project manager

product owner

purchasing specialist

software engineer

developer

ManTech International Corporation

Your actual work title will be: Senior Information Security Analyst as a PSO - Journeyman (Level 4 of 6). Stayed for the pay, left because of the decrease in mental health - knew it was not going to be a long-term career within the first month. Known pay range amongst the employees were from $105k-130k per year. Hard worker, self-starter: often worked over 8 hours to complete the job deadlines, but only able to log 8 hours via Workday due to overtime not approved. Told you are paid salary, but have to log exactly 8 hours each day (get disciplined if you log time in arrear or in advanced) and if you work less than 8hrs, you have to use PTO, "make it up," or get less on next paycheck. Expect to be at your desk or in meetings the entire 8 hours (breaks given, but are often strictly enforced). I would consider the workplace a toxic environment/culture. They boast the employees are tight like a family. If so, it is a very dysfunctional family. Some people are given leeway and grace repeatedly while others get a 'no second chance' discussion. Favorite employees are voiced regularly. Most meetings could be a short email; managers love to reiterate themselves many times. If you already know the job inside and out, are not trying to learn something new, follow vague directions well, are not creative in your work, are often forgotten about, eat your lunch while at work, follow the status quo, and just sit at your desk and do your job; you will likely excel in this company. If you try to make the company or contract better in any way, try to navigate the workspace to make the company better than you found it, and like to socialize with your coworkers, expect to fight resistance the entire time from management and have another place of work lined up. The company and job positions are set up for introverts. Extroverts, look elsewhere. Due diligence is not often performed, even though we are expected to be the 'experts.' Very much a "Cover Your Assets" place of employment. The job itself is not difficult; potentially easy to master if you grew up using computers. There is not a 'career' mindset among the employees. Fastest way to get disciplined is to be looking at a website that is not directly work related. Happens all too often. Career professional development is accomplished regularly, but is often generic and surface-level. It was a great time for the leader/manager to criticize, but not offer any actionable fixes.

Served ManTech Cyber Division as lead solutions architect, provided technical support service recommendations to supported business development and capture management activities by providing gap analysis, solution recommendations that align with Statements of Work (SOW) and Performance Work Statements (PWS) requirements. 

Conducted RFP and RFI analysis of business and technical, Level of Effort (LOE) requirements and provide recommendations to senior management for appropriate solution to meet contract requirements for Help/Service Desk Operations, Application Development (Waterfall or Agile), Infrastructure Modernization, Enterprise Backup and Recovery, Diaster Recover and Business Continuity Lifecycle Management, IT Security Integration. Other responsibilities included engineering appropriate business and technical solutions that meets customer requirements, conducting research on open source and emerging technologies which ManTech would leverage as part of its service portfolio and service offerings to its customers, provided recommendations for creating a Solutions Architect Working Group (SAWG) that was aimed at reviewing commercial and government technical products, tool, applications and solutions to integrate into ManTech service portfolio.  

Participated in DOJ Virtualization transformation that included Virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) design and operational support, VMware vSphere,  VMware Horizon with View, VMware ThinApp, ESXi, VMotion and VCenter Operations Manager. Development of Windows and UNIX enterprise service oriented architecture solutions, virtual infrastructure, enterprise applications and systems to include design, analysis and modeling at a high technical level; analyzed complex computer system requirements and provided integration and implementation recommendations.

Leveraged industry information and company past performance experience, provided technical recommendations for Unified Communications platform, ITIL Service Design, IT services support, systems engineering, security and IA activities, data requirements, service/help desk operations, functional user life cycle testing and document functional, system, domain specific requirements. Formulated system concepts and architecture specific requirements and developed implementation approaches for new systems and/or tailored products to meet user requirements.

I joined expecting a long-term opportunity supporting important Navy programs and worked alongside many talented and dedicated employees. The mission itself was meaningful, and there were opportunities to gain valuable experience in defense contracting.

Unfortunately, my overall experience was defined by a lack of onboarding, limited organizational support, frequent turnover, and ongoing uncertainty regarding staffing and workforce stability. New employees were often expected to navigate processes, responsibilities, and customer expectations largely on their own. Communication and expectations could vary significantly depending on the contract and leadership chain.

One of the most challenging aspects of the role was the disconnect between operational realities and organizational decision-making. Teams were frequently expected to meet demanding customer requirements without having all of the resources, personnel, tools, or autonomy needed to do so efficiently. Employees who raised concerns or proposed operational improvements often felt that their feedback was not meaningfully considered.

I also experienced confusion regarding leave administration when an unexpected medical issue required an extended absence. Despite providing medical documentation and following the requested process, the outcome was not communicated clearly, and my accounts were disabled while I was on leave, creating additional stress during an already difficult time.

While there are good people throughout the organization and the work itself can be rewarding, prospective employees should be prepared for a highly independent environment with limited onboarding, significant organizational ambiguity, and concerns regarding long-term workforce stability. My experience ultimately did not align with the long-term career growth and support that was presented during the hiring process.

In my role as Information Assurance Manager I worked directly with program management for the gathering of requirements, design, and the deployment of a Wide Area Network(WAN) that processes data at the National Security Level. I have established working relationships with the Navy Cyber Security Directorate for the Certification and Accreditation of the WAN and also for four separate legacy Local Area Networks that operate within Department of Defense compartmentalizes security requirements. I had responsibility to manage four system administrators and I was the liaison between program management, program security, and many different organizations to meet management’s goals. I maintain all documentation pertaining to all systems under my control including System Security Plans (SSP’s), Standard Operating Procedures, and other various government compliance documents.
Subject matter expert Government Cyber Security Compliance.

Information Assurance Manager 							Mar 2010 – May 2012
Office of the Secretary of Defense, Director Special Programs Office  

Under the authority of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition Technology and Logistics(AT&L), Government Program Management and team leads I was responsible for the IT/IA security of an enterprise national security environment and the systems that fell within the security domain. I applied discretionary access and mandatory access rules and policies to the systems and had responsibility for continuous monitoring of the systems. I was also a member of an inspection team that traveled to sites that processed data under our security domain and was the IT/IA inspector for those sites. I made recommendations to government management for the accreditation of the sites and the systems. Working with IT/IA staff at sites I helped with the remediation and mitigation of findings and develop plans of action and milestones for the accreditation of the sites and their systems.

The most enjoyable part of the job was working in and around one of the worlds most advanced aircraft. The hardest part . My co workers were respectful, professional,seasoned and easy to work with. Management was good, but overwhelmed and overburdened. they where expected to reach milestones that where not realistic at the pace that the test program was moving,  operationaly and logistictly. I learned how to correctly monitor and document, step by step maintenance practices on a state of the art aircraft and its systems in developemental and operational testing. Proof read new technical publications, maintenance manuals and other related materials. learned the value of teamwork. Coordinated with the appropriate Government personnel to have the correct changes made to these documents if discrepencies where found in the manuals or in the maintenance action its self. Learned to search for certain maintenance action forms(MAF's) on the NAVY's computer based maintenance documentation platform(NALCOMIS) and upload to the new Reliability and Maintainability(R&M) metrics database to address any issues with any system or component that had fault codes. We'd coordinate with the customer and the appropriate contractor engineer's, SME's and maintenance personnel on the appropriate action to take. A typical day at the hanger was usualy 0600 - ,1430. Half hour lunch. Attended maintenance control pass down at 0615, went upstairs to the monitor's work area, logged into my computer and monitored NALCOMIS to see the MAF's the contractor was writing up. My two co workers and I would visualy monitor and document the applicable maintenance actions to ensure adherence to the maintenance manuals, technical publications and other applicable data. We where the PMAs on site monitors, Ensuring a cost effective, reliable and easily maintainable product that will be a NAVY workhorse for Decades to come.

Configure and operated a digital computer systems with FBCB2-JCR Vehicle software that encompass establishing the communication via EPLR radios, Sincgars radio, and L-band transceivers. This included loading and install of UTO (unit task organizations) missions, configuring peripherals interfaces, GPS devices, operated & maintained the tactical vehicles hosting the system.

Conduct various test scenarios & experiments to validate the software requirements, assisted in test setup, modification of test procedures as well as subjective judgments in measurement, selecting, preparing, and operating standard test equipment and for test data collection.

Extracted and compiled a variety of engineering data from field notes, manuals, lab reports, operated test equipment logs, and data collection devices and computers.

Processed collected test data, identified errors or inconsistencies, assisted in selecting methods of data presentation.
Assists in design modification by compiling data related to design, specifications, and materials that are pertinent to specific items of equipment or component parts.

Assisted in developing information reports, concerning previous operational failures and modifications, and using collected data.

Required independent judgment and initiative to recognize inconsistencies or gaps in data and seek sources to clarify information.

Networking computers in numbers of 40, installing software on to platforms.

Diagnose/resolve network and software issues/problems.

Install, configure, troubleshoot /maintain hardware/software applications

Making and installing cat 5 cabling.

Configure and operated NACT 2 software.

Configure and operated IMS Software.

My typical day consist of supporting the IC Gov Cloud, sustaining the AMOD Systems; running cables, terminating/crimping cables, maintenance on Voip systems.

I learned a great deal of experience while supporting these systems for our War Fighters, design and develop equipment processes and systems that involve data networks, communications and display; Develop and maintain technical procedures for all combat systems.

Supervised installation of CAT5e cables and termination of data phone closet’s patch panels, switches, power over Ethernet switches, frames and workstations; Implemented configuration and fault management for a range of platforms including voicemail (IN), HLR (Home Location Register), VLR (Visitor Location Register), BSC (Base Station Controller), SMSC (Short Message Service Center), and IWF (Inter Working Function).

My co-workers were great assets in completing our missions, with building and testing of all systems in lab environment, deploying systems within the field, maintaining life cycle support and compiling data encryption to Agency for target evaluation.

The hardest part of the job for me was waiting for other government agencies to approve our system installs, system support, and our deployment mission outside the CONUS sites.

The most enjoyable part of the job was knowing that our systems directly impacted the capture of key valued targets, changing the course of the war and assisted our military in completing their missions in a safer manner.

I worked on the VEMOS contract two times from 2009 - 2012, and 2018 - 2022, both OCONUS and CONUS. As a certified armor welder and NDT II I worked with some of the most awesome people that I have ever met. My managers were also awesome. For the most part, the clicks that can happen both home and abroad were delt with sternly and fast. My supervisors pushed MANTECH University pretty hard and they wanted us to move up, not out. I left on my own accord in 2012, and our contract ended in 2022. I would go back in a heartbeat. The overseas stories and experiences are so incredible that you wouldn't believe some of them. Standard management issues when there are so many, Some great, some not so much, but overall you easily learn  how to avoid the not so great ones.  You have to remember that ManTech International is a government contractor. The billiing rules are strict. ManTech International Is proud of their rating and will do what it needs to hold onto that. Contracts end and people lose their jobs. Managers can and do lose their jobs for treating their subordinates badly. Upper Upper management and HR are there for you and after a sometimes lengthy investigation will act with efficiency. I've seen management chopped down after an investigation, though I have also seen a couple "untouchables" though they too succombed to the axe. My logistics team made certain that we had what we needed. There are systems in place to track employees while overseas. Definitely want to go back. 

I worked at two unique locations while with ManTech.  The first location was Ramadi, Iraq in an austere location.  A typical day included reviewing tasking's for the day.  I also attended meetings with the customers to determine their upcoming requirements to ensure that we would have enough manpower and supplies to accomplished missions.  I learned how to install and program different telecommunications systems in multiple military platforms.  I enhanced my familiarity of different types of electronic test equipment, I also developed both time and cost saving procedures for our team to follow.
The second location that I worked at for ManTech was at Fort Hood, TX.  I led a team of 70 personnel, composed of six first level managers.  My daily tasks included interfacing with the customers ensuring reset of various types of telecommunications equipment.  My teams job included refurbishment of equipment after being deployed to locations throughout the world.  I also wrote business proposals that included determining associates personnel and equipment costs.  The easiest [art of my job was team building.  The most difficult part of my job was learning how to write proposals, I overcame this by seeking out training and having my manager review my work until I became proficient at the task.  I also wrote a guide on how to write proposals that was followed by three different locations. 

Work divided into two categories:

Home: Review and develop curriculum used to train EW officers in US Army brigades during training rotations prior to deployment into theater at the US Army Combat Training Centers (CTCs). Search NIPr and SIPr websites for articles relevant to developing EW research and development, systems, TTPs, and emerging trends.

Away: Team Lead supporting training rotations for departing US Army brigades training EW to BDE and BN EWOs and CREW master gunners on high-order EW, Counter-IED, and CREW. Training included proper use of airborne AE platforms to support ground missions including supporting JTAR / EARF documents, as well as EW CREW system implementation for both vehicle-mounted and dismounted systems.

Learned about the US Army's need for and approach to Electronic Warfare, as well as the best means to impliment the same.

Co-workers are all former USN and USAF officer or enlisted. All were dedicated to the process of bringing training of high-order Electronic Warfare implimentation to the US Army. All were SMEs on EW, CREW and Counter-IED, counter-measure systems, TTPs and EWO best practices.

The hardest part of the job is the US Army's resistance to change regarding the use of Electronic Warfare, along with the extended travel requirements.

The most rewarding part of the job is seeing the students embrace EW concept and application in the performance of their duties as brigade and battalion EWOs during those training rotations which were the most successful.

Top Job Titles	Average Salary
Project manager 46 salaries reported	$117,217 per year
Product owner 45 salaries reported	$134,750 per year
Purchasing specialist 44 salaries reported	$107,850 per year
Software engineer 1 salary reported	$130,226 per year
Developer 1 salary reported	$163,400 per year

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