What is the Technical Leadership Program?
At SMS, technical excellence isn’t just a goal, it’s our standard. The Technical Leadership Program (TLP) demonstrates this commitment by identifying, developing, and rewarding the technical subject matter experts and leaders who drive innovation across our organization.
Now in its fourth year, the TLP is SMS’ flagship initiative designed to recognize and develop technical leaders whose contributions extend far beyond their day-to-day responsibilities. This structured program creates a collaborative environment where our brightest technical minds can share knowledge, explore emerging technologies, and develop solutions that benefit both SMS and our customers. We are excited to share the details of the program.
Three Tracks for Every Career Stage
The TLP operates through three distinct tracks:
- Technical Leadership Directorate (TLD): Senior technical directors who guide the program and provide mentorship
- TLP Thought Leaders: Selected through an application process, these participants engage in intensive collaboration, training, and content creation
- Tech Club: An open community for all employees interested in technical discussions and knowledge sharing
Investing in Our Thought Leaders
We invest in TLP Thought Leaders’ extra effort with performance‑based recognition through the Technologist Incentivization Plan (TIP). Eligible participants receive year-end financial bonuses of 5% of their current salary, with additional increases based on years of tenure at SMS. Bonuses are directly tied to clearly defined goals such as high-quality technical content, cross-contract collaboration, and business development support. These incentives reflect our belief that meaningful contributions should be celebrated and rewarded.
How the TLP Delivers Value to SMS
Cross-Contract Collaboration
One of TLP’s greatest strengths is breaking down silos between different contracts and teams. As one participant noted: “TLP definitely excels at exposing me to different perspectives and technologies that I wouldn’t naturally come across on my own.” This cross-pollination of ideas leads to innovative solutions that can be applied across multiple customer environments.
Business Development and Customer Solutions
The program directly supports business development through:
- Content Creation: TLP participants produce technical blogs, white papers, and presentations that showcase SMS’ expertise
- Thought Leadership: External-facing content that positions SMS as a technology leader
- Solution Development: Collaborative problem-solving that addresses real customer challenges
Professional Development and Retention
The TLP provides career advancement opportunities through:
- Direct mentorship from senior technical leadership
- Access to advanced training to foster skill development
- Pathways to technical leadership roles within SMS
Our Content Creation Success
The TLP has become a content creation powerhouse for SMS. Our participants have produced:
Published Blogs on SMS’ Website
Technical deep dives covering cutting-edge topics:
- Cloud Infrastructure: AWS EKS best practices, Infrastructure as Code, and multi-account strategies
- Emerging Technologies: AI/ML applications, Kubernetes extensions, and automation tools
- Security Solutions: Multi-factor authentication alternatives, zero-trust architectures, and compliance frameworks
- Customer Success Stories: Real-world implementations and lessons learned
Technical Presentations
TLP presentations span the full spectrum of modern technology challenges, from foundational concepts like blockchain and Risk Management Framework (RMF) to cutting-edge topics like AI-powered custom solutions and containerized development environments. Recent presentations have covered cloud infrastructure management (AWS Transit Gateway, Azure Arc), security automation (Illumio, STIG compliance), and development best practices (Kubernetes backup strategies, Infrastructure as Code alternatives). These sessions ensure our teams stay current with the latest technical trends while building practical expertise that directly benefits our customer engagements.
Measurable Impact and Success
The program’s success is evident in both participation and outcomes:
- 25 members for the 2025 program, demonstrating strong internal interest
- 20+ blogs published to SMS’ Website in the past year
- 600+ hours of training completed by participants
- 82% goal completion rate across all participants
Innovation at the Heart of TLP
Participants consistently highlight how the program serves as an incubator for forward-thinking solutions. Through weekly whiteboard sessions and monthly all-hands meetings, TLP members collaborate on emerging technologies and customer challenges. As one participant noted: “By fostering an environment where engineers from different contracts can collaborate, the entire company wins.”
Looking Forward
As we continue to evolve the TLP, our focus remains on:
- Enhancing Collaboration: Developing new platforms for cross-contract knowledge sharing
- Expanding Internal Visibility: Increasing internal awareness and participation across all programs
- Strengthening Business Development: Aligning TLP activities with upcoming opportunities and customer needs
Join the TLP Community
Whether you’re an aspiring technical leader or a seasoned expert, the TLP offers opportunities for growth, recognition, and impact. Applications for the 2026 program will open in December 2025, but the Tech Club is always open to all SMS employees. If you are interested in applying for the 2026 program, in joining the Tech Club or have any questions please email me at [email protected].