Operations Lead

Company Overview

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 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 overseeing the daily operations, performance, and availability of network infrastructure and services. This leadership role serves as the primary point of coordination for all network operations activities, ensuring high availability, security, and performance of mission-critical systems across multiple environments. The Ops Lead manages 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.

Position location is Annapolis Junction, MD and full time on-site.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Network Operations vertical, ensuring efficient and secure operations across all supported systems and networks.
• Lead and mentor shift leads, providing guidance, support, and performance feedback to maintain consistent, high-quality operations across all shifts.
• 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.
• 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.

Required Experience/Qualifications

• Familiarity with IT operations, VMware vSphere or NSX, Microsoft operating systems and Active Directory, Linux, Atlassian Jira/Confluence, Puppet or Ansible, and routing and networking.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. Excellent communications skills.
• Ability to effectively engage with both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ten (10) 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.
• Ten (10) years of experience with Federal cybersecurity organizations, policies, programs, and structures – experience and relationships with DoD USCYBERCOM or Service Cyber Components is a plus.
• Exceptional communication and presentation abilities with a demonstrated capability to coordinate and align efforts between government customers, senior executives, subcontractors and team members.
• Bachelor’s degree in cybersecurity, computer science, information technology, or a related technical field required; advanced degree or relevant graduate-level coursework preferred. Ten (10) years of Department of Defense leadership experience can be substituted for degree.
• Possess an active IAT Level II or higher certification.

Preferred Experience/Qualifications

• Knowledge of, or prior experience with PCTE
• Possesses ability and experience to brief and provide training for senior military and civilian leaders.
• Experience with Joint Training System (JTS) implementation including development of schedules and battle rhythms for JTS key annual activities.
• Experience with Joint Training Information Management System (JTIMS) and/or Joint Training Tool (JTT). 

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 if requested by the Government. 

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

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.

Salary Range

Salary Minimum: $145,000, Salary Maximum: $185,000

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)

Salary : $145,000 - $185,000