Strategic Communications Specialist

Tecolote Research, Inc.; El Segundo (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Disability insurance

Retirement plan

Paid time off

Job summary

Tecolote Research, Inc. is seeking a SME Strategic Communications Analyst to support the SSC/S6 Director, Cyber & Data team in Los Angeles, CA.

This role directly contributes to national security by developing messaging and DoD-aligned communication strategies across space cyber and data modernization programs. The ideal candidate brings 10–15+ years of federal acquisition experience, senior-level writing, event production, and cross-functional collaboration, with active DoD Top Secret clearance

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years of applicable job experience, with a strong preference for 15+ years in Federal Government acquisition (e.g., DoD, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force).
• Direct familiarity with Program Management of ACAT I through ACAT III programs, space acquisition, and U.S. Space Force terminology.
• Expert knowledge of DoD tools such as TMT, SharePoint, Confluence, Jira, and advanced MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Familiarity with Generative AI tools to accelerate content drafting and research within secure guidelines.
• Exceptional verbal, written, and multimedia communication skills with senior leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end event planning and production for SSC Cyber Expo.
• Manage taskers and documents using TMT and SharePoint.
• Draft and edit articles, speeches, testimony, and RFIs for S6 Director and senior leadership.
• Develop modern communication products, brand strategies, and guidelines.
• Provide multimedia capabilities including photography and video production.

Skills

Federal government acquisition

Program management ACAT I-III

DoD tools: TMT

SharePoint

Confluence

Jira

MS Office Suite

Generative AI literacy

Communication skills

Senior leadership interaction

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

TMT

SharePoint

Confluence

Jira

MS Office

Job description

Tecolote Research, Inc. is seeking a talented, self-driven individual for a position as a SME Strategic Communications Analyst to support the SSC/S6 Director, Cyber & Data team in Los Angeles, CA. In this role, your work will have a profound impact on the country's most critical mission—protecting our national security by securing and modernizing the Space Force's cyber and data systems.

Responsibilities

Supporting the SSC/S6 Director, Cyber & Data and their Chief of Staff as a key member of the team, the candidate will be responsible for the development and implementation of communication strategies that adhere to DoD and U.S. Space Force policies and guidance. The team member will:

• SSC Cyber Expo Execution: Lead and support the end-to-end event planning, coordination, and production for the SSC Cyber Expo—Space Systems Command’s premier event uniting leaders and innovators across the DoW, industry, and academia for three days of cyber strategy, operations, technology, and mission-focused collaboration to advance our space-based assets.
• Tasker & Content Management: Use the Task Management Tool (TMT) and SharePoint to initiate, track, collaborate on, and close out various directorate, SSC, and Space Force Command taskers and documents.
• Strategic Writing & Messaging: Research, draft, and edit articles, speeches, testimony, program acquisition point papers, briefings, and responses to Congressional, HHQ, and media Requests for Information (RFIs) for the S6 Director and senior leadership.
• Product Development: Develop a range of modern communication products, brand strategies, and guidelines to defend, educate, and promote the organization's cyber and data mission.
• Multimedia & Design: Provide full-service multimedia capabilities demonstrating professional knowledge in photography, end-to-end video production, and innovative design leveraging the latest technologies.
• Staff Integration: Assemble and provide instruction on the completion of electronic Staff Summary Sheet (eSSS) packages.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work cross-functionally with internal stakeholders to create communication plans that align with the organization’s overall strategic objectives for space cyber defense and data modernization programs.
• Executive Engagement Support: Support senior leader strategic engagements and preparation packages, and facilitate Director PMRs, All-Calls, and other high-level meetings or event productions.
• Leadership Advisory: Effectively communicate with offices at each leadership level (Directorate, Center, MAJCOM, SF, DoD) and advise leadership on the status of assigned deliverables.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills Required

• Experience: Minimum 10 years of applicable job experience, with a strong preference for 15+ years in Federal Government acquisition (e.g., DoD, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Air Force).
• Domain Knowledge: Direct familiarity with Program Management of ACAT I through ACAT III programs, space acquisition, and U.S. Space Force terminology.
• Technical & Platform Skills: Expert knowledge of DoD tools such as TMT, SharePoint, Confluence, Jira, and advanced MS Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
• Generative AI Literacy: Familiarity and comfort utilizing modern AI tools, specifically ChatGPT and Gemini, to accelerate content drafting, research synthesis, and communication workflows within secure guidelines.
• Communication: Exceptional verbal, written, and multimedia communication skills, with a sharp attention to detail and the ability to interact comfortably with senior executive leadership.
• Mindset: Goal-oriented, strategic thinker who is also willing to execute tactical communication and large-scale event production tasks.
• Citizenship: U.S. Citizenship is required.
• Clearance: Active DoD Top Secret clearance is required.

Salary Range: $90,000 - $120,000/Year, DOE

Education

Bachelor’s degree required, preferably in math, engineering, business, or the sciences.

Full-Time

SecurityClearance

Senior-Level

On-site

We offer competitive salaries commensurate with education and experience. We have an excellent benefits package that includes:

Health & Welfare

Company Paid

• Major Medical Insurance for employees and family members
• Dental Insurance for employees and family members
• Vision Insurance for employees (employee-paid for family members)
• Group Life Insurance
• Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance
• Travel Accident Insurance
• Long-Term Disability

Voluntary

• Short-Term Disability
• Supplemental Life Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (pre-tax deferrals for health care expenses)

Retirement

• Money Purchase Pension Plan - 100% Company funded defined contribution retirement plan. One-year entry waiting period and 5-year vesting. Core Funds available and a self-directed brokerage account option.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan - 100% Company funded discretionary contribution. 100% vested after one-year entry waiting period.

Time Off

Tecolote’s generous paid time off benefits give employees the flexibility they need to relax, recharge and take care of the unexpected.