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Engineering Operations Lead

  • Hunstville, AL
Position Title: Engineering Operations Lead
Position Type: Full-Time, On-Site
Location: Huntsville, AL
Clearance: Active Secret

Waypoint’s client is seeking an experienced Engineering Operations Lead to support the Missile Defense Agency (MDA) Targets and Countermeasures Program Directorate (DTT) within the Chief Engineer / Targets Systems Engineering Division (DTTE).

This position will serve as the central operational integrator and technical coordination lead for Targets Systems Engineering, supporting executive-level engineering activities, task management, program documentation, and cross-organizational collaboration. The Engineering Operations Lead will be responsible for coordinating high-priority engineering meetings, managing government tasking systems, overseeing systems engineering governance documentation, and ensuring timely communication of technical and programmatic information to senior leadership.

The ideal candidate will possess a strong background in engineering operations, DoD acquisition processes, systems engineering documentation, and executive-level program coordination. This individual must be highly organized, capable of managing competing priorities, and comfortable working independently in a fast-paced, mission-focused environment.

Responsibilities
  • Manage and coordinate weekly Targets Systems Engineering (DTTE) staff meetings, including collecting technical inputs, consolidating presentations, coordinating meeting logistics, and preparing executive briefing materials.
  • Coordinate and submit weekly engineering updates to the MDA Directorate for Engineering (DE), including requirements baselines, schedule changes, technical milestones, and program accomplishments.
  • Consolidate technical and programmatic information for biweekly DTT Directorate staff meetings and executive leadership briefings.
  • Track, coordinate, and report upcoming Engineering Technical Reviews (ETRs), including 30-, 60-, and 90-day technical milestones across target programs.
  • Prepare and distribute post-review executive summaries and technical updates to agency leadership within established deadlines.
  • Maintain effective communication across government stakeholders, engineering teams, prime contractors, and partner organizations.
  • Serve as the primary DTTE Action Officer within the Enhanced Tasking Management System 2 (ETMS2).
  • Receive, evaluate, assign, track, and coordinate responses to Congressional, Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), and internal agency taskings.
  • Manage classified and unclassified tasking information across SIPRNet and NIPRNet environments in accordance with applicable security and operational requirements.
  • Coordinate industry media engagement requests and MDA public release packages with Acquisition, Legal, and Strategic Communications stakeholders.
  • Prepare and route Staff Summary Sheets (SSS), executive correspondence, and official action packages for review and approval.
  • Lead the annual DTTE Historical Summary collection and coordinate responses to Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) data calls and technical conference nominations.
  • Monitor tasking deadlines, resolve coordination issues, and ensure timely completion of assigned actions.
  • Lead operational coordination for the annual Targets Cost Analysis Requirements Description (CARD) update supporting the President's Budget submission to Congress.
  • Coordinate CARD inputs across Logistics, Acquisition, Contracts, Software, Cybersecurity, and Integrated Master Test Plan (IMTP) Manifest teams.
  • Consolidate classified and unclassified documentation, adjudicate review comments using DoD Form 100 processes, and coordinate executive approval packages.
  • Manage biennial updates to the Programmatic Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Evaluation (PESHE) in collaboration with Targets Quality and Environmental Management organizations.
  • Coordinate reviews, updates, formal routing, and publication of systems engineering baseline plans, standard operating procedures, and program governance documentation.
  • Support configuration management and document control processes to maintain accurate, current, and properly approved technical documentation.
  • Maintain configuration-controlled program documentation and baseline archives across SharePoint, DoD365, and SIPRNet repositories.
  • Ensure technical documentation and governance activities align with applicable DoD and MDA policies, processes, and program requirements.

Required
  • Active DoD Secret security clearance. Must be a U.S. citizen and capable of maintaining access to classified environments, including SIPRNet.
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a closely related technical or scientific discipline.
  • Minimum of ten (10) years of relevant professional experience in engineering operations, systems engineering support, technical program management, or a closely related discipline.
  • Demonstrated experience managing operational meeting schedules, executive briefing coordination, and technical meeting execution for senior military and civilian leadership.
  • Direct experience tracking, reviewing, and adjudicating technical documentation comments using formal review processes, such as DoD Form 100 comment matrices.
  • Familiarity with DoD acquisition lifecycle documentation, including Cost Analysis Requirements Descriptions (CARD), Systems Engineering Plans (SEP), Risk Management Plans (RMP), Programmatic Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health Evaluations (PESHE), and Test and Evaluation Master Plans (TEMP).
  • Demonstrated experience preparing, coordinating, and routing executive correspondence, Staff Summary Sheets (SSS), and official government action packages.
  • Expert proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint.
  • Working knowledge of government task management and correspondence tracking systems, such as ETMS2 or comparable DoD platforms.
  • Strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and meet demanding deadlines.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to consolidate complex technical information into clear, concise executive-level briefings.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively with government stakeholders, engineering teams, contractors, and multidisciplinary organizations.
  • Self-motivated professional capable of working independently, coordinating competing priorities, and maintaining accountability with minimal supervision.

Desired
  • Master's degree in Systems Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Operations Management, Technical Management, or a related STEM discipline.
  • Twelve (12) or more years of professional experience supporting DoD or federal program offices, preferably in Systems Engineering and Technical Assistance (SETA), Advisory and Assistance Services (A&AS), or Systems Engineering and Integration (SE&I) capacity.
  • Prior experience supporting the Missile Defense Agency (MDA), particularly the Targets and Countermeasures Directorate (DTT) or Directorate for Engineering (DE).
  • Familiarity with Department of Defense and MDA organizational processes, engineering governance requirements, and administrative workflows.
  • Experience coordinating across multiple government and contractor organizations, including U.S. Army DEVCOM Aviation & Missile Center S3I, prime contractors, national laboratories, and Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs).
  • Demonstrated ability to operate independently, establish priorities and deadlines, resolve coordination challenges, and manage competing technical and programmatic requirements under tight timelines.