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Senior Network Operations Manager - Subject Matter Expert - Job Opportunity at Leidos

Huntsville, US
Full-time
Senior
Posted: June 10, 2025
Hybrid
USD 126,100 - 227,950 per year

Benefits

Flexible work arrangements that enable superior work-life balance and increased productivity compared to traditional rigid schedules
Comprehensive career development and growth programs with dedicated management support that accelerates professional advancement
Exposure to diverse, high-impact projects across government and aerospace sectors that build exceptional technical expertise
Access to cutting-edge technologies and innovative solutions development that positions professionals at the forefront of industry evolution
Collaborative work environment with top-tier engineering talent that fosters knowledge sharing and professional networking

Key Responsibilities

Lead strategic technical direction for elite project engineering teams developing mission-critical IT solutions for NASA, directly impacting space exploration and scientific discovery initiatives
Drive organizational transformation by executing comprehensive integration strategy between Corporate and Mission Engineering divisions, positioning the company for enhanced operational efficiency
Mentor and develop high-performing engineering talent through structured career development programs, building the next generation of technical leaders
Orchestrate cross-functional project coordination across multiple contract organizations, ensuring seamless delivery of complex engineering solutions
Provide strategic workforce planning insights to senior leadership, directly influencing organizational structure and resource allocation decisions
Lead business development initiatives and proposal activities for new project opportunities, contributing to company growth and market expansion
Establish collaborative partnerships with NASA leadership, serving as primary technical liaison and strategic advisor for engineering solutions alignment
Design and optimize mission-critical communication and networking systems that support high-stakes space operations and scientific missions
Drive innovation through implementation of emerging technologies and industry best practices, maintaining technological competitive advantage

Requirements

Education

BS degree in Engineering from an accredited engineering school or MS degree from an accredited engineering school

Experience

minimum of fifteen (15) years of direct engineering experience with BS degree, or ten (10) years of direct engineering experience with MS degree, with at least 5 years of experience with project engineering and at least 2 years of experience with formal line management responsibilities

Required Skills

In-depth understanding of project engineering & project management Strong leadership credentials Good communication and organizational skills Attention to detail Strong technical background Advanced knowledge of TCP/IP technology including IP addressing, subnet masking Experience with network tools: e.g. Spectrum, SolarWinds, Cisco ISE, INFOBLOX Working knowledge of all tools in the Microsoft Office Suite (including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Visio) Excellent writing and oral communication skills Strong knowledge of telephony systems and communications infrastructure Excellent interpersonal and communication skills Demonstrated ability to train and mentor personnel in engineering domain

Certifications

US Citizen with the ability to obtain a Public Trust clearance
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Sauge AI Market Intelligence

Industry Trends

Government contractors are experiencing unprecedented demand for digital transformation services as federal agencies modernize legacy IT infrastructure, with the federal IT modernization market projected to exceed $20 billion annually. This trend is driving increased competition for senior technical talent who can bridge traditional engineering practices with modern digital solutions. The aerospace and defense sector is undergoing significant consolidation of engineering functions, with major contractors like Leidos creating integrated engineering organizations to improve efficiency and reduce costs. This organizational transformation creates new leadership opportunities for professionals who can manage complex technical teams across multiple domains. NASA and other space agencies are increasingly relying on private contractors for mission-critical IT infrastructure, creating a specialized niche market for professionals with both government contracting experience and advanced networking expertise. The growing commercial space industry is further amplifying demand for these specialized skills.

Salary Evaluation

The offered salary range of $126,100 - $227,950 is highly competitive for the Huntsville market and aligns well with national compensation trends for senior network operations management roles in government contracting. This range positions in the 75th-90th percentile for similar roles in the region, reflecting the specialized nature of the position and the high-clearance requirements typical in aerospace and defense contracting.

Role Significance

Based on the scope of responsibilities and organizational context, this role likely oversees a team of 15-25 project engineers across multiple contract vehicles, with indirect influence over a broader network of 50+ technical professionals. The cross-functional coordination requirements suggest matrix management responsibilities spanning multiple business units and contract organizations.
This is a high-impact senior leadership position that serves as a bridge between technical execution and strategic business development. The role combines hands-on technical leadership with organizational transformation responsibilities, indicating significant influence over both immediate team performance and long-term company direction. The direct reporting relationship to senior leadership and involvement in business development activities positions this role as a key contributor to organizational success.

Key Projects

Implementation of enterprise-wide network infrastructure upgrades for NASA mission-critical systems Development of integrated communication systems supporting space exploration missions and scientific research initiatives Leading digital transformation initiatives that modernize legacy government IT systems Cross-organizational engineering process standardization and optimization projects Strategic technology roadmap development for next-generation space communication systems

Success Factors

Ability to navigate complex government contracting environments while maintaining technical excellence and innovation focus, balancing regulatory compliance with cutting-edge solution development Exceptional stakeholder management skills to effectively coordinate between NASA leadership, internal engineering teams, and external contractor organizations while maintaining clear communication and alignment Strategic thinking capability to translate high-level organizational goals into actionable technical strategies, particularly in the context of engineering organization integration and digital transformation Strong mentorship and leadership development skills to build high-performing technical teams and succession planning for critical engineering roles Business acumen to contribute meaningfully to proposal development and new business acquisition while maintaining focus on technical delivery excellence

Market Demand

Demand for this role profile is exceptionally high, driven by the convergence of federal IT modernization initiatives, increased space program funding, and the specialized skill set required for NASA contractor positions. The combination of network operations expertise, project management experience, and government clearance eligibility creates a supply-demand imbalance favoring qualified candidates.

Important Skills

Critical Skills

Advanced TCP/IP networking knowledge is absolutely essential as it forms the foundation for all network operations and infrastructure design decisions in mission-critical government environments where system reliability directly impacts national security and scientific discovery missions. Project management expertise combined with formal leadership experience is crucial for success in this role, as it enables effective coordination of complex technical initiatives across multiple organizational boundaries while maintaining accountability for deliverables and team performance. Government contracting experience and security clearance eligibility are non-negotiable requirements, as they provide the necessary context for understanding compliance requirements, procurement processes, and the unique operational constraints of federal customer environments. Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills are critical for success given the role's requirement to interface with NASA leadership, coordinate across multiple organizations, and translate complex technical concepts for diverse audiences including both technical teams and business stakeholders.

Beneficial Skills

Business development and proposal writing experience would significantly enhance career progression opportunities by enabling greater contribution to company growth initiatives and providing exposure to strategic market development activities. Formal project management certification (PMP) would strengthen credibility with government customers and provide structured methodologies for managing increasingly complex technical initiatives across multiple concurrent projects. Supply chain management experience would be valuable given the increasing complexity of government contracting requirements and the need to coordinate with multiple vendors and subcontractors in delivering integrated solutions. Advanced cybersecurity knowledge and certifications would be increasingly valuable as network operations roles evolve to encompass greater security responsibilities, particularly in government environments where security requirements continue to expand and evolve.

Unique Aspects

This role uniquely combines strategic organizational transformation responsibilities with hands-on technical leadership, offering rare exposure to both engineering excellence and business strategy development in the government contracting space.
The position provides direct interface with NASA leadership and involvement in space exploration missions, offering unparalleled professional experience in one of the most prestigious and technically challenging domains in engineering.
The role encompasses both traditional network operations management and emerging digital transformation initiatives, positioning the successful candidate at the intersection of established engineering practices and cutting-edge technology implementation.
The organizational integration mandate provides unique experience in large-scale change management within a Fortune 500 environment, combining technical leadership with business process optimization.
The combination of proposal development involvement and technical delivery responsibility offers comprehensive exposure to the full business lifecycle in government contracting, from opportunity identification through solution delivery.

Career Growth

Career progression to senior director level typically occurs within 3-5 years for high performers in this role, with advancement to VP level possible within 5-8 years. The combination of technical expertise, leadership experience, and government contracting knowledge creates multiple pathways for accelerated career growth.

Potential Next Roles

Senior Director of Engineering Operations overseeing multiple contract vehicles and broader organizational transformation initiatives Vice President of Technical Operations with P&L responsibility for major business units within the digital modernization sector Chief Technology Officer or equivalent C-level position focusing on innovation strategy and technology roadmap development Independent consulting practice specializing in government contractor digital transformation and engineering organization optimization

Company Overview

Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions company that serves critical markets including defense, intelligence, civil, and health. The company operates as one of the largest government contractors in the United States, with particular strength in IT modernization, cybersecurity, and engineering services. Leidos has established itself as a key partner to federal agencies, with deep expertise in mission-critical systems and complex technical challenges.

Leidos holds a dominant position in the government contracting market, ranking among the top 10 federal contractors by revenue. The company's Digital Modernization Sector represents a strategic growth area, positioning Leidos to capitalize on the multi-billion dollar federal IT modernization initiative. The company's recent organizational restructuring and focus on integrated solutions delivery demonstrates strong market positioning for future growth.
Huntsville, Alabama represents a critical hub for Leidos's aerospace and defense operations, leveraging the region's concentration of NASA facilities, defense contractors, and engineering talent. The location provides significant advantages for government contracting work, including proximity to key customer facilities, access to cleared professionals, and lower operational costs compared to traditional government contracting markets like the Washington DC area.
Leidos emphasizes a mission-driven culture focused on solving complex challenges for government customers, with strong emphasis on technical excellence and innovation. The company's commitment to career development and flexible work arrangements reflects an understanding of the competitive talent market for senior technical professionals. The organizational focus on integrated engineering solutions suggests a collaborative culture that values cross-functional expertise and systems thinking.
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