We are seeking an experienced Lead Mission Systems Engineer to lead the design and implementation of mission-critical data systems for defense and federal operations. This contract leadership role combines deep technical expertise with project management capabilities to architect resilient, scalable systems that directly support organizational mission objectives and operational requirements within our government business unit.

Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Execution
▪ Lead cross-functional project teams in delivering mission-critical systems for defense and federal clients
▪ Manage technical project execution from requirements gathering through deployment and operational handoff
▪ Coordinate with government stakeholders, program managers, and technical teams to ensure project success
▪ Drive project delivery within scope, schedule, and budget constraints while maintaining quality standards

Technical Architecture & Implementation
▪Design and architect enterprise-scale big data analytics solutions using Apache Spark and modern data platforms
▪Lead implementation of MLOps pipelines using frameworks like mlFlow, including model serving, monitoring, and lifecycle management
▪ Architect GenAI and LLM solutions including model pre-training, fine-tuning, vector search, and RAG applications
▪ Oversee data governance implementation using tools like Unity Catalog and establish comprehensive data lineage

Project Team Development
▪Build and lead technical project teams including data engineers, system integrators, and software developers
▪ Implement project management methodologies and establish efficient development workflows
▪ Provide technical mentorship and guidance to team members throughout project lifecycle
▪ Conduct technical assessments for project staffing and resource allocation decisions

Mission Systems Delivery & Operations
▪ Architect and deploy mission-critical systems across multiple operational installations and environments
▪ Lead intelligent process automation initiatives that reduce operational overhead and enhance mission effectiveness
▪ Design resilient data pipelines and AI solutions capable of operating in secure, distributed mission environments
▪ Establish performance benchmarking and cost optimization for mission-critical system deployments
▪ Ensure mission system reliability, security, and compliance with federal operational requirements

Innovation & Emerging Technologies
▪ Stay current with state-of-the-art models and emerging AI/ML technologies
▪ Drive adoption of advanced computing paradigms including GPU acceleration, parallel processing, and HPC
▪ Lead research and development initiatives for next-generation data intelligence capabilities
▪ Establish partnerships with technology vendors and consulting organizations

Requirements
Education & Certifications
▪ Master's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Computer Science, or related field
▪ Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, or equivalent technical discipline
▪ Current certifications in major cloud platforms (AWS Certified Solutions Architect or equivalent)
▪ Industry certifications in data engineering, machine learning, or AI (Databricks, Google, Microsoft)

Technical Expertise
▪ Programming Languages: Expert-level proficiency in SQL, Python, C#; working knowledge of C++, CUDA
▪ Big Data & Analytics: Advanced experience with Apache Spark, distributed computing, and data pipeline architectures
▪ Cloud Platforms: Deep expertise in AWS; familiarity with Azure, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud Infrastructure
▪ AI/ML Technologies: Hands-on experience with MLOps, model deployment, GenAI, LLM fine-tuning, and vector databases
▪ Infrastructure: Proficiency with containerization (Docker, Kubernetes), serverless architectures, and network security

Leadership Experience
▪ 15+ years of progressive technology leadership experience
▪ Proven track record of building and leading large, distributed technical teams
▪ Experience managing complex, multi-million dollar technology initiatives
▪ Demonstrated ability to work with senior leadership and translate technical concepts to business stakeholders

Mission Systems Experience
▪ Extensive experience in defense/federal contracting with active security clearance
▪ Proven track record of deploying mission-critical systems across multiple operational installations
▪ Deep understanding of federal compliance requirements, security protocols, and operational constraints
▪ Experience architecting systems for agencies including DoD, Navy, IRS, DIU, CDAO, and JAIC
▪ Background in mission-critical enterprise system integration and transformation initiatives

Preferred Qualifications
▪ Active security clearance (TS/SCI) for government projects
▪ Experience with robotic process automation platforms (UiPath, Blue Prism)
▪ Background in statistical analysis and advanced analytics
▪ Publication record or speaking engagements in AI/ML conferences
▪ Experience with FPGA programming and hardware acceleration
▪ Demonstrated success in building profitable technology practices

Personal Attributes
▪ Strategic thinker with strong business acumen and technical depth
▪ Excellent communication skills with ability to present to C-level executives
▪ Collaborative leadership style with proven ability to influence without authority
▪ Continuous learner with passion for emerging technologies
▪ Results-driven with focus on measurable business impact
▪ Comfortable working in fast-paced, dynamic environments

Growth Opportunities
This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth including:
▪ Leading cutting-edge AI and data science initiatives
▪ Building and scaling high-performance technical organizations
▪ Influencing technology strategy at the enterprise level
▪ Establishing thought leadership in the data intelligence space

This position requires a leader who can seamlessly blend deep technical expertise with mission-focused strategic vision to architect and deliver transformational data and AI systems that directly support critical
operational objectives.

 All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, disability, veteran status, age, genetic information, or other legally protected status.