R2O Integration Lead

IBSS is seeking highly qualified candidates to potentially provide Agile program and project management services for NOAA’s Modeling Moonshot Initiative. The work supports multi-organization scientific R&D programs with substantial software components and is distinct from IT program management.

The multi-year NOAA Modeling Moonshot Initiative advances U.S. leadership in Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) through GPU-accelerated modeling, continuous data assimilation (DA), AI-augmented ensemble prediction, and NOAA’s transition to the Model for Prediction Across Scales (MPAS) dynamical core.

Its Research-to-Operations (R2O) focus prioritizes moving advanced capabilities into NOAA’s operational forecast suite through coordination among NOAA offices, federal laboratories, and scientific partners.

The Moonshot encompasses four interconnected technical focus areas:

• MPAS integration into the Unified Forecast System (UFS) for the next-generation Global Forecast System (GFS).
• Continuous DA using a global km-scale Joint Effort for Data Assimilation Integration (JEDI)-MPAS system.
• GPU acceleration and UFS refactoring for advanced hardware, cloud, and high-performance computing.
• I for NWP (AI4NWP), including emulation, hybrid physics/AI models, and training datasets.

The services will operate across all four areas, providing WPO with program visibility, dependency and risk management, R2O tracking, deliverable coordination, and stakeholder engagement. Although not performing scientific or software development, personnel must understand NWP, scientific computing, and Agile development to engage technical staff and coordinate effectively.

Position summary

Leads the integrated program framework and the research-to-operations-to-research transition system for the Moonshot portfolio. This role connects roadmaps, dependencies, readiness gates, risks, partner commitments, and operational acceptance across all four focus areas.

Roles and responsibilities

• Establish and maintain the Agile Program Management Framework, living roadmap, decision model, shared artifact structure, and portfolio cadence.
• Design and administer Government-approved R2O2R readiness levels, evidence gates, Capability Transition Records, and transition dashboards.
• Chair the biweekly Integration Forum; identify cross-area dependencies, shared interfaces/baselines, handoffs, conflicts, and decisions requiring escalation.
• Coordinate transition triads and readiness reviews among research leads, software/integration leads, and Government operational counterparts.
• Manage interfaces with NWS organizations and external partners including NCAR, JCSDA, DTC, and aligned EPIC activities through documented commitments.
• Connect dependency, risk, capacity, financial, and partner information to roadmaps and backlogs so program decisions are based on one traceable view.
• Oversee the Lessons Learned Repository and convert approved lessons into backlog items, process changes, or updated gate criteria.
• Guide focus-area TPMs and the Program Specialist; coordinate surge coverage and ensure consistent facilitation and reporting standards across teams.
• Prepare decision packages and briefings that present options, evidence, mission/schedule impact, resource implications, and recommended action.

• MA/MS degree (or accepted equivalent).
• 8-10 years of experience in the technical area being managed and 8+ years of IT management experience.
• Demonstrated ability to manage day-to-day engineering or scientific-software activities and to organize, direct, and coordinate complex project work.
• Strong written/oral communication, facilitation, conflict resolution, dependency management, risk management, and executive-briefing skills.
• Working knowledge of Agile/DevOps delivery, configuration management, verification evidence, and operational transition concepts., * Experience leading R2O/R2O2R transitions for NOAA weather, climate, water, ocean, or environmental prediction capabilities.
• Knowledge of UFS/MPAS, JEDI, NWP workflows, HPC/GPU modernization, AI/ML systems, and operational acceptance constraints.
• SAFe, PMI-ACP, CSM/PSM, Release Train Engineer, or comparable credential.
• Experience with readiness gates, integrated roadmaps, dependency networks, transition records, and portfolio dashboards.
• Experience coordinating NOAA line offices, Federal laboratories, universities, community-development organizations, and operational users.
• dvanced proficiency with Smartsheet, Google Workspace, and governed program-data/reporting environments.

IBSS offers a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage with a company-paid deductible, paid time off, federal holidays, a matching 401K plan, tuition/professional development reimbursement, and Flex-Spending (FSA)/Dependent Care Account (DCA) options.

Since 1992, IBSS, a woman-owned small business, has provided transformational consulting services to the Federal defense, civilian, and commercial sectors. Our services include cybersecurity and enterprise information technology, environmental science and engineering (including oceans, coasts, climate, and weather), and professional management services.

Our approach is to serve our employees by investing in their growth and development. As a result, our employees bring greater capabilities and provide exceptional service to our clients. In addition to creating career development opportunities for our employees, IBSS is passionate about giving back to the community and serving the environment. We strive to leave something better behind for the next generation.

We measure our success by the positive impact we have on our employees, clients, partners, and the communities we serve. Our tagline, Powered by Excellence, is a recognition of the employees that make up IBSS and ensures we deliver results with quality, applying industry best practices and certifications.