Edge Protocols and Open APIs Lead

PeopleTec is currently seeking an Edge Protocols and Open APIs Lead to support our Huntsville, AL location.

The candidate will serve as an Edge Protocols and Open APIs Lead within a Project Management Office (PMO) within PAE Fires and will be responsible for providing technical support to the program's Chief Engineer and the Product Manager. The candidate will standardize internal and local machine-to-machine interfaces across tactical local area networks throughout the system lifecycle (design, development, acquisition, integration, testing, fielding, and sustainment). The candidate will prepare and present edge protocol and API findings, reports, and improvement plans to senior management and stakeholders. Will work within and/or lead a multidisciplinary team to achieve program goals. Perform other tasks as assigned by the Chief Engineer and/or Product Manager. 

The candidate will be required to interface with internal PMs across PAE Fires and external organizations to include HQDA, ASA(ALT), JIATF 401, ATEC, AMCOM, and others for coordination and synchronization of edge protocol and API technical and programmatic objectives. 

• Duties:

• Provide technical support and leadership in edge protocols and open APIs across the system lifecycle (design, development, acquisition, integration, testing, fielding, and sustainment). 

• Define requirements for, and verify the implementation of, Cursor-on-Target (CoT), SAPIENT, and Open Threat Protocol (OTP) gateways. 

• Manage high-throughput, low-latency Data Distribution Service (DDS) message buses. 

• Ensure developer APIs and SDKs for third-party sensor/effector vendor integration are specified, delivered, and validated. 

• Develop and maintain the Open API & SDK Documentation, Real-Time DDS Data Model/IDL Files, and CoT/SAPIENT Translation Gateways. 

• Ensure compliance with defense and industry standards by managing edge protocol and API processes effectively. 

• Interface with internal teams and external organizations to coordinate edge protocol and API objectives and strategies. 

• Prepare and present edge protocol and API findings, reports, and improvement plans to senior management and stakeholders. 

• Conduct strategic planning and coordination to support program objectives. 

• Provide technical guidance and leadership to peer and subordinate engineers within the edge protocol and API team. 

• Use digital tools and methodologies to manage cost, schedule, and performance for assigned activities. 

• Perform other tasks as assigned by the Chief Engineer and/or Product Manager. 

Required Skills/Experience:

• 10+ years of relevant experience. Additional education may be substituted for years of experience. 

• Extensive experience in edge protocols and open APIs, particularly within defense or aerospace industries. 

• Knowledge of Cursor-on-Target (CoT), SAPIENT, OMG DDS, Protocol Buffers, REST/gRPC, and ZeroMQ. 

• Strong knowledge of industry standards and defense requirements. 

• Excellent communication and presentation skills. 

• Ability to lead and work within a multidisciplinary team. 

• Previous experience working in a U.S. Government Program Office (required).
• Travel: 25%

• Must be a U.S. Citizen
• An active DoD Secret clearance is required to perform this work. Candidates are required to have an active Secret clearance upon hire, and the ability to maintain this level of clearance during their employment.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (or related technical discipline); advanced degree preferred. 

• Top Secret clearance preferred