Technical Director

ABOUT OUR MISSION:

Join the forefront of innovation and make an impact at Safran Defense & Space, Inc.!

Safran Defense & Space Inc. (Safran DSI), headquartered in Arlington, Va., is a leading U.S. aerospace company dedicated to supporting national defense and space missions. As a trusted partner to the U.S. armed forces, government agencies, and commercial sectors, Safran DSI delivers advanced technology solutions through its specialized business units: Assured PNT, Geospatial AI, Optronics, Space Solutions, and Testing & Telemetry.

Headquartered in Bedford, NH, Safran DSI Optronics (formerly Optics 1) is a global leader in full-service design and production of electro-optic and navigation systems. Leveraging core competencies in defense technologies, Optronics provides unmatched, first-class mission solutions for military and law enforcement personnel.

We have a high-paced, high-energy environment focused on acknowledging individual and team successes, as well as overall growth. Optronics is a community that cares about the mission of our customers. Our team believes in supporting and enriching our community through engagement; whether that means giving back to our troops, veterans and their families, investing in next generation innovators through STEM education, or higher education initiatives, giving back is an important part of who we are as a team.

If you’re ready to join our mission and serve those who serve, Safran DSI is the perfect place for you to take your career to the next level. Make a real difference and be part of something extraordinary. Apply now and help us build the future of defense and space.

 POSITION PROFILE:

The Technical Director, Strategy and Capture is responsible for developing and coordinating the execution of product and technology roadmaps within their business area. Customer-facing aspects of this role are coordinated with the Business Development team while internal execution aspects are coordinated with the Program Management, Engineering and Operations groups. Internal efforts may also include collaboration across Safran affiliate companies, as required. The Technical Director defines key actions required to realize long-term company growth objectives, regularly communicating to stakeholders. The Technical Director identifies and coordinates the development of supporting technologies, providing discriminators and addressing identified gaps. Technology development duties include the capture of customer-funded and initiation of internally funded developments.

Specific areas of responsibility for the Technical Director, include:

Strategy related to active targeting electro-optical systems. Active Targeting systems include the handheld observation and targeting portfolio plus the active laser portfolio for mounted and dismounted applications. In addition, the Technical Director will support the Strategy and Capture team in development of strategy in the Visual Augmentation Systems and Platform Systems portfolios.

The Technical Director, Strategy and Capture is responsible for identifying and pursuing sources of information to define 5-year product and technology roadmaps. Roadmaps include timelines, key award events and estimated revenue potential for each product type. Roadmaps also identify key technology gaps and investments to be addressed in order to realize potential captures

RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions including, but not limited to:

• Define and refine product roadmaps for particular business area
• Engage with customers to develop near and long-term capture goals
• Serve as a technical interface between customers and the company. Influence customer requirements and expectations, particularly related to technical product development.
• Serve as a mentor, leadership example and inspire technical team cohesiveness and collaboration
• Communicate strategy and context for development efforts within Safran DSI
• Lead initial architecture definition and technical trades as development programs are established.
• Identify technical gaps and propose solutions (R&D, partnerships, CTO support etc.)
• Identify, communicate, promote consensus and pursue novel technologies that are key to the development of future products
• Coordinate across functions in order to define the Safran DSI Independent Research and Development (IRAD) roadmap, consolidated and tracked by the VP of Research and Technology.
• The S&C function in responsible for the strategic budgeting and allocation of IRAD funds. Technical directors review, approve, and guide the generation of project scope documentation such that IRAD efforts are efficiently and broadly aligned with strategic roadmaps across all business areas. Technical directors are expected to over-see the set of IRADs most closely related to their business areas (or technical expertise) and work with project execution leads (consisting of a cognizant PM and engineering lead) to monitor performance against technical and financial milestones. The TD acts as an internal customer, key stakeholder, and advisor for IRAD efforts, and is responsible for ensuring that any emergent needs to alter scope, schedule, or prioritization are communicated to the teams and accurately reflected in the execution plans. The TD may act as a technical lead when/if required.
• Capture External Research and Development funding (ERAD) aligned with development roadmaps.
• Identify ERAD budgets and expectations, informing the Engineering Directors, VP of Programs and CFO.
• The TD is responsible for ensuring technical solutions for ERAD pursuits are aligned with customer needs and strategic initiatives that impact architectural choices. The TD is expected to over-see and directly contribute to capture efforts within their business area (or area of technical expertise) during the initial concept definition. TDs are expected to guide or review architectural studies, promote inclusion of engineering early in the capture process, assist in project execution planning, and work to ensure a smooth transition from proposal to execution.
• Promote early involvement of engineering staff in development of technologies and products
• As a member of development teams, influence system architectures, trades and solutions, ensuring development team consensus and ownership.
• Provide technical oversight and guidance, ensuring alignment with customer needs.
• Independently write and lead whitepapers and contribute to technical sections of proposals. Analyze requirements and provide technical input to the Proposal Lead/Manager. Ensure alignment with internal stakeholders.

WHAT YOU’LL NEED TO BE SUCCESSFUL:

• Minimum of fifteen (15) years of technical experience in an electro-optic development field such as lasers, optics, and/or imaging systems.
• Proven ability to design and/or model systems in their field(s) of expertise (e.g. signal processing, camera systems, vibration and thermal management, environmental hardening for MIL-STD 810 compliance, systems engineering)
• Product development experience, from concept to production
• Demonstrated ability to organize development efforts, prioritize goals and set direction for a development team.
• Experience contributing to bid and proposal / business capture efforts
• Ability to independently write technical whitepapers
• Due to the need for a US Secret Clearance, must be a US Citizen

IDEALLY, YOU’LL ALSO HAVE:

• Experience working in a multi-national, multi customer environment
• Experience with and demonstrated understanding of electro-optical system design and production
• Experience in DoD-type acquisition and contracting. International experience a plus
• Basic understanding of ITAR regulations and import/export regulations a plus
• Experience with USG or DoD customer base

EDUCATION:  

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Math, Physics or related discipline.
• Master’s degree in a related field is a plus

TRAVEL: Up to 40% Travel to other Safran facilities, tradeshows and customers in the United States in addition to some international travel.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.

EEO STATEMENT & ACCESSIBILITY: 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role. 

EOE/AA/M/F/Vets – US Protected Individual status required (US citizen, lawful permanent resident, asylee, refugee or temporary resident (as defined at 8 USC 1160(a).