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Job Title:Cybersecurity Chief Engineer
Primary Job Posting Location:
Warner Robins, GA 31088-7810Job Details:Mercer Engineering Research Center (MERC), a research institute of Mercer University, provides high quality engineering, scientific, and technical support services to both government and private industry customers.Responsible for the execution of all contractual efforts, including design, development, prototyping, production, operation, etc., as applicable. Sets the example for and advises/mentors all technical leads and contract personnel. Performs all duties and responsibilities under the supervision of the respective technical director.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
• For all contracts in the technical directorate, tracks technical status and reports issues with recommended solutions to technical director
• May serve as a technical lead on contracts
• Responsible for identifying all technical resources required for the respective technical area and works to hire, train, and equip the technical area. Ensures MERC is not one deep in any position. Identifies qualifications/ requirements to technical director and Sr. Manager, Employee Services
• Responsible for the accuracy and sufficiency of all engineering artifacts required to comply with MERC Standard Processes. Reviews the quality and effectiveness of the finished product and documents the Lessons Learned for completeness. They are the release authority of all deliverables
• Responsible for business development with new customers and new capabilities, both DoD-wide and commercial
• Communicates with the Technical Director, the Director of Acquisition Strategy, the Sr. Director of Engineering and Programs, and the Executive Director and keeps them informed of all aspects of their programs, especially issues and challenges
• Primary focal point to current customers within the respective technical area and across MERC
• Serves as the capture manager on contract opportunities; leads the proposal team in concert with the Director of Acquisition Strategy and the Senior Manager of Business Development
• Recommends training for new employees in the technical area
• Justifies all budget and resource allocation recommendations to senior management for the technical area
• Provides capital investment requirements for the technical area to the technical director
• Protects MERC competition-sensitive, proprietary information and intellectual property from those without a need-to-know
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
• US Citizenship is required.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance
• A Ph.D. in a relevant engineering field (e.g., Software Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science etc.) from an ABET accredited institution and 10 years of directly related technical experience; or a Master’s degree in same and 12 years of directly related technical experience; or an undergraduate degree in same and 13 years of directly
related technical experience
• Experience leading technical teams: 11 years with an advanced degree or 13 years with an undergraduate degree.
• Extensive experience in the designated industry including, but not limited to, aerospace, electrical, software, environmental, biomedical, mechanical, and systems engineering
• Experience leading teams of individuals from a variety of different backgrounds and disciplines
• Knowledge of the principles of engineering, analysis, test, and design
• Exceptional organizational and time management skills with an obsessive attention to detail.
• Able to collaborate and bridge the communication gap between the engineering team, service technicians, business development, operations staff, and clients
• Superior budgeting and cost management abilities, assessing estimated costs early in the program and bringing the actual costs within budget
• Able to draft clear and comprehensive reports on assigned contracts, the use and allocation of resources, and the quality of each finished program
• Possess technical acumen and the ability to troubleshoot on a variety of programs
• Able to perform business development activities to include customer interface, estimating and scheduling, technical proposal development, and follow-through
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
Demonstrated ability to develop and execute a long-term strategic vision for software and cybersecurity capabilities that aligns technical investments with organizational growth objectives.
Recognized technical leader in one or more advanced cyber disciplines including cyber operations, secure software engineering, DevSecOps, Zero Trust architectures, artificial intelligence/machine learning, cloud security, digital engineering, systems security engineering, or emerging technology integration.
Proven track record of identifying, developing, and maturing new technical capabilities that resulted in measurable business growth, market expansion, or competitive advantage.
Demonstrated success challenging conventional approaches and introducing innovative solutions that improve mission effectiveness, technical performance, operational efficiency, or customer outcomes.
Strong understanding of Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, Federal, and commercial cybersecurity markets, including emerging technology trends, threats, acquisition strategies, and customer priorities.
Experience translating market opportunities, customer challenges, and emerging technologies into actionable research, development, investment, and capture strategies.
Demonstrated history of identifying opportunities where existing processes, technologies, or organizational assumptions were limiting growth, and successfully leading transformational change despite institutional resistance.
Final rank will be determined on the qualifications of the selected candidate.
Application must include a cover letter and resume.
BENEFITS OF WORKING AT MERC
MERC is a non-profit research institute of Mercer University, a private university founded in 1833. Established in 1987 in Warner Robins, GA, MERC employs more than 200 engineers, scientists, professors, and support staff, who provide sustainable research solutions to government agencies, the Department of Defense, and commercial customers around the world. Warner Robins and the middle GA area are located 90 miles south of Atlanta and within easy driving distance of both the beach and mountains. The area is known for its Southern-style music, food, and restaurants and has a rich cultural and art presence, along with excellent health care and schools. MERC offers a generous benefits package including health and dental insurance, retirement, tuition reimbursement, vacation/sick leave accrual, and holiday pay.
Why Work at Mercer University
Mercer University offers a variety of benefits for eligible employees including comprehensive health insurance (for self and dependents), generous retirement contributions, tuition waivers, paid vacation and sick leave, technology discounts, schedules that allow for work-life balance, and so much more!
At Mercer University, a Bear is more than a mascot: it's a frame of mind that begins with a strong desire to make the most out of your career. Mercer Bears do not settle for mediocrity or the status quo. If you're seeking an environment where your passion and determination are embraced, then you want to work at Mercer University.
For more information, please visit: https://hr.mercer.edu/prospective-employees/
Scheduled Weekly Hours:40
EEO/Veteran/Disability
Skills Required
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Department of Defense security clearance
- Ph.D. in a relevant engineering field from an ABET-accredited institution and 10 years of directly related technical experience
- Master's degree in a relevant engineering field and 12 years of directly related technical experience
- Undergraduate degree in a relevant engineering field and 13 years of directly related technical experience
- 11 years of technical team leadership experience with an advanced degree, or 13 years with an undergraduate degree
- Extensive experience in aerospace, electrical, software, environmental, biomedical, mechanical, systems engineering, or a related designated industry
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams
- Knowledge of engineering, analysis, testing, and design principles
- Exceptional organizational, time management, and attention-to-detail skills
- Ability to collaborate across engineering, service, business development, operations, and client teams
- Superior budgeting and cost management skills
- Ability to draft comprehensive contract, resource, and program quality reports
- Technical troubleshooting ability across varied programs
- Business development experience, including customer interface, estimating, scheduling, technical proposal development, and follow-through
- Ability to develop and execute a long-term strategic vision for software and cybersecurity capabilities
- Recognized technical leadership in cyber operations, secure software engineering, DevSecOps, Zero Trust, artificial intelligence and machine learning, cloud security, digital engineering, systems security engineering, or emerging technology integration
- Track record of developing technical capabilities that produced business growth, market expansion, or competitive advantage
- Experience introducing innovative solutions and leading transformational change
- Understanding of Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, federal, and commercial cybersecurity markets
- Experience translating market opportunities and customer challenges into research, development, investment, and capture strategies
What We Do
Mercer University is a private research university based in Macon, Georgia. Founded in 1833, it is the oldest private university in the state, enrolling over 9,000 students across 12 colleges and schools. The university focuses on providing undergraduate, graduate, and professional education, while promoting academic research and its practical application in service to others.
