Strategic Communications Lab

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Department Summary:

The Survivable Communication Systems Department (N131) as part of MITRE's AF Nuclear Enterprise Programs Division (N130) is seeking a Lab Operations Manager who will be the Strategic Communications Lab (SCL) Operations Manager continuing with the evolution of the SCL to a future Nuclear Command, Control and Communications (NC3) testbed, that includes commercial SATCOM, VLF and HF comm systems.Join MITRE’s Survivable Communication Systems Department working on state-of-the-art strategic communications systems for the Department of Defense (DoD). We are seeking candidates experienced with technical support in the areas of military or commercial communications systems to help address our sponsors’ critical problems for next generation communications protocols, systems, and technologies.

Roles & Responsibilities:

• Partner with division and project leadership to determine lab needs and lead the lab’s strategy and development through creation of a 3-year roadmap to support project needs and the N130 Lab Strategy.
• Coordinate allocations of SCL staff including ISSOs, System Administrators, and N131 technicians in collaboration with Project leaders and N131 Leadership to ensure the lab compliance is met and project capabilities are maintained
• Provide leadership and manage execution of the Strategic Communications lab (SCL) with a hands-on approach interacting with existing/prospective customers, industry leaders, and MITRE project leaders, task leads, and technical staff to maximize the SCL impact to sponsors and projects
• Manage and direct Technical Project Assistants’ work, in conjunction with project task leads, and provide work leader feedback to supervisors as requested
• Discuss and coordinate with N130 project leaders, task leaders, and Government users on the integration of new lab capabilities, work and test activities/schedules, lab VIP visits and demos, and prioritization of activities as needed with the goal of making the SCL lab the premier NC3 lab
• Maintain an overall lab schedule to aid in coordinating work and Capital Improvement Project efforts and minimizing impact to ongoing activities
• Manage, maintain, operate, supervise tech refresh, and upgrade SCL (computers, networks, radios/terminals, software, analysis tools, facilities, etc.) as required to ensure viability to support project research, proof-of-concept/prototype development, integration, analysis, characterization, and test initiatives
• Lead and mentor staff to ensure the staff have an operating knowledge/skillset across the spectrum of lab infrastructure (physical and virtual computer systems, software and diagnostic tools, radio/terminal operation and integration, etc.)
• Partner with corporate security and classified infrastructure team/system administrators to deploy new project and lab capabilities while maintaining System Security Plans (SSP), lab network infrastructure, and Risk Management Framework (RMF) compliance.
• Coordinate with Corporate Facilities for upkeep and maintenance of the physical space in accordance with SCIF standard ICD705
• Identify and coordinate for the installation and repair of MITRE and Government equipment
• Keep the lab in good standing with all corporate data calls and tracking requirements (e.g., LabTrack system, Capital Purchase Requests)
• Expect to perform the above activities at an ongoing 25% level of effort and the remainder of their time to relevant work programs

Basic Qualifications:

• Typically requires a minimum of 8 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 6 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 3 years’ experience or equivalent combination of related education and work experience.

• A current Top Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance
• At least 3 years of experience working in a lab environment
• Work experience and subject matter expertise in one or more of the following areas: radio frequency communications systems, digital signals processing, test and evaluation, cybersecurity, NC3 systems, NC2 mission
• Demonstrated ability to collect requirements/user needs and lead a team in shaping and executing a plan to meet those needs.
• Excellent communications and people skills required to collaborate/coordinate with a variety of people with different backgrounds and objectives (e.g., MITRE technical staff, government test organizations (for test events), government Program Offices (for visits), Military (visits and testing), Corporate Security, Corporate facilities, etc.).
• Understanding of classified infrastructure with respect to multiple enclaves and security requirements for a classified environment and the ability to understand the impact of lab renovation and operations
• Strong business acumen to understand lab operations and requirements, negotiate for capabilities, and help set a strategic vision for the future and future sponsor support
• Motivation to expand knowledge and skills and assume responsibility
• Proven track record to try new things and achieve significant work program, sponsor, or organizational outcomes
• This position has an on-site requirement of 5 days a week on-site

Preferred Qualifications:

• Domain experience in strategic communications systems, Military and Commercial SATCOM
• Domain knowledge of nuclear command, control, and communications (NC3) weapon system and the Nuclear Enterprise
• Top Secret / SCI with COMSEC, CRYPTO, CNWDI, NATO
• SIPRNet and JWICS accounts

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Work Location Type:

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