSE) U.S. Department of State Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation (ISN ) Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR) Office of Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism (WMDT) Office of Export Control Cooperation (ECC) Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS) NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organization Public Diplomacy Division Office of Cooperative Threat Reduction (CTR ) Office of Weapons of Mass Destruction Terrorism (WMDT ) Office of Export Control Cooperation (ECC ) Export Control and Related Border Security Program (EXBS ) Partner With Us Deliberate Destruction of Ukrainian Scientific Infrastructure by Russia: The Urgency of Its Protection and Restoration The Critical Mass (TCM) and The Institute of General Energy of the NAS of Ukraine Sign Agreement TCM Welcomes Shakib Noori as Program Operations Manager TCM Thoughts on Ukrainian Science and Innovation - Challenges in Days of War The Critical Mass and Local Alexandria, VA Partners Raise $4,500 for Razom for Ukraine TCM Thoughts on Female Leaders in Security and Government Contracting TCM Blog Contact

Open Positions Equipment Custodian (Posted 18 February 2026) Qualifications and Responsibilities Scope of Work: The Equipment Custodian will provide support to NASA’s sounding rocket experiments. Responsibilities: Issue, receive, tag, and maintain equipment entering all transactions in the property management equipment inventory database. Participate in yearly wall-to-wall property inventorying requirements. Participate in scheduled and unscheduled Government, corporate, ISO-9001, and NSROC Property System audits. Responsible for calibration recall of all equipment. Keep accurate files relating to that activity. Initiate calibration task orders for work to be performed by a calibrating agency. Call vendors for information and type shipping documentation for equipment to be returned to the manufacturer for evaluation / repair. Assist in the development of equipment shipping documentation. Assist in the F-10 stockroom and tool room, as needed, issuing, and receiving materials, tooling and fixtures. Recording those transactions in the Costpoint, N-Prop or TRAQ systems, as applicable. Help with the coordination and control of test and measuring equipment utilized at off-site locations. Perform other duties as assigned. (i.e. provide back-up in the absence of logisticians, assist with emergent property control issues). Receives daily work priorities from the Property / Logistics Manager or designee. Transport equipment between program sites and WFF Calibration Lab. May be required to travel to other locations to perform other tasks as may be assigned. Performs other duties as assigned. Minimum Requirements: 4 years of related experience receiving, documenting, storing, and moving materials in support of a warehouse or materials stockroom. High School Diploma or GED credentials. Moderate PC skills with the ability to learn property/logistics of databases and applications for routine documentation, reference, and correspondence. Moderate PC skills with the ability to learn property/logistics of databases and applications for routine documentation, reference, and correspondence. Training or certification in the following may be required: Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) Control per GPR 8730.6A TraQ and Costpoint Training NSROC Certification Tracking System (NCTS) Training Sharepoint Training General Safety Awareness, IT Security, Environmental Compliance, and Personnel Safety and Health Ability to regularly lift up to 50 lbs. Must have practical knowledge of worksite safety, occupational hazards, and standard safety practices. Must possess the ability to work in a team or alone and be able to change jobs on short notice. Must have and maintain a valid state driver’s license. Must have a safe driving record to operate a company vehicle. Must be able to successfully complete a drug/alcohol test and a criminal record check. The individual is expected to conduct themselves with the highest level of professionalism, positively represent the program at all times, and adhere to Corporate, Prime and NASA standards, policies, and ethical guidelines. The requirements are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. May be required to obtain and maintain a security clearance, including successfully completing a thorough background investigation. Clear, respectful communication, attention to detail, and a commitment to maintaining the program’s credibility and mission objectives are essential to success in this role. How to Apply: Submit a resume/CV with optional cover letter to The Critical Mass Hiring Manager via email ( hiring@thecriticalmass.com ). Please include your last name and the position for which you are applying in the subject line of the email. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis as received. Applicants may be requested to provide references, copies of documents, or other supporting materials prior to extension of an offer. About TCM: The Critical Mass (TCM), LLC is an established Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) and Woman-Owned (WOSB) based in Alexandria, Virginia. We are an international security Do and Think tank and implement results-focused projects and sustainable security solutions by championing diverse expertise and innovation. TCM is a trusted advisor and partner to sponsors and allies, and a builder of an inclusive global community of security-focused professionals. TCM is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. Our hiring practices provide equal opportunity for employment without regard to race, religion, color, sex, gender, national origin, age, United States military veteran’s status, ancestry, sexual orientation, marital status, family structure, medical condition including genetic characteristics or information, veteran 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. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us and let us know the nature of your request. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

The Critical Mass has partnered with CRDF Global to offer Ukrainian Scientists tailored support Support to Ukraine Support to Ukrainian Scientists Read More TCM Thoughts on Ukrainian Science and Innovation - Challenges in Days of War Read More The Critical Mass (TCM) and The Institute of General Energy of the NAS of Ukraine Sign Agreement / The Critical Mass та Інститут загальної енергетики НАН України підписали договір про співпрацю Read More The Critical Mass and Local Alexandria, VA Partners Raise $4,500 for Razom for Ukraine Read More

We are agile by design – leveraging our compliant, flexible infrastructure to rapidly plan, source, and manage teams to support partner-focused security capacity-building programs. Jordan Wilhelm Chris Stotts MEET THE CORE TEAM Anne Teppel Shakib Noori Neil Singh Ethiana Hacsh Mariya Chukhnova Alexandria Alamprese Keily Yemm ABOUT TCM The Critical Mass (TCM), LLC is a fast-growing, Service-Disabled Veteran Small Business (SDVOSB) and Economically Disadvantaged Woman-Owned (EDWOSB) based in Alexandria, Virginia. We support a number of important initiatives with the US Department of State and other international partners. Key recent projects include identifying and mitigating Russian disinformation in Georgia, Ukraine, and Kazakhstan; dual-use goods and border security projects in Iraq and Panama; WMD crime scene and evidence investigation in Morocco; and aviation security and chemical response initiatives in Kurdistan. We enable clients to demonstrate responsiveness, commitment, and innovation to international counterparts while achieving tangible and enduring progress toward objectives. PUBLICATIONS Contaminated Trust: Public Health Disinformation and its Societal Impacts in Georgia, Kazakhstan, and Ukraine Iraq 5th International CBRN Safety and Security Conference (#CBRNIraq2020) Magazine TCM Blog UPDATES & NEWS Deliberate Destruction of Ukrainian Scientific Infrastructure by Russia: The Urgency of Its Protection and Restoration Jan 18, 2024 The Critical Mass (TCM) and The Institute of General Energy of the NAS of Ukraine Sign Agreement #TCMPress May 22, 2023 TCM Welcomes Shakib Noori as Program Operations Manager #TCMTeamNews May 21, 2023 TCM Thoughts on Ukrainian Science and Innovation - Challenges in Days of War #TCMGovConInsights May 17, 2023

CBRNE Security & Counterproliferation; Cybersecurity; Integrated Program Design & Management; Quality Framework; Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning. Recent work: Dual-use goods & border security initiatives in Iraq and Panama; WMD crime scene & evidence investigation in Morocco; Identifying & mitigating Russian public health disinformation in Georgia, Ukraine, & Kazakhstan; Countering cyberbullying & strengthening media literacy; Aviation security & chemical response initiatives in Kurdistan. Featured Projects Process Hazard Management - Crane Army Ammunition Activity NASA Sounding Rocket Operations Contract - Wallops Flight Facility GLOBALCAP IDIQ - United States Department of State Transformation Twenty-One Total Technology Next Generation 2 - United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Shakib Noori serves as Manager of Program Operations at The Critical Mass. He comes with over 15 years of work experience in Project Management, Program Design, and Business Development. He previously worked as Director for International Capture at AMS, CEO of Roshan Telecom's owned Mobile Services, M-Paisa, Consultant at World Bank HQ’s IEG, and Economic Counselor at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington, DC. Shakib Noori Title: Senior Business Development Manager Email: shakib.noori@thecriticalmass.com Shakib Noori serves as Senior Business Development Manager at The Critical Mass. He comes with over 15 years of work experience in business development and business growth, project management and program design. He previously worked as Director for International Capture at AMS, CEO of Roshan Telecom's owned Mobile Services, M Paisa, Consultant at World Bank HQ’s IEG, and Economic Counselor at the Embassy of Afghanistan in Washington DC. Shakib’s academic record combines economics, international relations, and policy management, through a Master’s (M.P.A) in International Economic Policy and Management from Columbia University (New York City). Early on in his career, Shakib assumed high-responsibility appointments, beginning with his role as Director of Investment Promotion for the newly established Afghanistan Investment Support Agency in 2005. This position was of particular significance as it coincided with Afghanistan's efforts to welcome international investors, after enduring 30 years of civil strife. From 2007 to 2011, Shakib was employed as a Trade and Investment Policy Advisor at Adam Smith International.

OECD < Back “Gender Balance in the Nuclear Sector” OECD The OECD’s Nuclear Energy Agency published its first overview of gender imbalances and issues affecting women in the field of nuclear energy and nonproliferation in 2023. This report focuses on qualitative and statistical analyses. https://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/j_6/home https://www.oecd-nea.org/jcms/pl_78831/gender-balance-in-the-nuclear-sector?details=true https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/social-issues-migration-health/joining-forces-for-gender-equality_725b1894-en Previous Next

TCM and Kira/THTBC Joint Venture - TCM-Kira Integrated Services (TCM-KIS) TCM-Kira Integrated Services LLC (TCM-KIS) Partner with TCM-KIS

Dr. Timothy Snyder < Back “Bloodlands: Europe Between Hitler and Stalin” Dr. Timothy Snyder Eastern and Central Europe’s political, social, economic and security ecosystem remains tinged with the blood spilled on its soil by the tyrants of Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union. Dr. Timothy Snyder’s analysis of the contexts, actions, and interactions of the two powers unveils the exponential violence inflicted on the countries and people of the region, leaving curses and scars that yet remain crucial to an understanding of Europe. https://timothysnyder.org/ https://www.amazon.com/Bloodlands-Europe-Between-Hitler-Stalin/dp/0465031471 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloodlands Previous Next

Dr. Samuel Glasstone, Phillip Dolan < Back “The Effects of Nuclear Weapons” Dr. Samuel Glasstone, Phillip Dolan The quintessential manual on the effects of nuclear weapons, Glasstone and Dolan’s textbook describes the immediate effects of a nuclear detonation, providing valuable insight into proactive planning, treatment, rapid response protocols, protective measures and diagnoses. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samuel_Glasstone https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philip_J._Dolan https://www.amazon.com/Effects-Nuclear-Weapons-Samuel-Glasstone/dp/160322016X Previous Next

Dr. Ramesh C. Gupta < Back “Handbook of Toxicology of Chemical Warfare Agents” Dr. Ramesh C. Gupta A handbook on the forefront of the various chemicals that have been developed in the past century with uses in conflicts, war, and terrorism. Providing information on their developmental histories and effects, and the handbook provides tools and steps for detection, prevention, treatment, and best practice countermeasures. https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramesh-gupta-32732769/ https://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Toxicology-Chemical-Warfare-Agents/dp/0128190906 https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780128190906/handbook-of-toxicology-of-chemical-warfare-agents Previous Next

Dr. Valerie M. Hudson < Back  "The First Political Order: How Sex Shapes Governance and National Security Worldwide" Dr. Valerie M. Hudson Women are involved with every single human endeavor, from Governance to business to radiological studies to weapons development, but they are not always recognized as such. Dr. Hudson's book describes the near universal and systematic subordination and alienation of women in institutions across the world, and the subsequent implications for security, governance and development. By providing this paradigm of analysis, Hudson's book brings new perspectives to every issue, and outlines the need for women inclusive institutions in every field. https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerie-hudson-6206a127 https://www.amazon.com/First-Political-Order-Governance-Worldwide/dp/0231194668 https://www.wilsoncenter.org/event/first-political-order-how-sex-shapes-governance-and-national-security-worldwide-book-launch Previous Next

Dr. Glenn Cross < Back “Wrestling with imponderables: assessing perceptions of biological-weapons utility” Dr. Glenn Cross How have state level actors developed their perception of biological weapons and their use? And how does that affect development and use by sub state actors? Dr. Glenn Cross’ analysis of the case studies and developmental paths taken over the past century in bioweapons development and state diplomacy over it reveals the background in which the bioterrorists of tomorrow operate. https://www.aiche.org/community/bio/dr-glenn-cross https://armscontrolcenter.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Klotz-Cross-V5-unpublished-draft-for-CACNP.pdf https://warontherocks.com/2017/08/long-ignored-the-use-of-chemical-and-biological-weapons-against-insurgents/ Previous Next

< Back TCM Thoughts on Ukrainian Science and Innovation - Challenges in Days of War Read in English on TCM's LinkedIn Newsletter Read in Ukrainian on TCM's Blog Project Gallery Previous Next

US Department of Defense < Back “Biodefense Posture Review 2023” US Department of Defense The first of its kind, the Biodefense Posture Review is a Department of Defense project to catalog, organize and build on disparate biodefense projects aimed at protecting the United States of America from not only naturally developing diseases like Covid-19, but also from a complex array of other biological threats. https://media.defense.gov/2023/Aug/17/2003282337/-1/-1/1/2023_BIODEFENSE_POSTURE_REVIEW.PDF https://www.csis.org/analysis/biodefense-posture-review-raises-alarms-about-new-threats-speaks-softly-china https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3495836/dod-unveils-collaborative-biodefense-reforms-in-posture-review/ Previous Next

Master Valerie Amos < Back “Women in Relief and Recovery: Putting Good Policies into Action” Master Valerie Amos “Disasters are discriminatory”, points out Master Valerie Amos in her article for the US National Defense University’s Women on the Frontlines of Peace and Security . Master Amos leverages her lifetime of experience working to prevent and alleviate humanitarian disasters to bring light to the importance of focusing on a gendered lens of humanitarian data collection and disaster response, due to the often-unseen needs of women and girls in aid and response situations. Her recommendations provide concrete guidelines for aid organizations involved in development and disaster response, and for the leadership of countries sponsoring and funding these organizations. https://www.linkedin.com/in/valerieamos https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valerie_Amos,_Baroness_Amos https://vimeo.com/169713139 Previous Next

Frank Hoffman < Back “Black Swans and Pink Flamingoes: Five Principles for Force Design” Frank Hoffman Over generations of American military planning, Frank Hoffman assesses that the record of foreseeing the location, nature and requirements of the next war have been dismal. As a result, he suggests, American planning techniques must fundamentally change to account for incorrect prediction and leave open to the United States a range of flexible avenues and responses to meet the needs of tomorrow’s crisis. https://www.linkedin.com/in/frank-hoffman-bb65407/ https://www.fpri.org/article/2015/08/black-swans-and-pink-flamingos-five-principles-for-force-design/ https://warontherocks.com/2015/08/black-swans-and-pink-flamingos-five-principles-for-force-design/ Previous Next

Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker < Back “Hinge Points: An Inside Look at North Korea’s Nuclear Program” Dr. Siegfried S. Hecker The North Korean nuclear program remains one of the worst failures of the nonproliferation regime till date. Despite strict protection of nuclear assets, fissile materiel and expertise, the 2005 nuclearization of the Korean peninsula owes its existence to glaring failures in the nonproliferation and materials security regime. Dr. Hecker’s overview of how the DPRK acquired its nuclear weapons serves as not only an indicator of holes in the nonproliferation system, but also in the failures of policy that led to it in the first place. https://cisac.fsi.stanford.edu/people/siegfried_s_hecker https://www.amazon.com/Hinge-Points-Inside-Nuclear-Program/dp/1503634450 https://www.armscontrol.org/act/2023-06/book-reviews/hinge-points-inside-look-north-koreas-nuclear-program Previous Next

Dr. Gary A. Ackerman, Zachary Kallenborn, Dr. Phillip C. Bleek < Back “Why COVID probably hasn’t helped bioterrorists, despite fears” Dr. Gary A. Ackerman, Zachary Kallenborn, Dr. Phillip C. Bleek Whether it be the doomsday cult Aum Shinrikyo or radical environmentalist group RISE, terror groups have historically attempted to deploy biological weapons against populations. Despite the grave difficulties of such an operation, has the environment of the Covid-19 pandemic made risks of another group successfully deploying enhanced pathogens for terror purposes? Though still unlikely, the pandemic has renewed fears of biological weapons of terror, and an interest in countering them. https://www.linkedin.com/in/gary-ackerman-a667453/ https://www.zkallenborn.com/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/philipp-bleek-24894a9/ Previous Next

Mariya Chukhnova serves as Project Coordinator at The Critical Mass. Before joining TCM, Mariya worked as Project Manager at Sovereign Ventures, a management consulting company that specializes in fighting systemic corruption in developing democracies by using innovative solutions. Mariya is a tri-lingual Ukraine-native professional with strong regional expertise. She was born and raised in Lutsk, Ukraine, and immigrated to the United States in 2007. Mariya Chukhnova Title: International Security Specialist and Operations Manager Email: mariya.chukhnova@thecriticalmass.com Mariya joined The Critical Mass in 2022 and currently serves as International Security Specialist and Operations Manager. She is responsible for a variety of tasks, including offering her expertise on international relations, anti-corruption strategies, and practical/research-backed strategies and recommendations to achieve project objectives; conducting in-depth research and analysis of international security issues, such as geopolitical conflicts, terrorism, cyber threats, and regional stability; overseeing day-to-day operations, monitoring progress, and addressing issues as they arise. Mariya is a trilingual (Ukrainian, Russian, English) expert in international security and regional knowledge, specializing in Eastern Europe, particularly Ukraine and Russia. With a diverse background in cybersecurity, rule of law, anti-corruption, and international security, Mariya possesses a distinctive skill set that is instrumental in formulating and executing programs and seeking solutions for complex global challenges. Mariya also acts as a United Nations representative for the World Federation of Ukrainian Women’s Organizations (WFUWO), advocating for Ukrainian women and promoting their rights. Since August 2020, Mariya has been actively involved in instructing the course "Systemic Corruption in Eurasia: Competition, Conflict, and War" at Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs/Harriman Institute, where she conducts a seminar, " Ukraine on the Eve of War and the Fight for Independence and Sovereignty,” that covers deoligarchization and other important initiatives to reform the system in Ukraine. Mariya earned her bachelor's degree in Slavic Studies from Columbia University School of General Studies and a master's degree in Regional Studies with a focus on Ukraine-Russia relations from The Harriman Institute at Columbia University. Mariya was born and raised in Lutsk, Ukraine, and immigrated to the United States in her early twenties.