Assistant Director Counter-UAS AS6341

Oklahoma State University•Stillwater, OK

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Assistant Director, Counter-UAS Center of Excellence reports to the Director of Research and Engineering and provides operational and strategic leadership for the Center's research, development, testing, evaluation, workforce, and partnership activities. The role translates the Center's mission into coordinated priorities and executable plans that strengthen counter-unmanned aircraft systems capabilities and improve collaboration among universities, industry, military, federal, state, and public safety partners. Working with OAIRE executive leadership and designated technical and program leaders, the Assistant Director oversees day-to-day integration of Center activities, personnel, resources, schedules, deliverables, and stakeholder commitments. The position supports evaluation of emerging counter-UAS technologies; coordinates multidisciplinary work involving sensing, tracking, identification, command and control, and mitigation; and ensures activities are conducted safely, responsibly, and in accordance with university requirements, contractual obligations, applicable laws, and authorized testing conditions. The Assistant Director serves as a senior representative and escalation point for assigned Center matters, advises leadership on capability gaps, opportunities, risks, and resource needs, and helps build partnerships and workforce pipelines to advance the Center's long-term objectives. Travel may be required for testing, demonstrations, partner engagements, conferences, presentations, and other Center activities. The position is based at OSU-Stillwater, with a Monday-through-Friday schedule from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and occasional evenings and weekends. The appointment is regular and continuous until further notice, with a hiring range of $133,000–$172,000.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in engineering, aerospace, defense studies, program management, business, public administration, intelligence, or a related field; degree must be conferred by the agreed-upon start date.
Six years of progressively responsible experience leading complex technical, research, defense, aerospace, public safety, or government-related programs and multidisciplinary teams.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical and operational work across multiple organizations, disciplines, and stakeholder groups.
Strong knowledge of program execution, risk management, test and evaluation, resource planning, and performance reporting.
Excellent written, oral, presentation, and relationship-management skills, including communicating complex matters to executive, technical, operational, government, and public audiences.
Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism when handling sensitive, controlled, proprietary, or mission-related information.
Ability to obtain and maintain any security clearance, access authorization, training, license, or credential required for assigned work.
Additional post-secondary education beyond the stated requirements may substitute for years of required experience.

Nice To Haves

Advanced degree in a relevant field.
Experience with counter-UAS, air defense, unmanned aircraft systems, radar, radio-frequency systems, electronic warfare, sensor integration, command and control, or related technologies.
Experience supporting Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, federal, state, local, tribal, or public safety customers and partners.
Experience with technology demonstrations, field testing, operational assessments, government contracting, proposal development, or research administration.
Current or previously held security clearance, when relevant to the Center's work.

Responsibilities

Provide operational and strategic leadership for the Center's research, development, testing, evaluation, workforce, and partnership activities.
Translate the Center's mission into coordinated priorities and executable plans.
Oversee day-to-day integration of Center activities, personnel, resources, schedules, deliverables, and stakeholder commitments.
Support evaluation of emerging counter-UAS technologies.
Coordinate multidisciplinary work involving sensing, tracking, identification, command and control, and mitigation.
Ensure Center activities are conducted safely and responsibly, complying with university requirements, contractual obligations, applicable laws, and authorized testing conditions.
Serve as a senior representative and escalation point for assigned Center matters.
Advise leadership on capability gaps, opportunities, risks, and resource needs.
Help build partnerships and workforce pipelines that advance the Center's long-term objectives.
Travel as needed for testing, demonstrations, partner engagements, conferences, presentations, and other Center activities.