The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant contributions to Howard University's overall mission.

Basic Function:

The purpose of this position is to serve as the Information Systems Technology and DevSecOps Research Engineer for the Research Institute for Tactical Autonomy (RITA), University Affiliated Research Center (UARC). This work involves leading the design and development of a state-of-the-art cybersecure information system and research network to support Department of Defense (DoD) research, development, testing, and evaluation (RDT&E). This work will also include duties of an information system security officer (ISSO), working with a team to officiate, plan, and maintain the appropriate operational security for information systems and programs, working closely with Howard University Enterprise Technology Service (ETS) to create IT policies and procedures for RITA. Reports directly to Chief Technology Officer of the RITA, UARC.

Supervisory Accountability:

Responsible for making recommendations in the areas cybersecurity, data security, privacy, information technology (IT) infrastructure, and network secure communications with a focus on open architectures & applications and digital engineering infrastructures. Work involves coordinating activities to engineer IT systems for DoD RDT&E applications, support the use of DoD modeling and simulation tools, execution of security authorization and systems analysis.

Nature and Scope:

Internal contacts include executives, administrators, facility, students and staff of the department and the university at large. External contacts include consultants, federal and non-federal government agencies, representatives from other colleges and universities, industry partners, visitors, and the general public.

Principal Accountabilities:

• Responsible for architecting/engineering a modeling and simulation focused DevOps IT framework for the RITA UARC's DoD RDT&E portfolio.
• Responsible for working with ETS in the officiating of laws, regulations, and policies, for RITA, maintaining government security, confidentiality, and privacy compliance.
• Work with ETS to develop and manage information systems to meet government level security.
• Provide subject matter expertise in reviewing security plans for the RITA UARC and assist with maintaining of cybersecurity training requirements.
• Recommend, track, and monitor needed updates to existing systems.
• Provide technical support to staff and train nontechnical workers on the business's information systems.
• Align departmental goals with the university mission statement.
• Represent the department on university and community committees.
• Review project plans to plan and coordinate project activity.
• Develop and interpret organizational goals, policies, and procedures.
• Develop computer information resources, providing for data security and control, strategic computing, and disaster recovery.
• Consult with users, management, vendors, and technicians to assess computing needs and system requirements.
• Stay abreast of advances in technology.
• Meet with department heads, managers, supervisors, vendors, and others, to solicit cooperation and resolve problems.
• Provide users with technical support for computer problems.
• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

• Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to cybersecurity and privacy, specifically Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC) and NIST. Must be able to meet DoD 8570
• Knowledge of information classifications and handling.
• Experience with setting up research and development IT infrastructures that use software tools such as Advanced Framework for Simulation, Integration and Modeling (AFSIM).
• Experience with setting up IT infrastructure for DevOps deployment.
• Knowledge of cybersecurity and privacy principles used to manage risks related to the use, processing, storage, and transmission of information or data.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Documented success as an innovator and creative problem solver.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective and harmonious work relationships with staff, faculty, students, university officials and the general public.