Rudy W Payne Jr
Huntsville
Summary
Retired military veteran with a focus on mission-centered IT solutions, fostering a collaborative work environment through innovative ideas from team members. Recognized for meticulous attention to detail and maintaining confidentiality with sensitive information. Open to travel or telework opportunities, holding an active top secret clearance.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
PACAF Field Service Engineering Lead
Science Applications International Corporation, Inc.
Huntsville
10.2025 - Current
- Oversees PACAF sites to sustain and maintain fielded C-sUAS systems, hardware, and software.
- Ensured 24/7 mission-critical system readiness by monitoring and maintaining integrated devices such as Medusa C2 workstations, servers, and sensors including Q-50 Radar, NightHawk Cameras, EW Duke V5 Block 1B, WISP, and Ninja EW systems.
- Provided technical and field engineering support at designated locations, managing installation, operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of systems, including program-of-record software, integrated radios, hardware, and peripheral devices.
- Performs fault isolation, system diagnostics, and repairs to the Line Replaceable Unit (LRU) level, escalating higher-level issues as needed.
- Performs root cause analysis and fixes, such as reinstalling software, replacing hardware, and applying approved patches.
- Manages the Return Material Authorization (RMA) process for defective equipment to higher-level facilities like the SAIC AF C-sUAS Regional Support Center in Huntsville, Alabama.
- Prepares systems for operation, loads software, trains operators, and completes readiness checks.
Field Service Support Engineer
Science Applications International Corporation, Inc.
Huntsville
01.2023 - 10.2025
- Performs duties in support of the Medusa Program that provides complex system communications between Server/Operator Station (C2) and Military Sensor/Weapon Systems.
- Provide Tier I technical support to remote customers in CONUS and OCONUS locations, using training provided by the MEDUSA and OEM Training teams, documents provided and a Digital Playbook to capture common failures and solutions.
- Coordinated resolution of trouble tickets and work orders with team members, ensuring timely and effective support.
- Maintained and updated CPMT Trouble Ticket Software and COLTS Inventory/Status Software, documenting problem-solving efforts for future reference.
- Escalated unresolved work orders to higher tier support and reported recurring issues to management for further analysis.
- Account administration, distribution of software and documentation, system and network status, problem management and root cause analysis processes.
- Rotating on-call responsibilities in support of 24/7 Help Desk.
- Acted as the program's Cybersecurity specialist, performing MS Server updates, patches, STIGs, COLTS updates, and administrative duties.
Information Technology Chief
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command
Huntsville
09.2019 - 10.2022
- Led communications team for Commanding General. Planned, configured, deployed, and maintained office, mobile, and residence communications. Accounted for critical executive IT assets and associated Communications Security (COMSEC) material valued over $100K - with zero loss or damage.
- Modernized office technology for Commanding General and staff, including voice, data systems, and mobile devices to improve operational efficiency.
- Migrated Office 365 Suite and programs for 900+ users, facilitating improved collaboration and communication.
- Organized IT and communications support for Commanding General during Space and Missile Defense Symposium.
- Enhanced IT knowledge and future technology awareness across organization by 98%.
Instructor/ Help Desk Information Assurance Network Officer
Signal School, United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence
Augusta
04.2018 - 09.2019
- Delivered technical training to over 1,620 Advanced Individual Training, international, and reclassification Soldiers, enhancing their operational readiness.
- Created and executed Foundational Training, Version 2, Train the Trainer program, achieving full training for all instructors.
- Registered students for AKO, Skillport, ATCTS, and CISCO Netacad platforms, facilitating their professional development.
- Managed computer and related equipment valued over $950K. Oversaw 30 classrooms.
Communications Security (COMSEC) Custodian
Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-B), U.S. Southern Command
Soto Cano Air Base
04.2017 - 04.2018
- Accounted for COMSEC equipment and keying material valued at $2M.
- Managed communications equipment worth over $471K during Operation Clean Sweep.
- Led the overhaul of all Network Encryption equipment assigned to JTF-B that realigned $155K of cryptographic devices.
- Procured encryption for inflatable satellite antenna system, elevating expeditionary data transfer rate by 976%, significantly improving communication capabilities.
- Supervised joint operations for facility security and prepared emergency evacuation and destruction plans, enhancing overall facility safety and readiness.
- Oversaw phased removal of $19,200 in classified excess equipment, ensuring compliance with security protocols.
- Evaluated processes and procedures, resulting in a 99% success rate on inspections.
- Led T2C2 system configuration and deployment - increased situational awareness for all operational missions.
- Headed Windows 10 operating system upgrade within the organization.
Hardware Branch Chief / Senior Instructor & Writer
Signal School, United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence
Augusta
09.2016 - 04.2017
- Delivered technical training to 1,700+ Soldiers in Advanced Individual Training, international assignments, and reclassification, enhancing their operational readiness.
- Developed and implemented Hardware Branch Instructor Training Program, boosting branch capabilities by 40% and elevating instructional quality.
- Validated technical proficiency that allowed 248 out of 260 Soldiers to receive first-time go on all examinations - 95% success rate. Built branch certification program that helped 6 Soldiers to receive industry certifications.
- Excelled as Hardware Branch Supervisor - 99% branch completion rate, highest in ITD.
- Motivated instructors to excel. Overall pass rate: 98% - highest branch rate in ITD.
- Instituted targeted training plans, maximizing overall effectiveness and elevating performance metrics by 50%.
- Employed tiger team to design and develop hands-on exam, which brought curriculum in line with current industry standards. Managed computer and related equipment valued at $1.5M.
Education
Associate's degree - Computer Studies
University of Maryland Global Campus
Adelphi, MD08-2024
Certificate - Commercial Wiring
Augusta Technical College
Augusta, GA05-2019
Skills
- Field service engineering
- Field service support
- Unmanned systems
- System integration
- System diagnostics
- Technical troubleshooting
- Hardware troubleshooting
- Network security
- Root cause analysis
Certification
- CompTIA A Plus CE, 2012
- CompTIA Network Plus CE, 2012
- CompTIA Security Plus CE, 2012
- ITIL v3 2012
Job Related Training
- Medusa Administrator Course: 2023
- Medusa Maintainer/Operator Course: 2023
- SANS SEC573 GIAC Python Coder (GPYC): 2019
- SANS SEC504 GIAC Certified Incident Handler (GCIH): 2019
- SANS SEC503 GIAC Certified Intrusion Analyst (GCIA): 2019
- SANS SEC501 GIAC Certified Enterprise Defender (GCED): 2019
- SANS SEC401 GIAC Security Essentials (GSEC): 2019
- Cisco Networking Academy Instructor Accreditation: 2017
- Physical Security Officer: 2015
- Local COMSEC Management Software: 2015
- Communications Security Account Managers: 2015
- SNORT: 2011
- Cisco CCNA & CCNA Security: 2011
- SNAP VSAT: 2009
- Information Assurance Fundamentals: 2008
Timeline
PACAF Field Service Engineering Lead
Science Applications International Corporation, Inc.
10.2025 - Current
Field Service Support Engineer
Science Applications International Corporation, Inc.
01.2023 - 10.2025
Information Technology Chief
U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command
09.2019 - 10.2022
Instructor/ Help Desk Information Assurance Network Officer
Signal School, United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence
04.2018 - 09.2019
Communications Security (COMSEC) Custodian
Joint Task Force-Bravo (JTF-B), U.S. Southern Command
04.2017 - 04.2018
Hardware Branch Chief / Senior Instructor & Writer
Signal School, United States Army Cyber Center of Excellence
09.2016 - 04.2017
Associate's degree - Computer Studies
University of Maryland Global Campus
Certificate - Commercial Wiring
Augusta Technical College