Director 3 – Senior Director of Systems Engineering

The Charles Stark Draper Laboratory•Cambridge, MA
•Onsite

About The Position

Draper is seeking a senior-level technical professional to lead a directorate of approximately 500 engineers working System Concept Development and Trades Analysis, System Architectures and Requirements, Software/Hardware-in-the-Loop Integration & Test, and Validation and Verification. A particular focus is incorporating Digital Engineering and Continuous Integration into the overall System Engineering development “Vee”. The Systems Engineering Director reports to the Vice President of Engineering and will have between 10-15 direct reports comprised of directors and lead engineers.

Requirements

  • Strong program and people management skills.
  • Knowledge and expertise in technologies aligned to the business.
  • Experience managing firm fixed price contracts - in comparable leadership positions with frequent customer interaction.
  • Self-starting, visionary team builder with demonstrated leadership qualities.
  • Established network of contacts & government acquisition process in the intelligence community and supporting industry.
  • Outstanding interpersonal, presentation and communication skills.
  • Excellent understanding of the impact / role of technology on operations in: communications, collection, data analytics and cyber security.
  • Requires a Master's Degree or higher in Engineering or other technical discipline or Business Administration with a demonstrated equivalent technical background.
  • Requires 15+ years management experience within Engineering and familiarity with DoD program execution.
  • The ideal candidate will have a relevant degree in science or engineering with at least fifteen years of leadership experience in the application of technology to the solution of complex engineering problems.
  • The qualified candidate must be a performance driven self-starter and have demonstrated consistently outstanding performance in his/her career, including experience achieving results through proven use of other leaders.
  • Applicants selected for this position will be required to obtain and maintain a U.S. Security Clearance.

Nice To Haves

  • Flexibility for frequent travel 30%.

Responsibilities

  • Provide the vision and strategy to develop and maintain a high-performing organization.
  • Partner with Engineering leadership and program office teams to ensure engineering and business objectives are achieved.
  • Attract and retain high-potential employees to support the business; resolve resource / staffing issues.
  • Identify and develop critical skills required to meet business objectives.
  • Meet financial objectives (indirect expenses and labor utilization).
  • Foster an atmosphere of collaboration that allows all team members to be empowered to innovate.
  • Develop strategies for improving and optimizing organizational performance.
  • Develop break-out opportunities and required corporate investments to secure them, develop capture plans, proposal strategies and teaming relationships in pursuit of new business.
  • Develop and maintain measures related to performance, quality and affordability of Engineering solutions and lead adoption and continuous improvement activities.
  • Establish goals and standards of performance, create budgets, staffing plans, and short and long-term strategic roadmaps/plans.
  • Understand industry trends and best practices to ensure Draper develops and maintains the capabilities required to provide technical discriminators.

Benefits

  • workplace flexibility
  • employee clubs ranging from photography to yoga
  • health and finance workshops
  • off site social events
  • discounts to local museums and cultural activities
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