Senior Tactical Aviation Operations Lead

MANTECH seeks a career and customer-oriented Senior Tactical Aviation Operations Lead in Lexington Park, MD. This position offers remote work, but the individual must be available for CONUS travel as needed.

This role will provide operational subject matter expertise for a critical Department of Defense Modeling & Simulation (M&S) initiative. This role is integral to bridging operational reality with advanced software systems, guiding development efforts that ensure tactical relevance and mission effectiveness. You will advise government stakeholders as a Trusted Operational Advisor, leveraging extensive military experience to shape digital simulation environments that accurately reflect modern combat scenarios.

Responsibilities may include but are not limited to:

• Providing subject matter expertise in the tactical employment of military systems - including USN and USAF aviation platforms, advanced weapons systems, electronic warfare, and command and control - to inform technical design decisions and prioritization of development efforts
• Evaluating Government Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) and Commercial Off-The-Shelf (COTS) solutions to recommend tools that balance delivery schedules, fidelity, and mission alignment
• Leading requirements development and refinement to ensure simulation systems support validated operational use cases and mission-critical outcomes
• Championing the integration of Agile development practices and digital engineering workflows within operational testing and evaluation processes
• Designing and overseeing the creation of realistic, high-fidelity tactical scenarios for use in synthetic training and evaluation environments
• Leading test and evaluation (T&E) activities, including flight and ground event support, with expert interpretation of simulation and stimulation system performance
• Directing the development and delivery of user-focused training materials to ensure effective employment of simulation capabilities by operational personnel
• Leading operational SME teams to resolve complex issues, ensure alignment with operational goals, and manage task execution across the contract lifecycle. Leading engagements with key program stakeholders.
• Must be available for CONUS travel as needed

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution
• 12+ years of experience supporting military tactical operations and tactical aviation system development
• Prior military service as a commissioned officer with demonstrated expertise in operational employment of tactical aviation platforms 
• Previously qualified strike lead
• Experience with 5th Generation fighter tactical employment
• Developmental or Operational Test experience in a tactical aviation platform
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional teams and solving mission-critical problems in operational or technical environments
• Demonstrated ability to present complex tactical trade-offs and solution recommendations to senior government stakeholders

Preferred Qualifications:

• Hands-on experience supporting system development and testing of defense technologies
• Experience supporting Joint Simulation Environment (JSE) or distributed battlespace modeling initiatives (NCTE, DMON)
• Familiarity with incorporating operational SME feedback into Agile software development sprints and DevSecOps pipelines
• Weapons School or Test Pilot School Graduate  

Clearance Requirements:

• Must possess an active Top Secret clearance with current SCI eligibility

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to remain in a stationary position approximately 50% of the time
• Occasionally required to move throughout office spaces to access equipment, files, or interact with co-workers
• Must be able to enter and exit simulator cockpits and fly simulated missions
• Must be able to effectively communicate with team members, leadership, and customers, including in presentation settings, and convey accurate technical information