Communications Technology Project Lead

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

SPA is seeking a Communications Technology Project Lead to advance AUKUS initiatives.

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. This includes 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.

Qualifications

Required:

• Education: Bachelor's Degree and 10+ years' experience with Federal Government, program management, or systems integration
• Clearance: Active Secret, with the ability to maintain it throughout employment
• 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

Pay Range Information

At SPA, we strive to deliver a robust total compensation package that will attract and retain top talent. Elements of the compensation package include competitive base pay and variable compensation opportunities. 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. Please note that the salary information shown below is a general guideline only. Salaries are commensurate with experience and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations. Virginia, Pay Transparency Salary range: USD $135,000.00/Yr. - USD $185,000.00/Yr.