ACC-A6 Strategic Cyberspace Integration Project Lead

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MITRE’s N143 Mission Platforms and Infrastructure Department is seeking a Project Leader for the ACC/A6 Strategic Cyberspace Integration Project, which as a priority, growing project in the Air and Space Forces Center and is the primary project providing analyses, recommendations, and execution of the Secretary of the Air Force Operational Imperative focused on cyber defense and resiliency of IT, weapon, and OT systems critical to quickly transition to a wartime posture. This is a high profile and critical role positioned to provide tremendous mission impact and growth opportunity.

The successful candidate will lead a diverse team of cyber professionals developing and implementing Zero Trust strategies, roadmap, tools, and tactics for the Department of the Air Force to defend mission systems, weapon systems, and control systems. The work requires working across ACC, as the Lead Command for Cyber, and many other senior organizations that include SAF/CN, C3I&N, PACAF, and operational units to identify use cases and perform operational analysis, build technical requirements, develop executable plans, drive execution of proof-of-concepts and support acquisition and implementation of advance Zero Trust based cyber defense capabilities. Solutions must consider Zero Trust-based capabilities applied to fixed and mobile environments to ensure support for All-Domain operations. Work will include integration and convergence of enabling technologies such as Identity, Credential Access Management (ICAM) and micro-segmentation capabilities. Consideration of Zero Trust support for operational technologies is also of importance.

Candidates should have a demonstrated successful track record and exposure to or experience with common defensive cyber concepts and frameworks, cyber operations in support of DoD, as well as advanced concepts relating to Zero Trust. And its application to cyber deception, Operational Technical (OT), Defensive Cyber Operations (DCO)-focused analytics and big data, and automated response actions. As a front-line leader, the PL interfaces with the sponsor, and helps explore and develop solutions for the most pressing challenges and mission needs (and helps assure we are working the right problems). The PL works with the sponsor as a trusted advisor, while thinking ahead of the current challenge and leveraging the unique vantage point of MITRE to lead the sponsor to identify the priority challenges that demand solutions for mission impact.

The sponsor for this project is in Hampton, VA, and requires regular, on-site engagements for successful execution. Experience decomposing capability needs into operational, functional, system, technical requirements, as well as development of a concept of operations (CONOPS) is strongly recommended as this sponsor is focused on the Organize, Train, and Equip mission of enterprise Zero Trust capabilities. The Project will work to extend Zero Trust capabilities to the Tactical Edge to address operational needs. This will require identification of use cases as well as operational analysis to develop solutions that are most relevant to mission forces.

In addition, as a Project Leader, the successful candidate will work closely with department and division leadership to Grow our Work by providing innovative solutions and continually seeking opportunities to shape our work program to enable MITRE to provide the most significant impact for the sponsor.  Moreover, the PL will seek opportunities to team with other projects, within and outside the department to multiply mission impact. The selected candidate will be a critical and active member of the department and division leadership teams and will help mature department and division strategy and outcomes, influence the projects strategic direction, identify new opportunities and initiatives, and lead related activities. Candidates should have a track record of leading teams, innovating, and collaborating across MITRE and sponsor boundaries.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Key Functions

As the ACC A6 Project Leader, the successful candidate will:

Mature and Shape the Work Program for Improved Mission Impact

Challenge the sponsor and project team to refine and shape the work program in alignment with the Sector, Center, division and department strategy and outcomes to deliver mission impact for the DAF’s highest priority challenges

Establish a Mission Value Chain (MVC) with Target Threshold and Objective (TTO) measures with emphasis on mission impact

Leverage MITRE Labs, research, platforms, and agile acquisition skillsets across MITRE to bring the full weight of the corporation to bear

Build collaborations with external partners (e.g., FFRDCs, DoD innovation organizations – Defense Innovation Unit, National Security Innovation Network, AFWERX, accelerator programs, and non-traditional vendors) to leverage expertise and resources and accelerate capability transition

Lead and Engage

Work side-by-side with the sponsor to develop a trusted, collaborative relationship built on MITRE’s technical capabilities and expertise

Build and develop a team with the skills, expertise, and behaviors needed to successfully deliver high impact and lasting value to the sponsor

Lead and foster innovation and cross-project collaboration to improve impact on sponsor priorities and department/division outcomes

Provide regular feedback and coaching/mentoring to employee(s) to help them grow, recognizing speed, risk-taking, adaptability, collaboration, and grace/respect behaviors

Integrate and help transition MITRE Innovation Program research and Firefly project proof of concepts to the sponsor

Execute and Deliver Mission Impact

Deliver high quality data-driven technical products and/or solutions with actionable recommendations for the sponsor

Ensure project risks and challenges are raised to appropriate leaders and mitigation plans are developed and implemented

Maintain accurate staff plans and allocate MITRE employees with the appropriate skills and expertise

Leverage existing projects and bodies of knowledge across the company to ensure leading practices and lessons learned are incorporated within the project execution

Work with the Department Leadership to forecast workforce levels and skillset demands, prepare for the follow-on year’s work program, and formal request for staffing

Minimum Qualifications:

Typically requires a minimum of 10 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree; or 8 years and a Master’s degree; or a PhD with 5 years’ experience; or equivalent combination of related education and work experience

Active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain and maintain a TS/SCI clearance

Strong knowledge and experience with Zero Trust strategies, technologies, and implementations. Additional knowledge should include threat analysis and analytics; Threat-informed defense strategies and operations; risk assessment and mitigation

Strong written and verbal communications skills

Proven track record in achieving significant work program, sponsor, or organizational outcomes

Familiarity with Digital Engineering and modeling and simulations techniques

Familiarity with MITRE Labs cyber capabilities and skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Active TS/SCI clearance

Knowledge of ICAM and micro-segmentation

Knowledge of MITRE’s ATT&CK, CALDERA, D3FEND, CORA, etc.

Knowledge of Agile development and processes

Knowledge of commercial Cloud, DevSecOps, and/or Digital Engineering concepts

Experience with MITRE’s project leader processes and business systems

This requisition requires the candidate to have a minimum of the following clearance(s):

Secret

This requisition requires the hired candidate to have or obtain, within one year from the date of hire, the following clearance(s):

Top Secret/SCI

Salary compensation range and midpoint:

$163,000 – $203,500 – $244,000 Annual

Work Location Type:

Hybrid

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