Systems Integration Lab Manager

Systems Integration Lab Manager

Centurion seeks highly qualified Systems Integration Lab Manager with a strong working knowledge of network engineering to provide expert guidance and direction underpinning on-site support to Air Force Life Cycle Management Center / Cyber and Networks Directorate. This position is onsite in San Antonio, TX. As a Systems Integration Lab Manager, you will be responsible for overseeing and managing a multi-site systems integration lab environment. Your role will involve leading a team of engineers and technicians in developing, integrating, and deploying advanced technologies to support mission-critical operations. The individual will provide advanced technical expertise and leadership in the development, integration, and deployment of cutting-edge technologies to support HNCD missions, and will directly engage in a range of services, to include research & development, proof of concepts, testing, integration and validation of secure communications and network technologies, cryptographic modernization, and employment of defensive cyberspace capabilities. Position requires free thinking and independent judgement to lead teams developing technical solutions to answer hard challenges, ensuring mission and customer success.

Primary Responsibilities

• Manage and lead the systems integration lab to ensure efficient operation and maintenance of lab facilities.
• Manage lab resources, including budgeting and equipment / material procurement.
• Provide expert full system engineering lifecycle support on complex data systems and networks.
• Assign tasks, manage workloads, and provide performance execution leadership and guidance.
• Responsible for the surveying, engineering, installing, configuring, and reliably operating computer systems, servers, and networks.
• Provide strategic leadership on complex policy issues involving technology such as Data Analytics, Autonomous Systems, and Cybersecurity.
• Integrate hardware, software, and network solutions to enhance the Air Force's HNCD operational capabilities, with focus on ensuring interoperability between different systems and platforms.
• System engineering expertise required for some or all the following areas : system architecture and design; requirements analysis and development; data flow analysis; network design and implementation; and testing and documentation.
• Provide guidance for system development and implementation through plans assessment.
• Develop system configuration documentation, to include designs for capacity and performance planning; performing risk assessments; and analyses of alternatives for a variety of system related issues and concerns.
• Supervise or coordinate the work of other contractor engineers or technicians on various projects.
• Analyze and propose appropriate engineering standards and processes and assist in conducting evaluations to determine suitability for project implementation and develop new or innovative approaches to technical or engineering issues.
• Support rigorous testing and validation of systems in simulated and real world environments.
• Mentor junior systems engineers to build technical expertise within the organization and foster collaboration across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Communicate complex information, concepts, or ideas in a confident and well-organized manner through verbal, written, and / or visual means.
• Prepare and perform briefings appropriate for senior leadership (i.e., general officer or flag officer).
• Support development of standards, metrics and measures to support assessments, process improvements and operational efficiencies across HNCD.

Basic Qualifications

Bachelor's degree and 8+ years of related experience or a Masters and 6+ years of related experience. A combination of education and experience will be considered in lieu of a degree. Must have a DoD 8570 IAT Level II approved certification (CompTIA Security+) Proven experience leading technical teams, providing direction, mentorship, and coordination to achieve project goals Hands-on experience operating within Agile frameworks, contributing to iterative planning, development, and delivery cycles Skilled in designing, deploying, testing, implementing, and migrating complex network infrastructure solutions Practical expertise in SD-WAN technologies, including platforms such as Cisco, VERSA, and Juniper Deep knowledge of large-scale WAN environments, MPLS architecture, and core routing protocols such as BGP, OSPF, EIGRP, and ISIS Strong background in campus and enterprise networking, with a focus on high availability and performance optimization Proficient in conducting in-depth research to troubleshoot networking issues and evaluate emerging technologies and products Experienced in creating technical diagrams and network documentation using Microsoft Visio US Citizen with at least a Secret security clearance eligible to upgrade to Top Secret for access to SCI

Preferred Qualifications

Familiarity with API automation / orchestration tools / systems such as Ansible and Python Scripting. Familiarity working within structured CI / CD DevOps pipelines. Strong understanding of virtualization, hypervisor, HCI, cloud-native, and container technologies. Prior experience with Public / Gov / DoD Cloud environments and implementing virtualized network infrastructure. Hands-on experience with Firewalls (e.g. Palo Alto, Cisco, Juniper, etc.). Familiarity / Experience with Remote Access VPN solutions, IPsec, TLS, PKI. Strong understanding of SASE / SSE Zero Trust principles / products (Cisco Secure Access, Prisma, zScaler, VERSA, AppGate, etc.). Professional and / or Expert level Certifications / Specializations in industry leading SDN technology (e.g. Cisco, Juniper, VERSA, etc.). Maintain current knowledge of industry trends and tools to provide best practice insight and best-in-class recommendations to management. Demonstrated advanced technical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Ability to solve problems and resolve project dysfunction using creativity or leveraging core values. Experience should be beyond just user admin level and include building environments from the ground up, maintenance and deep troubleshooting.