ASSISTANT MANAGER-R&D - MANAGER-R&D - Mechanical Systems Engineering Manager at Southwest Research Institute

Who We Are:

The Mechanical Systems Section in the Strategic Aerospace Department provides electromechanical engineering support for several US Air Force Global Strike Command and Department of Defense programs. We are a multidisciplinary team of engineers that enjoy supporting the warfighter. We provide engineering services to projects involving the design, development and maintenance of hardware and software systems for the strategic aerospace community, including aircraft and ground support equipment ranging from microcircuits to major subsystems.

Objectives of this Role:

• Provide leadership of a technical section with responsibility for meeting staff utilization, technical and business objectives.
• Establishes strategic objectives and technical vision for program growth, expansion of business, staff development and client cultivation.
• Proactively communicating with project managers, in order to understand project objectives, milestones and risks, in order to ensure appropriate staffing and functional homeroom support.
• Provide engineering support to technology development initiatives for avionics modernization and sustainment programs.
• Maintaining familiarity with applicable design processes, guidelines and best practices, and ensuring consistent utilization by all Mechanical Engineer members.
• Developing engineering labor and material cost estimates.
• Leads marketing for a technical section to win sufficient programs to sustain and grow the technical section.

Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:

• Plan, organize, lead, and coordinate the technical and administrative activities.
• Manage and direct all aspects of engineering and manufacturing process development.
• Provide technical oversight, manage the execution of research, development, fabrication, test and support projects for U.S. Government clients.
• Experience in modernization and sustainment programs including system engineering and project management functions.
• Promote new business efforts with a variety of U.S. Government clients including giving technical presentations, leading and preparing proposals, budgetary estimates, RFI responses, and technical white papers.
• Perform hardware and system engineering functions that include design, development, test and support.
• Minimum travel of one (1) to two (2) weeks per month to U.S. locations will be required to support client project and marketing meetings.

Requirements:

• Requires a Bachelors, Masters or a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering or other degree fields may be considered with relevant Air Force Embedded Avionics Project Management engineering experience.
• Solidworks certifications are preferred.
• 5+ years: Must have experience in the defense industry with evidence of ability and recognition for leading others and administering to their technical and professional needs. Experience in leading and preparing successful technical proposals (>$3M), budgetary estimates, and RFIs.
• 10 years: Demonstrated success leading, collaborating, and building teams on complex electromechanical projects. Experience with concept definition, design and development, integration & test, and production of ruggedized electronic equipment.
• 10 years: Experience in development of avionics modernization & sustainment technical programs with a demonstrated success promoting work (>$3M), working with clients, and managing an engineering business unit. Must have excellent verbal, written and interpersonal communication skill.
• 3 years: Experience in performing as System or Hardware Lead on a large (>$3M) Air Force Embedded Avionics modernization or sustainment program.
• A valid/clear driver's license is required.