Cyber Capabilities Development Lead

Systems Planning & Analysis; Chantilly (VA); On-site; USD 200,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) is seeking a Cyber Capabilities Development Lead to oversee rapid prototype programs and federated teams across military, civilian, and contractor personnel.

You will develop cyber tools and tactics, drive SAP-level capabilities, and shape strategies for national defense use. The role requires 15+ years of leadership in cyber/DoD environments, experience briefing senior officials, and strong acquisition knowledge.

Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI clearance at time of application.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related technical field.
• 15+ years of technical and operational leadership at multiple levels within DoD/Cyber environments.
• Acquisition experience including requirements, contract oversight, and testing/acceptance.
• Experience with Cyber Command and NSA leadership priorities.
• Experience briefing senior Government officials.
• Experience budgeting, scheduling, and resource reallocation with multiple stakeholders.
• DoD 5000.02, JCIDS, and OT contracting familiarity.
• PM tools and Digital Engineering exposure (MBSE, Jira, Confluence, DOORS).
• Willing to travel monthly; able to work in Chantilly, VA or McLean, VA.

Responsibilities

• Lead cyber capability development for SAP-level capabilities.
• Coordinate diverse experts to define targets, vulnerabilities, and strategies.
• Develop communication strategies to support national/combatant priorities.
• Provide analysis to support decision making on cyber capability development.
• Ensure developments meet USCYBERCOM requirements and schedules.
• Prepare executive briefings, reports, and summary papers; communicate complex concepts clearly.
• Reduce reliance on IC assets; lead a team with technical/expert capabilities.
• Coordinate activities with DARPA, DoD efforts, and international partners.
• Lead international outreach to leverage allied capabilities.

Skills

Security clearance

Leadership

Risk management

Cyber program knowledge

Policy & strategy briefing

Education

Engineering/CS/Physics degree

Tools

MS Project

Jira

Confluence

DOORS

Job description

Overview

Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc. (SPA) delivers high-impact, technical solutions to complex national security issues. With over 50 years of business expertise and consistent growth, we are known for continuous innovation for our government customers, in both the US and abroad. Our exceptionally talented team is highly collaborative in spirit and practice, producing Results that Matter . Come work with the best! We offer opportunity, unique challenges, and clear-sighted commitment to the mission. SPA: Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The Space and Intelligence Division provides professional services to the US Space Force, Combatant Commands, Intelligence Community, and NASA. Our work includes enterprise architectural assessments, systems engineering and integration, test, planning and execution, cost estimating and analysis, acquisition support, and cybersecurity. We are trusted partners developing approaches and concepts to meet emerging high priority needs, assessing cutting-edge technologies, and supporting capabilities for our National Defense. Come join the fastest growing Division at Systems Planning and Analysis, Inc.

The Strategic Technology Analysis Group, part of SPA’s Space and Intelligence Division, offers sophisticated capabilities (people, process & tools) to resolve unique problems in space, cyber, and special operations in support to military services, Secretary of Defense offices (OSD) and theater warfighters. Our portfolio includes the Assistant Secretary of Air Force for Space Acquisition & Integration (SAF/SQ), Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC), Space Security and Defense Program (SSDP), National Space Defense Center (NSDC), Space Warfighting Analysis Center (SWAC), Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO), US Space Command (USSPACECOM) and US Space Force (USSF). Come be a part of a high-speed low-drag organization providing unique and tailored solutions for our National Defense!

SPA has a need for a Cyber Capabilities Development Lead.

Responsibilities

This position directly supports the Government PM in leading an OSW R&D Office rapid prototype development program and a federated team of military, civilian, and contracted personnel which develops accesses, discovers vulnerabilities, and engineers cyber tools and develops tactics, techniques, and procedures for the potential use of these assets and capabilities in offensive cyber operations.

• Provide leadership and technical oversight and lead Cyber capability development team members in development of Special Access Program (SAP) level Cyber capabilities.
• Organize and influence a diverse community of experts from across the Operations, Acquisition and Intelligence Communities to define the targets, identify potential vulnerabilities, set technical direction, and develop engineering strategies to provide integrated capabilities to the operational community.
• Develop and implement communication and messaging strategies regarding these capabilities to support national and/or combatant command priorities.
• P rovide objective information and analysis supporting decision making on cyber-relevant Science and Technology (S&T) capability development, integration activities, and transition support.
• Ensure capabilities being developed meet DOW / USCYBERCOM requirements and R&D Office programmatic schedules.
• Prepare and deliver executive level briefings, reports, and summary papers; explain complex concepts in relatively simple language; summarize key decisions; and provide recommendations supported by analysis.
• Decrease USCYBERCOM reliance on accesses, tools, and expertise provided by the intelligence community; lead a team to provide technical and operational expertise on par with that of similar intelligence community programs.
• Coordinate development activities with, and, as appropriate, collaborate efforts to share capabilities from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, other DOW development efforts, industry subject matter experts, related international efforts, and components within the intelligence community.
• Lead international outreach to leverage similar capabilities of allies.

Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI security clearance at time of application
• Bachelor’s or Master's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Physics, or related technical field or equivalent professional experience
• 15+ years of technical and operational leadership experience including leading teams or units at tactical, operational, Combatant Command, and national levels, typically within the DOW or JFHQ-C, Cyber mission forces sectors
• Acquisition experience to include requirements generation, validation, oversight of contract performance, and testing evaluation or operational acceptance
• Experience with day-to-day operations of Cyber Command and/or National Security Agency senior leadership, to include in depth understanding of leadership priorities
• Experience briefing senior Government officials
• Experience budgeting, developing cyber task direction letters, statements of work, key tasks, critical milestones, progress reports, and project schedules to meet program objectives, and abandoning development efforts (fail fast) to redistribute resources and reallocate efforts, while simultaneously keeping multiple stakeholders informed
• Demonstrated initiative and ability to plan, work, and deliver leading a diverse team focused on delivering critical cyber capabilities
• Demonstrated experience supporting IC or DOW Compartmented/Special Access Programs (CAPs/SAPs)
• Knowledge of current and emerging cyber technologies
• Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for mitigating risk)
• Knowledge of emerging technologies that have potential for exploitation
• Knowledge of external organizations and academic institutions with cyber focus (e.g., cyber curriculum/training and Research & Development)
• Ability to analyze organizational cyber policy; determine the validity of technology trend data; define and integrate current and future mission environments; establish and maintain communication channels and seek consensus with stakeholders and transition partners
• Expertise in DoD 5000.02, JCIDS, acquisition regulations and Other Transaction Contracting
• Familiarity with Program Management tools, Digital Engineering, MBSE tools (e.g., MS Project, Jira, Confluence, DOORS)
• Able to support monthly travel, along with weekly local travel in the NCR
• Able to work full time in a Chantilly, VA or McLean, VA office within SCIF/SAPF spaces

Desired Qualifications

• TS/SCI + Poly
• Professional certifications: PMP or DAWIA (Level III)

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. SPA provides eligible employees with an opportunity to enroll in a variety of benefit programs, generally including health insurance, flexible spending accounts, health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and a number of programs that provide for both paid and unpaid time away from work. The specific programs and options available to any given employee may vary depending on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, etc. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $200,000.00/Yr. - USD $250,000.00/Yr.