Mission Integration Lead - Survivable Airborne Operations

Join a team building secure, automated recovery capabilities that will enable future mission-critical systems to recover quickly and operate with confidence when it matters most. We are looking for motivated engineers, hands-on problem solvers, and proactive go-getters who take ownership and enjoy moving complex solutions from concept through integration and demonstration.

DS2 is seeking a senior technical leader who can translate mission needs into executable architectures, evaluate and down-select emerging technologies, and guide capabilities from concept and prototype through integration, authorization, and operational demonstration. The role offers a hybrid mix of virtual collaboration and occasional in-person activities, with a preference for candidates who can travel to the Boston, Massachusetts area for team meetings, lab integration, and customer-facing events.

Who is DS2?

DS2 provides full life-cycle software engineering services to DoW, federal, and commercial clients. We are committed to teamwork, a clear focus on the customer, and a belief that hiring talented individuals is essential to achieving our vision of being "Engineered to Exceed Expectations".

Every day, DS2 engineers meet our client's needs through problem-solving, teamwork, and technology-driven solutions. You can expect to work with a team of committed engineers that lives our core values in an environment where working hard is important and playing hard is just as important.

Please Note: You must be a U.S. Citizen and able to complete a U.S. government background investigation.

Responsibilities — What you'll do:

• Lead technical evaluation, trade studies, vendor engagement, and down-selection of COTS solutions to meet DoW mission-infrastructure technology needs
• Design, implement, and maintain secure, resilient network architectures that support mission‑critical DoD systems and communication requirements
• Guide Integration of discrete capabilities to create a comprehensive mission solution
• Define and coordinate Zero Trust, RMF/ATO, STIG, supply-chain, and mission-assurance requirements without compromising operational performance or recovery objectives
• Collaborate with system engineers, cybersecurity teams, and program leadership to ensure network solutions align with mission needs and security requirements
• Configure and administer routers, switches, firewalls, and other network infrastructure in accordance with DoD security and performance guidelines
• Communicate technical risk, alternatives, recommendations, and investment decisions to engineering leaders, program stakeholders, customers, and approving authorities

Required Qualifications — We need someone who:

• Has a bachelor's degree in Information Technology, Computer Science, Engineering, Cybersecurity, or a related discipline, with substantial relevant experience in mission systems, cybersecurity, systems engineering, or technical program leadership 
• Is a U.S. Citizen and eligible to complete required security vetting for federal contract work 
• Has demonstrated experience supporting or contributing to architecture, modernization, integration, or sustainment efforts for mission-critical defense, intelligence, operational technology, cloud, or enterprise systems 
• Can lead technology evaluations, trade studies, product assessments, vendor down-selects, prototypes, and transition planning from concept through demonstration and integration
• Understands Zero Trust, security architecture, systems engineering, RMF/ATO, vulnerability management, STIG implementation, and operational resilience or continuity planning
• Can balance cybersecurity, reliability, availability, performance, mission operations, cost, schedule, and integration risk when recommending technical solutions
• Communicates effectively with technical teams, senior leaders, government customers, cybersecurity stakeholders, and cross-functional program organizations

Preferred Qualifications — Bonus points if you:

• Hold an active Secret/TS/SCI clearance and current CISSP, CISM, Security+, or comparable technical certifications 
• Have led modernization, sustainment, or recovery efforts for classified mission infrastructure, operations centers, ground systems, or distributed operational environments 
• Have experience with operational technology, ICS/SCADA, cloud modernization, VMware, secure DevSecOps, cross-domain solutions, SIEM/SOAR, backup, disaster recovery, or continuity of operations 
• Have established organizational assessment tools, evaluation frameworks, product labs, or rapid R&D portfolios that moved emerging technologies into customer demonstrations or operational programs
• Have authored or reviewed technical solution narratives, white papers, RFI/RFP responses, estimates, bills of material, architecture decisions, or customer briefings
• Can mentor multidisciplinary engineering teams and provide continuity as a deputy technical lead or future chief engineer for a growing mission-resilience portfolio