Sensing Technologies Product Line Director

Job Description

FAST Labs™ is a world-class research and microelectronics production organization. Our vision, we secure the future through fearless innovation, fuels our curiosity, and propels our teams to take on ‘never been done before’ challenges. We believe how we work is just as important as what we work on, and we are guided by three key principles: We are one team who embraces the power of learning and collaboration; We innovate for impact; and Our innovation is multidimensional.

Sitting at the heart of BAE Systems Electronic Systems (ES), FAST Labs defines the next generation of technology across ES’s defense and commercial portfolios. We seek to turn groundbreaking research into real-life impact for our customers, as we develop advanced capabilities in advanced electronics, sensors and processing, AI, autonomy, RF, EO/IR, cyber, and more. We value internal and external partnerships and collaborate across a broad innovation ecosystem that includes DoD/IC/OGA labs and research teams, universities, small businesses and venture firms/accelerators – all in service of developing advanced technologies to enable our nation’s warfighting mission needs.

FAST Labs stays strongly aligned with the advanced technology needs of our business area product portfolios. It is our role to capture and execute research & development programs that deliver advanced technologies and capabilities for our customers, both external and internal, against the most important operational problems and business opportunities. Transitioning our technologies and capabilities into ES products or adjacencies is a prime objective for our team as we seek to use our innovation to drive impact for our customers.

The Sensor Technology (ST) Product Line Director (PLD) will lead the strategy, cross-functional team performance, and culture for the Senor Technology product line. The ST product line is focused on innovating breakthrough hardware centric RF, EO/IR, and multi-modal sensors and systems, inclusive of innovating the foundational components that enable breakthrough sensor/system performance. Their high performance, inclusive culture has demonstrated high win, capture, and execution performance with this principled approach and have an enviable cutting-edge technology portfolio, solving some of the toughest warfighter mission challenges.

The main responsibility of the ST Product Line Director role is to lead this ST strategic portfolio within the FAST Labs Business Area in the BAE Systems Electronic Systems Sector, reporting directly to the Vice President/General Manager of FAST Labs.

The successful candidate will be responsible for leading a very talented cross-functional ST workforce to achieve business success via strategy development and portfolio execution. The ST Product Line is accountable to capture or identify, create and deliver discriminating technology and effective customer relations, both external and internal to BAE Systems. The PLD will take an active role in the development of new business opportunities in technology creation, maturation, and product transition related to ST technologies and capabilities. The ST PLD will also have financial planning and optimization responsibilities in a very dynamic environment spanning locations in Merrimack, NH, and Austin, TX.

Specific job responsibilities include the following

• Lead ST with a drive and focus on maintaining and enhancing its strong culture and values.
• Lead the ST organization to develop and accomplish the Product Line mission and strategy.
• Support development and implementation within ST of the FAST Labs mission campaigning strategy to align research and products with most critical operational needs and business opportunities.
• Provide leadership oversight and active engagement in the development and pursuit of business opportunities aligned with the ST Product Line capabilities.
• Provide leadership oversight and active engagement in the preparation of technical, management and cost proposals.
• Make bid decisions per the FAST Labs delegated authorities and allocate bid and proposal funds across ST technical areas.
• Maintain cognizance of corporate capabilities and technology state relevant to ST across the S&T market.
• Ensure all programs led by the group are executed in accordance with BAE Life Cycle Management Policies.
• Proactively engage with BAE Systems Business Areas and ES functions to facilitate transition of ST technology to BAE Systems products. Build relationships with Business Area technical and management staff to facilitate technology transition and collaboration. This includes early engagement on major R&D pursuits, coordinating blended teams for execution of R&D projects, and coordinating roadmaps and investments to facilitate transition of technology for Business Area leverage
• Work with the ST leadership team to actively manage the most valuable resource we have within the organization: our human capital, to include activities related to recruiting top talent, employee development, employee sponsorship/mentorship, employee engagement and succession planning within the group.
• Engage as a key member of the FAST Labs Leadership Team

This role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format, with time split between working onsite across our ES geographies and remotely as needed. This role will be based in Merrimack, NH.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills

• Bachelor's Degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer science, operations research, mathematics or physics with 15 + years of technical and management experience in Research and Development for the Defense and/or Intelligence markets
• Active DoW Top Secret clearance
• Eligible for SCI and SAP.
• Proven ability to lead a diverse organization across multiple geographic business sites
• Proven capability to lead a large organization through complex culture change
• Strong Business Acumen and presence at the leadership level
• Business and technical leadership, management, and decision making in technology development efforts
• Strong Problem Solving: Requires employment of conceptual and innovative thinking
• Ability to think strategically and formulate strategic vision, strategies, and implement actions to achieve goals in a changing environment
• Strong customer focus and demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships with highly technical, complex customers
• Highly tuned Interpersonal Skills: Skilled communicator who influences and shapes the behavior and performance of a complex Business Unit/Sector
• Strong Negotiation Skills: Negotiates internally and externally at high levels or with persons of influence frequently
• Ability to communicate at all levels within the customer community and the corporate community
• Business development mindset with in-depth experience in the development of growth strategies
• Proven ability to share and transfer technology and know-how across organizational boundaries
• Domain expertise in one or more of the following areas: RF Electronic Warfare, Optical Electronic Warfare, Advanced Processing Architectures, Multi-Modal Sensing and Response
• Competent in talent management and development, performance management, mentoring, coaching, and team communications.
• Ability to achieve results through others. Demonstrated ability to develop leaders in an organization. Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills
• Ph.D. degree with 11+ years of experience or Master's degree with 13+ years of experience in technical and management experience in Research and Development for the Defense and/or Intelligence markets
• Experience operating within ES (or similar) business areas, involved in technology transition planning and technology insertion into BA product roadmaps
• Experience with, and understanding of, functional matrix organizations
• Proven breadth of business leadership from technology seedling and maturation through product development; from conception through deployment
• Deep knowledge of key customer organizations and missions
• Active Top Secret and SCI clearance
• Passion to deliver Electronic Systems Defense and Commercial Missions: ‘We Protect Those Who Protect Us’ and ‘We Innovate For Those Who Move the World’

Pay Information Full-Time Salary Range: $200222 - $340378

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics. About BAE Systems Electronic Systems BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you’ll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference. Electronic Systems (ES) is the global innovator behind BAE Systems’ game-changing defense and commercial electronics. Exploiting every electron, we push the limits of what is possible, giving our customers the edge and our employees opportunities to change the world. Our products and capabilities can be found everywhere – from the depths of the ocean to the far reaches of space. At our core are more than 14,000 highly talented Electronic Systems employees with the brightest minds in the industry, we make an impact – for our customers and the communities we serve.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.