Deputy Operations Lead

By Light Professional IT Services LLC readies warfighters and federal agencies with technology and systems engineered to connect, protect, and prepare individuals and teams for whatever comes next. Headquartered in McLean, VA, By Light supports defense, civilian, and commercial IT customers worldwide.

Cole Engineering Services (CESI), a By Light company, is recognized as a premier provider of modeling and simulation (M&S) training solutions to the Federal Government and industry. Since 2004, CESI has been at the forefront of developing, maintaining, and integrating simulation-based training, serious gaming, technical services, training and other support in live, virtual, constructive, and gaming (LVCG) domains. CESI also designs, builds and runs infrastructure, platforms, applications and processes that enable cyber training for the integrated multi-domain force. Our vision is to become a worldwide full spectrum LVCG and cyber training/analysis developer, integrator and services provider.

Position Overview

The Deputy Operations Lead is a critical part of the team responsible for providing top-tier IT support in a multifaceted and dynamic environment. This position is responsible for supporting the daily operations, performance, and availability of network infrastructure and services. This role serves as a primary point of coordination for all network operations activities, ensuring high availability, security, and performance of mission-critical systems across multiple environments. The Deputy Ops Lead leads critical administrative efforts while managing a team of shift leads and network operators, directing task execution, incident response, and operational readiness while aligning team activities with organizational priorities and service level objectives.

This position is full time on site in Annapolis Junction, MD.

Responsibilities

• Support the Network Operations vertical, ensuring efficient and secure operations across all supported systems and networks.
• Work closely with the Operations Lead and PCTE Operations Group (OG) teams to ensure operations across the platform are tracked and in compliance.
• Assign and track team tasks and responsibilities, ensuring clarity of expectations, balanced workload distribution, alignment with individual skill sets, and timely completion. Proactively monitor progress, identify bottlenecks, and implement corrective actions to maintain operational timelines.
• Assist in defining, collecting, and tracking performance metrics across PCTE.
• Oversee incident response activities, ensuring timely triage, escalation, resolution, and documentation of network-related issues.
• Prepare and present operational briefings, status reports, and performance metrics to leadership, ensuring informed decision-making.
• Serve as acting lead when required to ensure continuity of operations and technical oversight.

Required Experience/Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a technical discipline such as information technology, computer science, systems or software engineering from an accredited college or university.
• 8+ years of experience with a comprehensive understanding of the Cyber Mission, including current cyberspace operations, tactics, techniques, procedures (TTPs), and the implications of cyber policy and operations.
• Demonstrated experience with Federal cybersecurity organizations, policies, programs, and structures - experience and relationships with DoD USCYBERCOM or Service Cyber Components is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal communication skills.
• Active and relevant network engineering certification such as JNCP, CCNA, Palo Alto, CCNA Cyber Ops, or others
• Certifications in RedHat / Linux / VMware / Windows (install, configure, maintain and administer)
• An ability to work in a fast-paced and dynamic workplace with unique TTPs.
• Exceptional willingness and propensity for collaboration, relationship & team building.
• Proactively anticipate and business requirements and issues by having a strong pulse on the documentation, synchronization and embolden AGILE across the organization
• Strong project management skills with ability to proactively prioritize and coordinate complex projects.
• Exceptional communication and organizational skills with strong ability to translate business needs into IT execution.
• Exceptional knowledge of computer applications (SAP, Optiva, SQL server, MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, Adobe Acrobat, MS Project, Visio, etc.)
• Demonstrated understanding and applications of Agile planning tools such as Jira and Confluence.
• Active IAT Level 2 certification in accordance with DoDI 8570.01M.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications

• 3+ years of management or technical supervision desired but not required.
• IAT Level 3 certification.
• Current CI polygraph.

Special Requirements/Security Clearance

Please note that pursuant to a government contract, this specific position requires U. S. Citizenship status and a TS/SCI security clearance with the ability to pass a CI polygraph. Security Clearance requirements will be specified in the Government's Task Order.

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. The above is intended to describe the general contents of and requirements for the performance of this job.

Occasional travel may be required up to 10% of the time.

Salary Range

Salary Range: Salary Minimum: $155,000 , Salary Maximum: $190,000

The annual base salary provided is a guideline for this position and is not a guarantee of compensation or salary. When extending an offer, CESI also considers other variables such as (but not limited to) work experience, education, training, skill set, internal peer equity, clearance level, and market conditions. In addition, CESI provides an extensive selection of benefits and offerings to our employees.

Benefits Overview

CESI recognizes that our strength is our people. We support every employee as an individual to build strong teams across the enterprise. Our benefit package includes:

• Medical, Dental & Vision Coverage
• Wellness Program
• 401(k) Matching
• Disability (Short Term & Long Term)
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life Insurance
• Education & Training
• Generous Leave Policy (11 Federal Holidays, PTO, Military Leave, Bereavement and Jury Duty)

CESI is committed to principles of inclusion and equal employment opportunity. We foster a non-discriminatory, professional work environment for all our teams. We do not discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, age, marital status, disability, or veteran status.