SETA Lead and Operations Manager

Grimm Co; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 185,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

New Venture Research Corporation (NVRC) is seeking an experienced Systems Engineering and Technical Advisor (SETA) Lead & Operations Manager to direct on-island activities and manage our multi-disciplinary Hawaii team. This role serves as the local leader for physical infrastructure and personnel, coordinating with contractor and program officials across time zones.

The position oversees daily operations of critical defense sites, including facilities, security, and procurement, with a focus on

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field is required; Master’s or executive leadership training preferred.
• 10+ years leading operations, program management, or cross-disciplinary technical teams in a DoD or federal contracting environment.
• Experience managing cross-functional technical teams (e.g., system administrators, engineers, security staff) of 15+ personnel.

Responsibilities

• Provide daily operational direction, priority alignment, and mentorship for Hawaii-based staff.
• Oversee on-island site operations, facilities, electrical/HVAC, and site security.
• Direct local procurement and review site-specific hardware and material purchases.
• Host VIP site tours and brief senior defense leadership; coordinate with PMOs and program officials across time zones.
• Maintain transition documents, site survey records, and local logs for program continuity.

Skills

Team leadership

Strategic communication

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, IT, or a related field

Job description

Job Title: Systems Engineering and Technical Advisor (SETA) Lead and Operations Manager

Employee Status: Full-Time

FLSA Classification: Exempt

Salary Range: $185,000 - $210,000 (Salary will be commensurate with skills, experience, and education of selected candidate.)

Date: 27August 2026

Summary

New Venture Research Corporation (NVRC) is a leading provider of innovative technology solutions supporting critical defense programs.

We are seeking an experienced, operationally focused Systems Engineering and Technical Advisor (SETA) Lead & Operations Manager to direct on-island activities and manage our multi-disciplinary Hawaii team. This position will serve as the primary local leader for our physical infrastructure and personnel, working in close synchronization with contractor and program officials in multiple time zones. Due to a strategic restructuring, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to work with the current incumbent during a transition period to mitigate the loss of historical program knowledge.

This role is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of multiple critical defense sites and providing leadership to a local team of engineers, system administrators, and security personnel.

Key Responsibilities

On-Island Team Leadership & Personnel Management

• Provide daily operational direction, priority alignment, and mentorship for the Hawaii-based staff (Construction Manager, Network Engineer, Site Security Officer, and System Administration teams).
• Conduct local recruitment, physical onboarding, and performance management.
• Serve as the primary mentor and direct supervisor for the site's Junior Engineer.

Daily Site Operations & Facility Management

• Oversee the physical operation, maintenance, and security of all physical site infrastructure, including electrical, HVAC, and site alarm response.
• Manage local contractor coordination, ensuring both cleared and uncleared maintenance contractors are properly escorted.
• Direct local procurement and review/approve site-specific hardware and material purchases.

Local Stakeholder & Partner Relations

• Host and help coordinate high-level VIP site tours and technical visits, including briefings for senior defense leadership.

Execution Tracking & Program Controls

• Maintain and update transition documents, site survey records, and local operational logs to ensure program continuity.
• Collaborate with contractor and program officials in multiple time zones to provide real-time field inputs for high-level PMO reporting and risk registers.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Demonstrated success managing cross-functional technical teams (e.g., systems administrators, engineers, facilities staff) of 15+ personnel.
• Exceptional strategic communication and briefing skills.
• Proven capability to manage high-level stakeholder relationships.

Required Education and Length of Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Engineering, IT, or a related field (Master’s or executive leadership training highly preferred).
• 10+ years professional experience leading operations, program management, or multi-disciplinary technical teams within a DoD or federal contracting environment.

Travel Requirements

Travel up to 20% may be required.

Due to our contracts with the U.S. federal government and the requirement for a security clearance for this role, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain a Top Secret with SCI eligibility (TS/SCI) security clearance. After the proper clearance level is obtained; the employee must be able to maintain the clearance at the appropriate level for the duration of employment. Candidates with an existing clearance are highly preferred.

NVRC is an equal opportunity employer and a VEVRAA contractor dedicated to merit- and value-based employment decisions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We are committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities per the guidelines set forth by the ADA and the ADAAA. If you require an accommodation to participate in the application or interview process, please contact Human Resources by phone at 256-583-3471.