Cybersecurity Chief Engineer

Mercer University; Warner Robins (GA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and dental insurance

Retirement

Tuition reimbursement

Vacation/sick leave accrual

Holiday pay

Job summary

Mercer University’s Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC) seeks a Cybersecurity Chief Engineer to lead contracts, manage technical resources, and direct program execution. You will mentor technical leads, ensure compliance with MERC processes, and drive business development across DoD and commercial customers.

Ideal candidate holds a PhD or MS in engineering with extensive leadership experience and a background in software, cybersecurity, or related disciplines.

Qualifications

• US Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a to DoD Security Clearance.
• PhD in engineering with 10+ years related experience (or MS with 12+ years, or BS with 13+ years).
• Experience leading technical teams: 11+ years with advanced degree or 13+ years with undergraduate degree.
• Extensive experience in aerospace, electrical, software, environmental, biomedical, mechanical, and systems engineering.
• Able to draft clear reports on contracts, resources, and outcomes.

Responsibilities

• Track technical status for contracts in the directorate and report to the technical director.
• May serve as a technical lead on contracts.
• Identify resources required for the technical area; hire, train, and equip the team.
• Ensure engineering artifacts meet MERC standards and document lessons learned.
• Lead business development with new customers and capabilities.
• Communicate with senior leadership about program issues and challenges.
• Serve as the primary focal point to customers within the technical area and MERC.
• Lead capture efforts on contract opportunities with the strategy and business development teams.

Skills

DoD clearance

Security clearance

Leadership

Communication

Team coordination

Education

ABET-accredited PhD in engineering

ABET-accredited MS in engineering

ABET-accredited BS in engineering

Job description

Job Title: Cybersecurity Chief Engineer

Department: MERC

College/Division: Mercer Engineering Research Center

Primary Job Posting Location: Warner Robins, GA 31088-7810

Job Details: Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), a research institute of Mercer University, provides high quality engineering, scientific, and technical support services to both government and private industry customers. Responsible for the execution of all contractual efforts, including design, development, prototyping, production, operation, etc., as applicable. Sets the example for and advises/mentors all technical leads and contract personnel. Performs all duties and responsibilities under the supervision of the respective technical director.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• For all contracts in the technical directorate, tracks technical status and reports issues with recommended solutions to technical director
• May serve as a technical lead on contracts
• Responsible for identifying all technical resources required for the respective technical area and works to hire, train, and equip the technical area. Ensures MERC is not one deep in any position. Identifies qualifications/ requirements to technical director and Sr. Manager, Employee Services
• Responsible for the accuracy and sufficiency of all engineering artifacts required to comply with MERC Standard Processes. Reviews the quality and effectiveness of the finished product and documents the Lessons Learned for completeness. They are the release authority of all deliverables
• Responsible for business development with new customers and new capabilities, both DoD-wide and commercial
• Communicates with the Technical Director, the Director of Acquisition Strategy, the Sr. Director of Engineering and Programs, and the Executive Director and keeps them informed of all aspects of their programs, especially issues and challenges
• Primary focal point to current customers within the respective technical area and across MERC
• Serves as the capture manager on contract opportunities; leads the proposal team in concert with the Director of Acquisition Strategy and the Senior Manager of Business Development
• Recommends training for new employees in the technical area
• Justifies all budget and resource allocation recommendations to senior management for the technical area
• Provides capital investment requirements for the technical area to the technical director
• Protects MERC competition-sensitive, proprietary information and intellectual property from those without a need-to-know

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• US Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
• A Ph.D. in a relevant engineering field (e.g., Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science etc.) from an ABET accredited institution and 10 years of directly related technical experience; or a Master’s degree in same and 12 years of directly related technical experience; or an undergraduate degree in same and 13 years of directly related technical experience
• Experience leading technical teams: 11 years with an advanced degree or 13 years with an undergraduate degree.
• Extensive experience in the designated industry including, but not limited to, aerospace, electrical, software, environmental, biomedical, mechanical, and systems engineering
• Experience leading teams of individuals from a variety of different backgrounds and disciplines
• Knowledge of the principles of engineering, analysis, test, and design
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with an obsessive attention to detail.
• Able to collaborate and bridge the communication gap between the engineering team, service technicians, business development, operations staff, and clients
• Superior budgeting and cost management abilities, assessing estimated costs early in the program and bringing the actual costs within budget
• Able to draft clear and comprehensive reports on assigned contracts, the use and allocation of resources, and the quality of each finished program
• Possess technical acumen and the ability to troubleshoot on a variety of programs
• Able to perform business development activities to include customer interface, estimating and scheduling, technical proposal development, and follow-through

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Demonstrated ability to develop and execute a long-term strategic vision for software and cybersecurity capabilities that aligns technical investments with organizational growth objectives.
• Recognized technical leader in one or more advanced cyber disciplines including cyber operations, secure software engineering, DevSecOps, Zero Trust architectures, artificial intelligence/machine learning, cloud security, digital engineering, systems security engineering, or emerging technology integration.
• Proven track record of identifying, developing, and maturing new technical capabilities that resulted in measurable business growth, market expansion, or competitive advantage.
• Demonstrated success challenging conventional approaches and introducing innovative solutions that improve mission effectiveness, technical performance, operational efficiency, or customer outcomes.
• Strong understanding of Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Federal, and commercial cybersecurity markets, including emerging technology trends, threats, acquisition strategies, and customer priorities.
• Experience translating market opportunities, customer challenges, and emerging technologies into actionable research, development, investment, and capture strategies.
• Demonstrated history of identifying opportunities where existing processes, technologies, or organizational assumptions were limiting growth, and successfully leading transformational change despite institutional resistance.

BENEFITS OF WORKING AT MERC

MER C offers a generous benefits package including

• health and dental insurance
• retirement
• tuition reimbursement
• vacation/sick leave accrual
• holiday pay

Why Work at Mercer University

Mercer University offers a variety of benefits for eligible employees including

• comprehensive health insurance (for self and dependents)
• generous retirement contributions
• tuition waivers
• paid vacation and sick leave
• technology discounts
• schedules that allow for work-life balance

and so much more! At Mercer University, a Bear is more than a mascot: it's a frame of mind that begins with a strong desire to make the most out of your career. Mercer Bears do not settle for mediocrity or the status quo. If you're seeking an environment where your passion and determination are embraced, then you want to work at Mercer University. For more information, please visit: https://hr.mercer.edu/prospective-employees/

Why Work at Mercer

Mercer University offers a variety of benefits for eligible employees including

• comprehensive health insurance (for self and dependents)
• generous retirement contributions
• tuition waivers
• paid time off
• technology discounts
• and so much more!

At Mercer University, a Bear is more than a mascot: it's a frame of mind that begins with a strong desire to make the most out of your career. Mercer Bears do not settle for mediocrity or the status quo. If you're seeking an environment where your passion and determination are embraced, then you want to work at Mercer University.

Scheduled Weekly Hours: 40

Job Family: Staff MERC Exempt

EEO Statement: EEO/Veteran/Disability

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER The University will ensure equal opportunity for applicants and employees in all of its policies and practices, including, but not limited to, recruiting, hiring, transfers, promotions, compensation, benefits, layoff and recall policies, University-sponsored training programs, education, tuition assistance, and social and recreational programs. Persons needing reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the application process or for other questions regarding employment at Mercer University, please contact Human Resources.