IT Strategist

Dark Wolf is seeking an IT Strategist to support our mission by driving strategy and execution for TS/SCI networks and systems, SIPRNet VDI network and systems architectures, and Cross Domain Solutions (CDS) for commercial SCIFs. The role supports a high-stakes, department-wide transformation effort focused on enabling our customer to access classified data at mission speed through a government-funded, agile, contractor-delivered Minimum Viable Product. The IT Strategist serves as a hybrid operator with deep knowledge of agency classified network engineering, security accreditation, vendor accountability, and on-the-ground operational execution. The primary objective of this role is to oversee the strategic implementation of the Commercial Wide Area Network (CWAN) to streamline Top Secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information (TS/SCI) access for the Defense Industrial Base (DIB). The Senior IT Strategist will guide the paradigm shift from a government-funded infrastructure to a commercial fee-for-service model. The IT strategist will lead the Classified Infrastructure as a Service (CIaaS) Pilot, focusing on rapid capability delivery. The core scope involves reducing the current 12 to 24-month site onboarding timeline to under 3 months by transitioning to a contractor-delivered minimum viable product. The strategist will also ensure the architecture strictly adheres to a Zero Data Footprint policy, guaranteeing that no classified data resides at the contractor facility.

Key Responsibilities:

• Network Architecture Oversight: Direct the establishment of IC Exchange Points (ICX) utilizing high-speed peering to connect contractor network backbones across Eastern, Central, and Western geographic regions.
• Security & Accreditation: Manage the implementation of a single, scalable Authority to Operate (ATO) that covers all global kiosks, ensuring new sites require only administrative updates rather than new ATO cycles.
• VDI Implementation: Supervise the integration of government-controlled peering connected to a contractor Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI) network.
• Encryption Standards: Validate that all commercial transport network connections utilize mandatory Type-1 encryption.
• Stakeholder Integration: Empower the contractor to operate as the industry Program Management Office (PMO), serving as the single accountability interface between government stakeholders and the DIB.
• Future State Planning: Authorize and evaluate future hosting services, including the implementation of centralized Virtual Resource Hosting Clusters for industry contract performance.

Required Qualifications:

• 10+ years of tactical and strategic project management experience within the Department of Defense, Intelligence Community, or Defense Industrial Base.
• Extensive operational experience working with DCSA and DIA; Intelligence Community experience is a plus.
• Deep working proficiency with the Risk Management Framework (RMF), the ATO lifecycle, and ICD 705 SCIF build-outs.
• Practical understanding of Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), secure cloud environments, Type-1 encryption transport, and modern software development lifecycles.
• Proven ability to manage concurrent, multi-layered projects involving hardware deployment, facility construction, and complex IT network activations under tight deadlines.
• Ability to communicate complex technical, cybersecurity, accreditation, and operational concepts to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• US Citizenship and currently possess a Top Secret security clearance with SCI eligibility.

Desired Qualifications:

• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Agile/Scrum certification, or DoD 8140/8570 compliance certification such as Security+, CISSP, or CISM.
• Familiarity with classified cloud architectures such as AWS Secret/Top Secret or Microsoft Azure Government Secret.

The salary range for this position is $170,000.00 - $200,000.00 commensurate on experience and technical skillset.

We are strictly looking for direct, full-time W2 employees. We do not engage with third-party staffing agencies, C2C, or 1099 independent contractors for this role.