NATO BMD Integration Test Bed Lab Manager

As a member of the Leidos Team’s support to NATO Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD) System Engineering & Integration and Test (SEIT) Project, the IT Lab Manager will provide technical expertise in the setup, operations and management of the NATO BMD Integration Test Bed (ITB) Laboratory. These activities include network administration, system administration, as well as cybersecurity related functions, oversight of a small team of IT administrators, user support, reporting to leadership, and general management of facility and capabilities.

The ITB Open Framework Services (OFS) consists of a set of computer simulation tools that enable early testing of the BMD Command, Control, Communications and Integration (BMC3I) architecture as well as the capability for extensive integration testing to ensure that all National systems work effectively and efficiently together. The ITB enables connection of any combination of constructive simulations, National laboratories and live systems into a realistic friendly force structure, and enable injecting realistic threat scenarios into those integrated components for a variety of purposes that range from architecture interoperability assessment, to evaluating Concepts of Operation (CONOPs). In addition to the OFS, the ITB lab includes NATO Command and Control (C2) prototype systems and several constructive simulations. The ITB systems are connected to external systems or representations via the Combined Federated Battle Laboratory Network (CFBLNet), or the NATO General Communications Systems (NGCS) operational network.

The BMD ITB OFS is a virtualized environment using VMware Cloud Foundation, HPE servers, Network storage hardware, and virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI). Simulations utilize MäK products (MäK RTI and VR Exchange) for providing both a DIS and HLA interface within the ITB, and for external connections to simulations, hardware-in-the-loop labs, and live systems.

Primary Responsibilities.

The role of the ITB Lab Manager will oversee on-site the day to day operations of the ITB in The Hague Netherlands, manage IT Admin support staff, prioritize taskings, define and manage system requirements for any future development, lead technical inputs for procurement of HW and SW, and coordinate with upper management, building and facilities and NATO IT services. The Lab Manager will oversee the team of technical specialists to ensure the ITB Open Framework Services operates efficiently, oversees and supports the set-up and configuration of the tool suite for a test event, perform software (OFS) and hardware installations, perform configuration management, and ensure security compliance for aspects of the ITB.

Basic Qualifications.

• Active NATO Cosmic Top Secret Clearance (CTS) or equivalent national clearance that would qualify for CTS (e.g. US Top Secret)
• Bachelors Degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering
• Minimum 10 years’ experience working in Information Technology support with a specialty in virtual infrastructure, desktops, servers, and networking
• Self-Motivated and able to work independently and report status
• At least 5 years in the management of a classified lab facility
• At least 5 years in the implementation and execution of simulation interoperability using distributed simulations (DIS, HLA)
• At least 5 years in system administration of IT systems, including experience in virtualized environment
• The Lab Manager shall have mastered the English language
• Manage schedules and ensure high availability 98% uptime for infrastructure and applications
• Execute Integrated Logistics Support and Service Delivery Plans
• Manage 2-5 technical specialists to operate the ITB Lab, although due to small team size, supporting execution of tasks is required to assist team
• Willingness to learn many different technologies as breadth of skills is important
• Capable of troubleshooting hardware and software issues.  Demonstrate the ability to deduce problems.
• Demonstration of performing configuration management
• Layer 2 network troubleshooting with Dell OS10
• Demonstrate packet sniffing to troubleshoot network and application issues
• Demonstration of installing and building computer systems in these operating systems (Windows 11, Windows Server 2016/2019, Redhat Linux 8,9; Solaris 11; VMware ESXi 8, vCenter 8, vSAN 8)
• Administration in VMware Cloud Foundation (VCenter 8, ESXi 8, Horizon 8)
• Experience executing DoD STIGs (lockdowns) for operating systems (Windows 11, Windows Server 2016/2019, Redhat Linux 8,9; Solaris 11)
• Experience using Windows Group Policy to enforce security and application rules
• Managing security requirements and updating plans that achieve security accreditation
• Experience with software maintenance and debugging
• Experience working with Tactical Data Link messages (Link16 in both  JREAP, SIMPLE formats)
• Conduct yearly OFS operator and sysadmin training
• Produce monthly and quarterly support reports
• Ability to interpret system requirements and perform risk acceptance level of tests
• Experience using Microsoft Office products including Visio
• Manage network and video cabling, patch manager, cable management
• Able to lift 50 pounds/22 kilograms to replace servers in racks and use hand tools to assemble hardware

Preferred Qualifications.

• Understanding of message standards STANAG 5516 (Link16), STANAG 5602 (Simple), STANAG 5518 (JREAP), Distributed Interactive Simulation (DIS), High Level Architecture (HLA) to support testing and troubleshooting
• Security+ CE or equivalent US DOD IAT Level II (or higher) certification, as per US DOD 8570.1-M
• Coursework and/or certification in programming
• VMware Cloud Foundation Training
• Red Hat Linux Workstation Training
• Scripting (Perl, Bash, GNUPlot, XML, Batch files, database queries)
• Experience using defence simulations with a focus in missile defence
• Experience with NATO C2 Systems or national equivalent for BMD and Air defense
• Familiar with TEMPEST testing and policy enforcement
• Experience implementing the NIST Risk Management Framework and Continuous Monitoring Plans, or equivalent
• Database administration in MySQL, SQL, Oracle

Original Posting:

For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above.

Pay Range:

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.