Communications Technology Project Lead

Systems Planning & Analysis; Norfolk (VA); On-site; USD 135,000 - 185,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings plans

Paid time off

Job summary

Systems Planning & Analysis is seeking an experienced professional to support national security efforts by managing technical programs and policies. The ideal candidate will lead strategy documents, coordinate with multi-agency stakeholders, and resolve complex technical challenges.

Qualified candidates will have a Bachelor's degree, 10+ years of relevant experience, and an active Secret clearance. An understanding of the US Navy Submarine Community is preferred, and the position offers a competitive salary between $135k-$185k based on experience and qualifications.

Qualifications

• 10+ years’ experience with Federal Government, program management, or systems integration.
• Active Secret clearance is required.
• Demonstrated experience with Navy staff operations.
• Expertise in managing complex technology programs.
• Deep understanding of the US Navy Submarine Community preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the development of policy and strategy documents.
• Serve as the primary liaison with stakeholders.
• Identify and mitigate complex technical risks.
• Define high-level capability requirements.
• Plan logistics for technical installations.
• Develop strategic communications for leadership.
• Lead cross-functional teams to achieve objectives.

Skills

Program management

Technical problem solving

Risk management

Communications skills

Cross-functional leadership

Education

Bachelor’s Degree

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. Objective. Responsive. Trusted.

The AUKUS, Submarines, and Industrial Base Group (ASIG), within the Sea, Land, Air Division, provides timely, objective, analytic assessments that integrate technical, operational, programmatic, policy and business analysis to NAVSEA Team Submarine program offices and key stakeholders surrounding submarine platform construction. Team Submarine unifies submarine platform procurement activities, which includes the Columbia-class SSBN program (a Major Defense Acquisition Program and the Navy’s top acquisition priority), the Virginia-class SSN program and the new SSN-X program (developing the next generation attack submarine), to bring improved capabilities to our undersea forces. Analysts and Engineers supporting Team Submarine will continue SPA’s decades of support to the SSBN force, as well as supporting oversight of cutting-edge attack submarine construction, assisting in developing the design requirements for the SSN platform of the future, and helping plan and execute new and innovative strategies to strengthen the critical submarine shipbuilding industrial base. These are high-profile, major acquisition and manufacturing programs of significant importance to the future capabilities of the US Navy in an era of renewed strategic competition. #MC

Responsibilities

• Strategic Architecture & Policy Development: Lead and coordinate the development of critical policy, architecture, and strategy documents, including Courses of Action (COAs) for strategic architectures, network access policies, and system accreditation strategies.
• Multi-Agency & International Coordination: Serve as the primary liaison and action officer orchestrating engagements across a wide range of U.S. and Australian stakeholders, including PEO Digital, NAVIFOR, DISA, NIWC PAC, ONI, COMSUBFOR, and RAN counterparts, to define requirements and ensure strategic alignment.
• Technical Problem Solving & Risk Management: Proactively identify, analyze, and mitigate complex technical, financial, and programmatic risks, including addressing major transport circuit cost and schedule overruns, managing engineering concerns on emerging solutions, and resolving critical access and authentication challenges.
• Requirements Definition & Integration: Review, analyze, and refine high-level capability requirements documents to ensure technical feasibility and long-term sustainment, such as mandating hybrid IT service models.
• Programmatic & Logistical Planning: Drive planning efforts for major technical installations and workshops, including coordinating logistics for "fly away" kits, baselining crypto and COMSEC account requirements, JWICS installations, and shaping the agenda for international planning workshops.
• High-Level Communications: Develop and deliver strategic communications, including flag-level briefings, talking points, and Government Executive Memos (GEMs), to ensure leadership awareness and drive decision-making on critical issues.
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership: Lead and motivate purpose-built teams across functional, organizational, and international boundaries to achieve complex objectives, such as establishing pilot programs for CUI collaboration and developing Exception to Policy (ETP) packages for critical technologies.

Benefits & Compensation

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. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications. Salary Range: $135k-$185k.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree and 10+ years’ experience with Federal Government, program management, or systems integration
• Clearance: Active Secret
• Demonstrated experience with TYCOM staff or other Echelon 3+ Navy staff operations
• Expertise in managing complex, multi-stakeholder technology programs, preferably within a DoD or international context
• Deep understanding of the US Navy Submarine Community and its operational environment (preferred SSNs)
• Proven ability to identify, analyze, and mitigate programmatic and technical risk
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with extensive experience drafting formal policy, technical papers, and flag-level correspondence and briefings
• Experience working directly with international partners; capable of effectively liaising between military, engineering, and government stakeholders on complex technical and policy issues
• Superior organizational, planning, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to drive progress on multiple workstreams simultaneously