Job Title Director, Research Engineering & Operations, ITEC Agency Texas A&M University System Offices Department Internet2 Technology Evaluation Center Proposed Minimum Salary Commensurate Job Location College Station, Texas Job Type Staff Job Description The System Offices is one of several system members within the Texas A&M University System representing one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a network of 11 universities, a comprehensive health science center, eight state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M University System mission is to provide education, conduct research, commercialize technology, offer training, and deliver services for the people of Texas and beyond. The System Offices, within the Texas A&M University System, provides an outstanding benefits package including, but not limited to: competitive health benefits; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; a defined benefit retirement plan with 8.25% employer contribution through Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS); tuition assistance; and wellness programs to promote work/life balance. Salary: Commensurate with experience. Job Description Summary: The Director, Research Engineering & Operations for the lnternet2 Technology Evaluation Center (ITEC), under general direction, provides leadership for and assists the Executive Director with the operation of the Center, and maintains responsibility for assigned major functional units. Represents the Executive Director in their absence and makes key operations and technical decisions. These operations involve basic and applied research in interoperability and cybersecurity of critical communications systems for public safety, defense, transportation, energy, and other critical Infrastructure, Including 4GISG/NextG wireless networks, and other next generation networks. This role utilizes extensive knowledge of existing networks to lead the design, implementation, and testing of creative and innovative solutions to new and emerging challenges in next generation networks. The primary responsibilities include proposing, conducting, and reporting on researching Initiatives. Performs as Principal Investigator (Pl), Co-Pl, or subject matter expert on research projects. Responsibilities: 65%: Departmental and Research Operations - Serves as a member of the Center's leadership team, leads the operational and engineering functions of the Center, and represents the Executive Director in their absence.- Leads strategic planning for areas supervised and assists the Executive Director in developing and implementing an overall departmental strategic plan.- Prepares budgets, allocates resources, and conducts planning for areas supervised to meet short-term needs and long-term sustainability of the institute. Provides input to the Center s overall budget.- Establishes performance goals and measures to evaluate success for areas of responsibility.- Participate in funded projects as a Principal Investigator (Pl), Co-Principal Investigator (Co-Pl), senior personnel, or collaborator.- Directs engineering and operations staff, ensures efficient workflows, and oversees data collection, analysis and reporting for research projects.- Supports principal investigators to conduct sponsored research. Assigns responsibilities and monitors performance of project personnel.- Conduct research, develop required reports, and execute on deliverables as appropriate for each project.- Produces research and contract products as needed to meet the objectives of the project.- Completes project deliverables according to executed contracts.- Stays abreast of developments in the field and participates in training and professional development sessions. 10%: Outreach - Attend and present at conferences as assigned.- Publish articles in trade and professional journals as appropriate.- Represents the center to the University, State and Federal agencies, and industry associations as assigned. - Serve on US and International Standards Committees as requested. - Serve on OHS, DoD and FCC federal advisory boards and committees as appointed. 10%: Research Development Support - Assists with definition of technical and operational requirements, designs, and specifications.- Assist with writing proposal content and budget estimates. 10% Supervision and Training - Recruits, hires, and supervises project teams.- Models ethical, regulatory, and performance standards.- Models and promotes the open sharing of information, dedication to the team's mission, customer commitment, collaboration, and cooperation.- Participates in training and professional development with a special emphasis on leadership development, management, industry related acumen, and project and operations management.- Conducts professional development trainings for team members.- Oversees and manages personnel issues. 5%: other Duties - Performs other duties as assigned. Education and Experience: - Bachelor's degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience. ​- Ten years of progressively responsible, successful, and related management, administrative, and operational experience, including at least five years of managing other team leaders and managers. Registration, Certifications, and Licenses: - Ability to obtain at least a Secret-level US security clearance based on a background investigation.- Ability to obtain a US Passport and the ability to travel domestically and internationally. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: - Skilled at client relations, requirement assessment and analysis, statement of work creation, project management, and service delivery.- Skilled at using word processing, spreadsheets, and presentation applications to produce professional-quality proposals and documentation.- Excellent oral and written communication skills.- Ability to work digitally (paperless) utilizing Microsoft 365 (Outlook, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, PowerPoint). - Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others. - Willing and able to occasionally work outside normal office hours. Preferred Qualifications: Preferred Experience: - Experience with directing the development of winning project proposals, and successfully conducting the work specified in those projects. - Experience with public safety, defense, and/or critical infrastructure communications systems. - Experience managing departmental finances. - Experience designing and operating mission critical networks. - Experience in public speaking. Preferred Licenses and Certifications: - CBRS CPI - 4G/5G wireless network certifications. - Network security certifications. - General radio operator or amateur radio license. Preferred Special Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Deep understanding of complex network systems, including voice, data, and video networks. - Following is a list of some of the main networking technologies that we deal with. We don't expect any one candidate to know all of them. But candidates with experience in these areas are preferred. - LANs, switching: copper, fiber, WiFi, VLANs, LACP, SyncE.- Routing protocols: IP subnetting, direct, static, OSPF, (E/l)BGP, redistribution, MPLS, VXLAN, SR.- Software-defined Networking: Yang, NETCONF, OpenFlow, etc.- Supporting services: DHCP, NTP, PTP, DNS, Radius, LDAP.- Monitoring: SNMP, syslog, SLA management, taps & packet brokers.- Network security: firewalls, (CG)NAT/PAT, iptables, fail2ban, CMMC.- Wireless: 4G and/or SG core, transport, RAN, O-RAN, MANO.- Linux: host and network configuration, scripting. Other Requirements: This is a security-sensitive position and is restricted to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. Only complete applications will be considered for employment at The Texas A&M System Offices. Incomplete job application data could result in your application being rejected without an option to reapply. A cover letter and resume may be required in addition to a completed employment application. All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check. Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Veterans/Disability Employer.