Chief Engineer Focuses on Innovation in Tampa
Rob S. Lee
April 2011
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As one of MITRE's 10 site-based chief engineers, Rob S. Lee's focus is twofold: provide tactical communications expertise to his sponsors and facilitate a high level of innovation at the corporation's Tampa, Fla. site. |
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As a network systems engineer in MITRE's Commands, Technology, and Intelligence Integration division, Rob S. Lee works at the company's Tampa, Fla., site and is also the site's chief engineer. He uses his expertise in tactical communications planning and integration to support his sponsors in Tampa as well as customers across the corporation.
"There are many things I enjoy about my work here in Tampa," says Lee. "I have an opportunity to contribute across our entire work program. Plus, I really like working with the operational commands. The problems are high priority and challenging, and you often get to see immediate results." The Tampa site's primary sponsors are the U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Special Operations Command.
Communications Across Commands
When Lee first came to MITRE's Reston, Va., campus in 1993, he supported the Defense Message System program. Three years later he had the opportunity to move to Tampa and support the Joint Communications Support Element (JCSE), an organization he had worked with earlier in his career. "My wife and I had been stationed in Tampa before I left the military. I liked the sponsor and the project so I jumped at the chance to move back to the Tampa area."
The JCSE project remains one of his favorites. "I supported both JCSE operations and systems acquisition divisions. The unique nature of the communications unit allowed for a lot of innovative thinking. For example, we devised a rapid acquisition system that went from concept development to the fielding of certified and accredited systems in one year. That framework is still in use today."
While in Tampa, Lee was also part of the JCSE Crisis Action Team, which coordinated communications operations immediately after September 11, 2001. "Fellow MITRE-ite Chris Bush and I were assisting several commands in planning numerous missions in multiple theaters 24 hours a day. Everyone at the site was working long hours in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and later for Operation Iraqi Freedom."
Site Chief Engineer
Beyond his specific project work for his sponsors, Lee has many additional responsibilities as the site's chief engineer. "Basically, I'm responsible for promoting the technical quality, depth, and innovation at the site. It's my job to implement the site leader's strategic guidance for facilities, labs, and innovation. In addition, I use my knowledge of the work program to try and ensure that the staff has the facilities and tools they need to be innovative."
MITRE's Tampa, Florida site
Home to 67 employees, MITRE's site in Tampa, Fla., is located near MacDill AFB. The site's primary sponsors are the U.S. Central Command and the U.S. Special Operations Command. |
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Lee has also organized a tactical communications Technology Exchange Meeting (TEM) in past years. The TEM brought together staff from across the corporation to collaborate and share information regarding tactical communications requirements, programs, and technologies.
He adds, "I think probably the most challenging aspect of my job is trying to anticipate future needs so that I can budget for and implement new capabilities when they are needed. Our customer's battle rhythm is extremely fast and our work program and staff move just as fast. Ensuring that they have the technical and facility resources they need, when they need them, often calls for creative thinking."
In addition, Lee has been a part of the site's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) educational efforts in the community. "Last summer I helped MITRE's Bob Cherinka with our STEM outreach program," he says. "We had several high school and college interns here, and I really enjoyed getting to know these young people and working with them. They taught me something new every day."
The site also has a long history of working with the University of South Florida to hire co-ops and then transition them to full-time technical staff. "Last year we also established a relationship with Kettering University," says Lee. "In the Kettering program, students will rotate three-month academic terms with three-month co-op terms at MITRE."
Life in Tampa
When he's not working, Lee enjoys life in central Florida. "My wife and I are huge Disney fans and try to get over there at least once a month. Disney is famous for combining innovation and creativity with hard science and engineering, and several of us at the site study their techniques."
The temperate Florida climate has led Lee to a new hobby. "Since we moved back to Tampa, my wife and I have both gotten into triathlons. Triathlons are huge in central Florida. The weather is such that you can race almost any weekend during a very long season. This year, there are several people at the site who want to complete a triathlon, so we're training for it and will race together this summer."
—by Kay M. Upham
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