Field Team Lead

National Strategic Research Institute•Melbourne, FL

10d•Hybrid

About The Position

The National Strategic Research Institute (NSRI) at the University of Nebraska is seeking applications for a Field Team Lead to support the planning, coordination, and execution of overseas technical deployments in support of Department of War (DoW) and United States Government (USG) sponsors. The Field Team Lead will serve as one of two deployed personnel, forming a two-person deployment team consisting of the Field Team Lead and a RF Field Scientist. Together, the team is responsible for the deployment, installation, operation, sustainment, troubleshooting, recovery and transmission of data back to U.S. worksite for specialized sensing systems at designated overseas locations. This position requires continuous rotational overseas deployments consisting of 60 days deployed in-country followed by 30 days at home station. Deployment locations will vary based on sponsor requirements and may include allied military installations, U.S. Embassies, and other government-designated locations throughout the Indo-Pacific, Europe, Africa, and other areas of strategic interest. The Field Team Lead serves as NSRI’s senior in-country representative for the assigned field mission and the primary interface between NSRI and in-country U.S. Government and U.S. military personnel, ensuring mission objectives are successfully executed while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, operational security, and customer engagement. The Field Team Lead is responsible for mission coordination, day-to-day operational decision-making, logistical planning, personnel accountability, and ensuring the deployed RF Field Scientist has the resources necessary to accomplish mission objectives. The position requires exceptional leadership, judgment, discretion, diplomacy, organizational skills, communication skills and the ability to operate independently in dynamic and possible austere environments while representing NSRI to senior military commanders, Combatant Commands, Embassy personnel, including U.S. Ambassadors or Deputy Chiefs of Mission as appropriate, senior U.S. Government leaders, visiting distinguished visitors or VIPs, and other government stakeholders. This position requires extensive international travel in support of rotational deployed missions. Periodic travel to U.S. Government facilities, Sponsor locations, and other NSRI offices may also be required to support mission planning, program reviews, technical coordination, and other operational requirements. This position is part of a government-funded project, and employment is contingent upon continued customer funding and performance. In alignment with our commitment to staff development and internal mobility, current NSRI employees will be given priority consideration for this vacancy, provided they meet the minimum qualifications. Internal candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in Business, Engineering, Military Science, Project Management, Information Technology, Homeland Security, or a related field.
Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience supporting U.S. Government, Department of Defense, or Intelligence Community programs.
Minimum of 5 years leading operational teams, technical field operations, military units, or comparable government organizations.
Demonstrated experience representing an organization and coordinating directly with senior U.S. government officials, Embassy personnel, and external stakeholders.
Experience leading personnel or teams in deployed, expeditionary, or remote operational environments.
Experience coordinating logistics, transportation, travel, lodging, and sustainment activities for deployed personnel.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills with experience preparing and delivering executive briefings, operational updates, and SITREPs to senior leaders and customers.
Strong judgment, discretion, diplomacy, organizational, leadership, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities.
Ability to work independently in dynamic operational environments with minimal supervision.
Ability to travel internationally for extended periods and successfully complete repeated rotational deployments of 60 days overseas followed by 30 days home station.
Overseas Travel and Mission Support Experience
Valid U.S. Passport or ability to obtain one.
U.S. citizenship is required for this position because the duties require eligibility for a U.S. Government personnel security clearance. Candidate must be able to obtain and maintain the required U.S. Government security clearance and Sponsor accesses.
An equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered in lieu of degree

Nice To Haves

Prior U.S. military service, particularly within Special Operations, Intelligence, Combat Arms, Communications, Aviation, or Expeditionary organizations.
Experience supporting Combatant Commands or overseas contingency operations.
Experience leading deployed field teams supporting sensor systems, ISR platforms, technical collection systems, or other advanced technologies.
Active U.S. Government security clearance.
Experience working with U.S. Embassies, Security Cooperation Offices, Defense Attaché Offices, or Joint Task Forces.
Knowledge of overseas force protection procedures and operational risk management.
Familiarity with Department of Defense travel regulations and overseas deployment planning.
Experience supporting classified operations and secure communications.
Foreign language proficiency is considered a plus.

Responsibilities

Lead and coordinate a two-person overseas deployment team consisting of a Field Team Lead and RF Field Scientist.
Serve as NSRI’s senior in-country representative for the assigned field mission and the primary point of contact with in-country U.S. Government, Combatant Command, Embassy, and U.S. military representatives throughout all phases of deployment.
Coordinate all mission activities with NSRI's Director, Directed Energy and government sponsors before, during, and after each deployment.
Plan, coordinate, and oversee deployment, installation, operation, sustainment, troubleshooting, and recovery of government-provided sensing systems in designated countries.
Prepare and deliver operational updates, executive briefings, mission status reports, and Situation Reports (SITREPs) to military commanders, government representatives, sponsors, and NSRI leadership.
Maintain accountability for mission execution, personnel safety, equipment status, and operational readiness throughout deployment.
Lead and coordinate the activities of the deployed RF Field Scientist while ensuring technical objectives are successfully accomplished.
Coordinate logistical support including lodging, transportation, communications, access requirements, equipment accountability, and sustainment activities necessary for successful mission execution.
Ensure deployed personnel maintain compliance with U.S. Government security, safety, operational, and host nation requirements.
Identify operational risks and implement mitigation strategies to ensure uninterrupted mission support.
Maintain detailed deployment documentation, mission logs, equipment inventories, and after-action reports.
Represent NSRI professionally with discretion and sound judgment while fostering strong relationships with government customers, senior military leadership, Embassy personnel, and partner organizations.
Support mission planning, pre-deployment training, and post-deployment lessons learned activities.
Be capable of operating independently with limited supervision in remote and austere overseas environments.
Exercise substantial independent judgment and discretion in resolving day-to-day in-country operational issues within assigned mission authority.
Elevate significant operational, personnel, resource, or Sponsor issues to the Director, Directed Energy when resolution exceeds assigned mission authority.
Perform additional duties as assigned in support of NSRI field operations.

Benefits

Competitive salary, commensurate with education and experience, plus a Rotational Assignment Premium in recognition of the position’s required continuous 60-day overseas / 30-day home-station rotation
Health
Dental
Vision
Employer-paid Life Insurance
Voluntary Life Insurance (Employee, Spouse, and Child(ren))
Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
Long-Term Disability (LTD)
403(b) Retirement Plan with Employer Matching
Paid Time Off
Paid Holidays
Professional Development and Training Opportunities