Rapid Reaction Innovation Lead

CACI • Halawa, HI

6d • $100,200 - $220,700 • Hybrid

About The Position

As the CACI Rapid Reaction Innovation Lead you will serve as the senior technical integrator and innovation lead for a nationwide ecosystem of Theater Edge Innovation Labs (TEIL) and enterprise innovation labs. In this Government Key Position, you will guide the rapid development, integration, and transition of non‑standard logistics and mission‑enabling capabilities that support distributed sustainment, contested logistics, and multi‑domain operations. In this role, you connect operational requirements, emerging technologies, and acquisition pathways. You will work closely with Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), and mission partners to ensure advanced technologies—such as autonomous systems, ISR‑enabled logistics, AI/ML tools, edge computing solutions, and non‑standard platforms—are quickly prototyped, tested, and delivered for operational use. Building on proven TEIL models, you will expand a scalable innovation ecosystem that links operators, engineers, industry partners, and acquisition stakeholders. Your leadership will accelerate the transition of new capabilities from early concept to fielded employment. Ultimately, you ensure that innovation efforts directly enhance operational readiness across competition, crisis, and conflict in contested and distributed environments.

Requirements

• Active TS clearance with SCI eligibility
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Information Systems, Robotics, Computer Science, Operational Planning, or related discipline.
• Minimum 12–15 years of experience supporting SOF, Joint, or Combatant Command operations.
• Demonstrated experience leading innovation labs, rapid prototyping efforts, or capability integration initiatives.
• Proven experience integrating emerging technologies (autonomous systems, ISR, AI/ML, edge computing) into operational environments.
• Experience coordinating across operators, engineers, acquisition stakeholders, and industry partners.
• Strong understanding of Joint Planning Process (JPP), operational integration, and capability transition pathways.
• Experience supporting fielding, training, and sustainment of technical systems in expeditionary environments.

Nice To Haves

• Possess an active certification in one of the following: Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) or PMI Program Management Professional (PgMP®)
• Direct experience with Theater Edge Innovation Lab (TEIL) or similar innovation ecosystems.
• Prior experience supporting U.S. Special Operations Command, TSOCs, or Geographic Combatant Commands.
• Experience working with defense innovation and modernization organizations.
• Background in unmanned systems, ISR integration, or advanced mission systems development.
• Experience supporting multinational partners and coalition operations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the senior advisor on innovation strategy for non-standard logistics and mission-enabling capability development.
• Establish and lead a federated network of innovation labs aligned with Theater Edge Innovation Lab (TEIL) constructs and enterprise innovation hubs.
• Synchronize innovation activities across CONUS and OCONUS lab environments to support operational requirements.
• Align lab efforts with Theater Campaign Plans (TCPs), operational priorities, and CCMD/TSOC requirements.
• Lead rapid prototyping efforts focused on logistics platforms, autonomous resupply, ISR-enabled sustainment, and edge-enabled mission systems.
• Oversee development and integration of capabilities, including unmanned aerial, maritime, and ground systems, sensor payloads, and AI/ML-enabled decision tools.
• Ensure rapid iteration cycles from concept development through demonstration, operational testing, and fielding.
• Drive experimentation and validation during exercises and real-world operations to refine capability effectiveness.
• Lead integration of emerging technologies into operational frameworks, ensuring compatibility with deployment, distribution, and sustainment operations.
• Translate operational requirements into technical solutions and executable development efforts.
• Enable transition of prototype capabilities into Programs of Record, operational use, or partner-force adoption pathways.
• Ensure sustainment, training, and lifecycle considerations are incorporated into all innovation efforts.
• Serve as the primary technical liaison between program leadership, mission partners, innovation organizations, and industry.
• Coordinate with organizations such as the Defense Innovation Unit and Army Futures Command to accelerate capability delivery.
• Build and maintain relationships with CCMDs, TSOCs, and multinational partners to align innovation with operational demand signals.
• Facilitate collaboration between operators, engineers, acquisition professionals, and external partners.
• Oversee development of training pipelines, curriculum, and operator qualification programs for emerging capabilities.
• Ensure fielded systems are accompanied by effective training, documentation, and sustainment support.
• Support operational units through direct engagement, field support, and mission integration activities.
• Enable user adoption through hands-on training, experimentation, and exercise participation.
• Lead cross-functional teams executing innovation projects across multiple geographic locations.
• Establish governance, reporting structures, and performance metrics for federated lab operations.
• Provide senior-level reporting on innovation outcomes, capability transitions, and operational impact.
• Identify risks, capability gaps, and opportunities to enhance innovation effectiveness and mission support.
• Develop and field capabilities that operate in denied, degraded, intermittent, and low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments.
• Support distributed operations through resilient, adaptive, and scalable solutions.
• Enable non-standard approaches to support austere, expeditionary, and high-threat environments.

Benefits

• flexible time off
• robust learning resources
• competitive compensation
• competitive benefits
• learning and development opportunities
• comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior