Dr. Sandra Hobson currently serves as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense and Director, Secretariat for Special Operations in the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense 
(ASD) for Special Operations and Low-Intensity Conflict 
(SO/LIC).  She is responsible for providing advice, counsel, and executive assistance to ASD(SO/LIC) on all matters related to special operations administration, including the organization, readiness and employment of special operations forces, resources and equipment, and civilian personnel. 

Dr. Hobson was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in 2014.  She has been in the Office of Secretary of Defense since 2011 when she started as an Aircraft Systems and Weapons Staff Specialist in the Office of the Director, Operational Test and Evaluation (DOT&E).  Most recently, she served as the DOT&E Deputy Director for Strategic Initiatives, Policy, and Emerging Technologies (SIPET) responsible for the development of policy, and modernization of capabilities and workforce needed for testing and the evaluation of the operational performance of current and emerging DoD weapon systems, and updates to tactics, techniques, and procedures. She was also responsible for providing strategic guidance to the development and fielding of weaponeering tools in support of joint targeting.  Dr. Hobson performed the duties of the Principal Deputy DOT&E from January until December 2021.