Operations Director

Senior Program/Project Lead

Empower AI is AI for government. Empower AI gives federal agency leaders the tools to elevate the potential of their workforce with a direct path for meaningful transformation. Headquartered in Reston, Va., Empower AI leverages three decades of experience solving complex challenges in Health, Defense, and Civilian missions. Our proven Empower AI Platform® provides a practical, sustainable path for clients to achieve transformation that is true to who they are, what they do, how they work, with the resources they have. The result is a government workforce that is exponentially more creative and productive.

Empower AI is proud to be recognized as a 2024 Military Friendly Employer by Viqtory, the publisher of G.I. Jobs. This designation reflects the company's commitment to hiring and supporting active-duty and veteran employees.

Responsibilities

As a Senior Program/Project Lead, you will operate at the intersection of mission, technology, and leadership—supporting Army efforts to defend, operate, and sustain the IT environment. Based at Fort Huachuca, this role combines hands-on technical execution with senior-level leadership across cybersecurity, operational engineering, enterprise sustainment, and field services.

You will be responsible for ensuring systems remain secure, compliant, and mission-ready, guiding RMF and ATO sustainment activities, overseeing Tier II/III operations, and advising government leadership on risk, resilience, and operational improvements. This position is ideal for senior military or industry professionals who want to continue making a direct impact on Army readiness while mentoring and leading technical teams in a dynamic operational environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead mission-critical projects and programs, with responsibility for scope, schedule, risk, and cross-functional coordination
• Project and program management for AI/ML-enabled solutions and IT modernization initiatives, including strategic planning, risk management, and alignment with enterprise transformation objectives
• Lead and support cybersecurity, operations, engineering, and sustainment activities across Army enterprise IT environments supporting missions at Fort Huachuca and supported locations
• Provide senior-level Risk Management Framework (RMF) leadership, including ATO sustainment, security assessments, POA&M development and management, continuous monitoring oversight, and compliance documentation in eMASS and related systems
• Perform or oversee Tier II and Tier III operational engineering and break-fix support, including incident, problem, and change management for mission-critical enterprise systems
• Lead and support network, systems, and cybersecurity operations, including ACAS vulnerability scanning, STIG compliance, endpoint security, configuration management, and remediation planning
• Provide technical leadership for operational engineering and sustainment, including system baseline management, testing and validation in controlled environments, lifecycle support, and implementation of approved changes
• Interface directly with government stakeholders, Subject Matter Experts, and senior leadership to assess risk, recommend technical solutions, support decision-making, and improve operational performance
• Lead or contribute to technical documentation and reporting, including system design plans, build guides, enterprise technical procedures, after-action reports, and operational briefings using Government-approved templates and repositories
• Support change, configuration, and release management (CCRM) activities, including coordination with the Change Advisory Board (CAB) and validation of security and interoperability impacts
• Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior and mid-level personnel across cybersecurity, operations, engineering, and field service functions, supporting workforce development and mission continuity
• Support on-site and field activities, including system installations, site surveys, Move/Add/Change actions, and operational support as required at Fort Huachuca and other supported locations

Qualifications

Required Qualifications:

• Active Secret clearance (TS/SCI eligibility preferred depending on tasking)
• Bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, Engineering, Information Technology, or related field (or equivalent military/industry experience)
• 10 –15+ years experience across one or more of the following:
• Cybersecurity / Information Assurance
• Network or Systems Engineering
• IT Operations / Enterprise Sustainment
• Field Services or Operational Engineering
• Strong understanding of DoD cybersecurity and IT operations frameworks, including RMF, NIST 800-53, ITIL, and DoD cyber workforce requirements
• Ability to lead teams, work independently, and operate in mission-critical environments

Preferred Qualifications:

• DoD 8570 / 8140 certifications (e.g., CISSP, CASP, Security+, CE certifications)
• Prior service or direct support experience at Fort Huachuca
• Experience supporting NETCOM, Army Cyber Command, or enterprise DoDIN operations
• Background in mentoring or technical leadership roles

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods
• Ability to move between buildings and facilities
• Ability to travel up to 10% as mission requires

About Empower AI

All hiring and promotion decisions at Empower AI are based on merit to bring the best talent available to contribute to our firm's overall success. It is the policy of Empower AI not to discriminate against any applicant for employment, or employee because of age, color, sex, disability, national origin, race, religion, or veteran status. Empower AI is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.

If hired for this position, the base salary range would be within the range provided. The base salary range represents the anticipated low and high end of the salary range for this position. Actual salaries may vary based on various factors including but not limited to work location, skills, experience, gov con contractual requirements, and performance. The range listed is just one component of Empower AI's total compensation package for employees.

Pay Band Min

USD $136,100.00/Yr.

Pay Band Max

USD $210,670.00/Yr.