Rapid Reaction Innovation Lead

Job description

Job Title: Federated Lab Lead Job Category: Project and Program Management Time Type: Full time Minimum Clearance Required to Start: TS/SCI Employee Type: Regular Percentage of Travel Required: Up to 25% Type of Travel: Outside Continental US * * * The Opportunity: As the CACI Federated Lab Lead, you will serve as the senior technical integrator and innovation lead for a nationwide ecosystem of Theater Edge Innovation Labs (TEIL) and enterprise innovation labs. In this Government Key Position, you will guide the rapid development, integration, and transition of non‑standard logistics and mission‑enabling capabilities that support distributed sustainment, contested logistics, and multi‑domain operations. In this role, you connect operational requirements, emerging technologies, and acquisition pathways. You will work closely with Combatant Commands (CCMDs), Theater Special Operations Commands (TSOCs), and mission partners to ensure advanced technologies—such as autonomous systems, ISR‑enabled logistics, AI/ML tools, edge computing solutions, and non‑standard platforms—are quickly prototyped, tested, and delivered for operational use. Building on proven TEIL models, you will expand a scalable innovation ecosystem that links operators, engineers, industry partners, and acquisition stakeholders. Your leadership will accelerate the transition of new capabilities from early concept to fielded employment. Ultimately, you ensure that innovation efforts directly enhance operational readiness across competition, crisis, and conflict in contested and distributed environments. Responsibilities: Serve as the senior advisor on innovation strategy for non-standard logistics and mission-enabling capability development. Establish and lead a federated network of innovation labs aligned with Theater Edge Innovation Lab (TEIL) constructs and enterprise innovation hubs. Synchronize innovation activities across CONUS and OCONUS lab environments to support operational requirements. Align lab efforts with Theater Campaign Plans (TCPs), operational priorities, and CCMD/TSOC requirements. Lead rapid prototyping efforts focused on logistics platforms, autonomous resupply, ISR-enabled sustainment, and edge-enabled mission systems. Oversee development and integration of capabilities, including unmanned aerial, maritime, and ground systems, sensor payloads, and AI/ML-enabled decision tools. Ensure rapid iteration cycles from concept development through demonstration, operational testing, and fielding. Drive experimentation and validation during exercises and real-world operations to refine capability effectiveness. Lead integration of emerging technologies into operational frameworks, ensuring compatibility with deployment, distribution, and sustainment operations. Translate operational requirements into technical solutions and executable development efforts. Enable transition of prototype capabilities into Programs of Record, operational use, or partner-force adoption pathways. Ensure sustainment, training, and lifecycle considerations are incorporated into all innovation efforts. Serve as the primary technical liaison between program leadership, mission partners, innovation organizations, and industry. Coordinate with organizations such as the Defense Innovation Unit and Army Futures Command to accelerate capability delivery. Build and maintain relationships with CCMDs, TSOCs, and multinational partners to align innovation with operational demand signals. Facilitate collaboration between operators, engineers, acquisition professionals, and external partners. Oversee development of training pipelines, curriculum, and operator qualification programs for emerging capabilities. Ensure fielded systems are accompanied by effective training, documentation, and sustainment support. Support operational units through direct engagement, field support, and mission integration activities. Enable user adoption through hands-on training, experimentation, and exercise participation. Lead cross-functional teams executing innovation projects across multiple geographic locations. Establish governance, reporting structures, and performance metrics for federated lab operations. Provide senior-level reporting on innovation outcomes, capability transitions, and operational impact. Identify risks, capability gaps, and opportunities to enhance innovation effectiveness and mission support. Develop and field capabilities that operate in denied, degraded, intermittent, and low-bandwidth (DDIL) environments. Support distributed operations through resilient, adaptive, and scalable solutions. Enable non-standard approaches to support austere, expeditionary, and high-threat environments. Qualifications: Required: Active TS clearance with SCI eligibility Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Information Systems, Robotics, Computer Science, Operational Planning, or related discipline. Minimum 12–15 years of experience supporting SOF, Joint, or Combatant Command operations. Demonstrated experience leading innovation labs, rapid prototyping efforts, or capability integration initiatives. Proven experience integrating emerging technologies (autonomous systems, ISR, AI/ML, edge computing) into operational environments. Experience coordinating across operators, engineers, acquisition stakeholders, and industry partners. Strong understanding of Joint Planning Process (JPP), operational integration, and capability transition pathways. Experience supporting fielding, training, and sustainment of technical systems in expeditionary environments. Desired: Possess an active certification in one of the following: Project Management Institute (PMI) Project Management Professional (PMP) or PMI Program Management Professional (PgMP®) Direct experience with Theater Edge Innovation Lab (TEIL) or similar innovation ecosystems. Prior experience supporting U.S. Special Operations Command, TSOCs, or Geographic Combatant Commands. Experience working with defense innovation and modernization organizations. Background in unmanned systems, ISR integration, or advanced mission systems development. Experience supporting multinational partners and coalition operations. - What You Can Expect: A culture of integrity. At CACI, we place character and innovation at the center of everything we do. As a valued team member, you’ll be part of a high-performing group dedicated to our customer’s missions and driven by a higher purpose – to ensure the safety of our nation. An environment of trust. CACI values the unique contributions that every employee brings to our company and our customers - every day. You’ll have the autonomy to take the time you need through a unique flexible time off benefit and have access to robust learning resources to make your ambitions a reality. A focus on continuous growth. Together, we will advance our nation's most critical missions, build on our lengthy track record of business success, and find opportunities to break new ground — in your career and in our legacy. Pay Range : There are a host of factors that can influence final salary including, but not limited to, geographic location, Federal Government contract labor categories and contract wage rates, relevant prior work experience, specific skills and competencies, education, and certifications. Our employees value the flexibility at CACI that allows them to balance quality work and their personal lives. We offer competitive compensation, benefits and learning and development opportunities. Our broad and competitive mix of benefits options is designed to support and protect employees and their families. At CACI, you will receive comprehensive benefits such as; healthcare, wellness, financial, retirement, family support, continuing education, and time off benefits. The proposed salary range for this position is: $100,200 - $220,700 CACI is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic.