Telecommunications Operations Director Jobs in Reston, VA

ResponsibilitiesOverview & Mission Context

Join Peraton in advancing the safety, efficiency, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS) through the FAA's FAA Enterprise Network Services (FENS) contract. As a trusted partner to the Federal Aviation Administration, Peraton helps deliver the telecommunications infrastructure and network services that keep our nation's skies safe and connected. We're looking for innovative professionals who thrive in mission-critical environments and are passionate about shaping the future of FAA telecommunications and network modernization. This is your chance to make an impact on one of the world's most vital transportation infrastructures, working alongside leaders in telecommunications, network engineering, cybersecurity, and systems integration.

At Peraton, you won't just support the mission - you'll define it.

Position Summary

Help shape the future of U.S. airspace safety and efficiency. Peraton is seeking an experienced Telecom FENS Manager to support the execution, oversight, and growth of large-scale telecommunications programs aligned to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). This role partners closely with the Program Senior Director to manage daily operations, technical delivery, workforce performance, and stakeholder engagement for a diverse organization of 75-100 telecommunications professionals spanning network engineering, fiber/copper infrastructure, cybersecurity, and service delivery functions. The ideal candidate is a proven leader with strong operational discipline, financial acumen, and experience delivering complex telecommunications services in a regulated federal environment. This position requires the ability to balance strategic objectives with hands-on execution while maintaining alignment with FAA mission priorities, including the transition from legacy copper infrastructure to modern fiber optic networks and secure cloud connectivity.

Work Location

This position is 100% on-site, primarily located in Herndon, VA, with an alternate work location available in Bowie, MD. Candidates must be able to work on-site at one of these locations based on program requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities

Duties to include, but not be limited to:

• Lead integrated FENS execution across multiple telecommunications and network domains.
• Manage scope, cost, schedule, and risk for enterprise network services. Coordinate FAA governance, integrator, and carrier/OEM stakeholders, drive milestone reviews and decision forums, and ensure readiness for network cutovers and operational turnover.
• Oversee day-to-day telecommunications program operations, including fiber deployment, network modernization, and cloud connectivity initiatives.
• Lead and manage a workforce of 75-100 telecommunications professionals, including managers, network engineers, analysts, and operational staff.
• Ensure delivery of telecommunications and network services meets contractual SLAs, KPIs, and FAA performance expectations.
• Oversee program execution, including schedule, staffing, risk, and issue management.
• Partner with technical leads to ensure alignment across wide-area networks, local-area networks, fiber infrastructure, cybersecurity, cloud connectivity, and network operations teams.
• Support budget planning, cost control, labor forecasting, and financial reporting in coordination with finance and contracts teams.
• Drive workforce performance through resource planning, succession planning, training, and performance management.
• Manage cross-functional dependencies and resolve escalated operational, technical, and personnel issues across network domains.
• Ensure compliance with FAA AMS, RMF, NIST, and contractual governance requirements as they apply to telecommunications infrastructure.
• Support customer engagement, executive briefings, and program reviews with FAA stakeholders on network modernization progress and service delivery.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives to enhance network service quality, bandwidth optimization, resilience, and team effectiveness.

Why This Role Matters

FAA telecommunications programs underpin the safety, reliability, and modernization of the National Airspace System (NAS). As the Telecom FENS Manager, you ensure that large, multi-disciplinary telecommunications teams deliver consistent, high-quality network services while meeting cost, schedule, performance, and compliance requirements. Your leadership directly impacts workforce stability, network operational readiness, and the FAA's ability to transition from legacy copper to modern fiber infrastructure and secure cloud-based applications without disruption to air traffic operations.

QualificationsRequired Qualifications

• U.S. Citizenship Required.
• Must have the ability to obtain / maintain a Public Trust clearance.
• 16 years of experience managing large, distributed telecommunications or network engineering teams (100+ personnel).
• Demonstrated success delivering telecommunications programs in federal environments.
• Strong understanding of enterprise network services, telecommunications service delivery models, operational governance, and performance management.
• Experience with network infrastructure transitions, including copper-to-fiber migrations, WAN/LAN modernization, and secure cloud connectivity.
• Experience supporting contract execution, workforce planning, and compliance reporting.
• Proven ability to manage project scope, schedules, budgets, risks, and dependencies using structured project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid).
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience briefing senior leadership and external customers.
• Ability to conduct technical reviews, validation activities, and post-implementation assessments for network deployments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Telecommunications, Network Engineering, Information Technology, Electrical Engineering, or related field.
• Certifications such as PMP, ITIL Managing Professional, CCNP/CCIE, or SAFe Agilist.
• Experience supporting FAA, DOT, or other aviation or transportation telecommunications programs.
• Familiarity with FENS, FTI, NextGen network requirements, or large-scale network modernization initiatives.
• Knowledge of fiber optic technologies, SD-WAN, MPLS, and secure cloud network architectures.
• Background in change management, organizational transformation, or program turnarounds.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to motivate, mentor, and retain high-performing teams.

Peraton Overview

Peraton is a next-generation national security company that drives missions of consequence spanning the globe and extending to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. As the world's leading mission capability integrator and transformative enterprise IT provider, we deliver trusted, highly differentiated solutions and technologies to protect our nation and allies. Peraton operates at the critical nexus between traditional and nontraditional threats across all domains: land, sea, space, air, and cyberspace. The company serves as a valued partner to essential government agencies and supports every branch of the U.S. armed forces. Each day, our employees do the can't be done by solving the most daunting challenges facing our customers. Visit peraton.com to learn how we're keeping people around the world safe and secure.

Target Salary Range$146,000 - $234,000. This represents the typical salary range for this position. Salary is determined by various factors, including but not limited to, the scope and responsibilities of the position, the individual's experience, education, knowledge, skills, and competencies, as well as geographic location and business and contract considerations. Depending on the position, employees may be eligible for overtime, shift differential, and a discretionary bonus in addition to base pay.EEOEEO: Equal opportunity employer, including disability and protected veterans, or other characteristics protected by law.Employment Type: FULL_TIME