Senior C-sUAS Operations & Projects Manager

Overview

We are seeking a highly experienced Senior C-sUAS Operations & Projects Manager to lead Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS) operations, programs, capability development, technology integration, and modernization initiatives. The successful candidate will serve as a key interface between government stakeholders, operational users, and industry partners to ensure C-sUAS capabilities remain mission-ready, operationally effective, and aligned with evolving threat environments.

This position is focused on operational leadership, project execution, capability fielding, and strategic modernization planning. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience managing C-sUAS programs, leading technology deployments, supporting operational requirements development, and overseeing complex projects involving detection, tracking, command and control, and mitigation systems.

This is a temporary full-time position with an anticipated assignment duration of nine (9) months, with the potential for extension, reduction, or modification based on program requirements.

Responsibilities

• Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Lead operational oversight of C-sUAS detection, tracking, identification, and mitigation capabilities to ensure mission readiness and operational effectiveness.
  • Monitor system performance and operational metrics to assess readiness, availability, and effectiveness across deployed environments.
  • Translate customer requirements, operational data analysis, and emerging threat trends into actionable capability development plans and future fielding initiatives.
  • Evaluate operational requirements and recommend improvements to enhance detection capability, response timelines, and mission outcomes.
  • Support operational planning, testing, exercises, demonstrations, and fielding activities for existing and emerging C-sUAS technologies.
  • Support the development and refinement of operational concepts, tactics, techniques, procedures (TTPs), and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Identify operational capability gaps and develop recommendations for future technology investments and modernization efforts.

  Project & Program Management

  • Manage complex C-sUAS projects involving system deployments, capability upgrades, integration efforts, and modernization initiatives.
  • Coordinate project schedules, stakeholder engagements, implementation activities, and operational testing to ensure successful execution.
  • Track performance metrics, risks, milestones, and deliverables while ensuring alignment with mission objectives and program requirements.
  • Develop project plans, status reports, executive briefings, and technical recommendations for government leadership.
  • Support budget planning, acquisition strategies, and technology roadmaps to address future operational requirements.
  • Manage operational acceptance testing, site assessments, capability evaluations, and transition-to-operations activities.

  Capability Integration & Modernization

  • Lead integration, sustainment, and modernization efforts for C-sUAS sensor and mitigation systems to ensure operational effectiveness and mission readiness.
  • Coordinate with government agencies, manufacturers, and industry partners to integrate sensors, effectors, command and control systems, and Common Operational Picture (COP) capabilities.
  • Coordinate with government and industry stakeholders to support cybersecurity initiatives that maximize system resilience, security, and operational availability.
  • Support interoperability assessments and integration efforts across multiple C-sUAS technologies and mission systems.
  • Lead technology refresh initiatives and modernization planning to address evolving threats and operational requirements.
  • Coordinate the introduction, testing, and fielding of emerging technologies to improve mission performance and operational effectiveness.

  Technical Analysis & Capability Development

  • Analyze operational and technical data to identify performance trends, capability gaps, and opportunities for improvement.
  • Assess sensor and system performance to reduce false alarms while increasing detection accuracy, tracking reliability, and operational effectiveness.
  • Evaluate emerging C-sUAS technologies and provide recommendations regarding adoption, testing, fielding, and operational employment.
  • Maintain analytical databases, operational records, and program documentation.
  • Prepare and present findings, risk assessments, readiness evaluations, and strategic recommendations to government stakeholders and senior leadership.
  • Support market research, technology assessments, and operational evaluations of current and emerging C-sUAS capabilities.
  • Other duties as assigned

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree, Operations Management, Project Management, Military Studies, Business Management, or a related discipline.
• Minimum of 15 years of experience supporting defense, security, force protection, surveillance, or integrated technology programs.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience with Counter-Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-sUAS), air defense, force protection, or related operational technologies.
• Demonstrated experience managing operational programs, technology fielding efforts, and large-scale projects involving complex systems.
• Strong understanding of capability development, operational requirements management, systems integration, technology fielding, and lifecycle sustainment.
• Proven ability to analyze operational and technical data and develop actionable recommendations.
• Exceptional written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities.
• Ability to work independently while leading multidisciplinary government and contractor teams.
• Ability to successfully pass required background and drug screening requirements.
• Successfully pass background and drug screening

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master's Degree in Business Administration, Operations Management, Project Management, Engineering, Military Studies, or a related field.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent program management credential.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense (DoD), Homeland Security, federal law enforcement, critical infrastructure protection, or force protection missions.
• Experience working with Program Executive Offices (PEOs), Joint Capability Integration and Development System (JCIDS), DoD acquisition programs, or rapid capability fielding initiatives.
• Familiarity with C-UAS sensors, radars, RF detection systems, EO/IR systems, electronic warfare technologies, and command-and-control platforms.
• Experience supporting operational testing, capability assessments, and technology demonstrations.
• Active U.S. Government security clearance or ability to obtain one.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Operational & Technical Expertise
• Comprehensive understanding of C-sUAS operational concepts, tactics, techniques, and procedures.
• Knowledge of sensor fusion, air surveillance, threat detection, tracking, identification, and counter-drone technologies.
• Experience supporting operational employment, sustainment, and modernization of integrated security and defense systems.
• Understanding of cybersecurity principles applicable to mission systems and operational technology environments.
• Familiarity with technology fielding, transition-to-operations processes, and lifecycle sustainment activities.

Program & Project Leadership

• Strong project planning, execution, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage installation, sustainment, maintenance, and modernization activities while meeting cost, schedule, and performance objectives.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in dynamic operational environments.
• Ability to balance operational priorities, customer requirements, and project execution activities simultaneously.

Communication & Collaboration

• Excellent technical writing, briefing, and presentation capabilities.
• Ability to communicate effectively with operators, engineers, senior government officials, program managers, and industry partners.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools.
• Strong coordination and relationship-management skills across government and contractor organizations.

Analytical & Decision-Making Skills

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Experience with quality assurance, performance monitoring, readiness assessments, and data-driven decision making.
• Ability to identify capability gaps and develop recommendations for future investments and modernization efforts.
• Ability to evaluate emerging technologies and translate technical findings into operational recommendations and executable project plans.

Estimated Salary/Wage