Director of Autonomy, Unmanned Aircraft Systems

TSC • Arlington, VA

45d • Remote

About The Position

TSC is seeking a remote Director of Autonomy in Sierra Vista, AZ, Arlington, VA, or other possible on-site locations, to serve as the singular focal point for systems automation across all UAS Products and Service Solutions. This position is crucial to the success of the Product line’s performance in the following areas: strategic, operational, tactical and financial. As a key leader in the Airborne ISR Division, this position is crucial to the overall return on investment for TSC’s commitment to technological research and development for the AISR domain. This position will work closely with the Product Technical Leads, Program Managers, Operational End-Users, Business Developers, Operations Managers, and the Division Manager to maximize technology transfer to the market through continuous iterations of development, test, fielding, customer engagement, and sustainment of solutions. Travel up to 50% annually, is required. Anticipated day-to-day responsibilities to include: Serving as the lead singular focal point for automation across all UAS Products and Service offerings therefore required to translate information at both the technical level, and overall business use case, while leading and executing multiple parallel technological initiatives at any given time. Hiring, developing, supervising, managing and executing within a technical team focused on Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Automation spanning the entire system architecture for multiple Commercial Product Lines and Field Support: Onboard/Offboard Processing, Networked Data, Autopilots, User interfaces, Software, Firmware, Hardware, and more. Leads, manages or conducts various types of data analysis in support of time sensitive developmental or operational efforts, funneling documented results back into risk management and safety workflows for additional review, procedural or safety bulletins, product support and future technological development projects. Leads, manages, or supports the development, planning or execution for a variety of test related activities required for internal and customer driven projects, processes, or gate reviews. Key stakeholder cross functionally for the overall execution of experimental or learning experiences in the UAS HIL/SIL, commercial production, customer modification, ground and flight test. The ability to draft and submit required information to satisfy internal funding requests for IR&D funding. Supports the P&L’s sustainment and development of high-value business partnerships or relationships enabling innovations to fuel increased UAS Product & Service sales. Actively reinforces accountability for technological innovations, product quality, and service offerings.

Requirements

• BS degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Computer, Aerospace, Controls engineering or other relevant discipline, plus a minimum ten years of direct experience with UAS technology.
• US Citizenship and the ability to obtain and maintain a DoD Security Clearance.
• Demonstrated leadership experience and expressed desire to lead and manage technical efforts while also staying active in other general business growth related activities requested by the Division Manager.
• Experience with development and operation of new UAS technology with operational transfer to the market (beyond marketing demonstrations) with hands-on experience in software development in a relevant subject matter area: Aircraft Guidance Navigation & Control or other robotic system guidance, navigation and control; ground- or airborne mission systems; general aerospace flight control or cockpit avionics systems; ground stations; payload control.
• Technical experience to comprehend automation challenges or gaps, guide solutions-based collaborations and deliver efficient innovations which enhance overall performance when measured based on level of efficiency, safety, and automation.
• Development/operations of hardware-in-the-loop simulators, conducting testing and troubleshooting of HW/SW interfaces.
• Familiarity with software configuration management tools, version control systems, defect tracking tools, and workflows with peer review required.
• Ability to lead, manage, or individually execute required objectives for the P&Ls success.

Nice To Haves

• The ideal candidate has very diversified experience as a qualified UAS operator, UAS test engineer, UAS test director, UAS software developer/programmer, UAS autopilot developer, direct experience in UAS proposal/capture management and business development activities.
• Experience and ability to fuel positive morale within cross functional teams through servant leadership and accountability.
• Understanding of common pitfalls in organizational growth, or a scaling organization, which can be used to mitigate risks and guide teams.

Responsibilities

• Serving as the lead singular focal point for automation across all UAS Products and Service offerings therefore required to translate information at both the technical level, and overall business use case, while leading and executing multiple parallel technological initiatives at any given time.
• Hiring, developing, supervising, managing and executing within a technical team focused on Guidance, Navigation, and Controls Automation spanning the entire system architecture for multiple Commercial Product Lines and Field Support: Onboard/Offboard Processing, Networked Data, Autopilots, User interfaces, Software, Firmware, Hardware, and more.
• Leads, manages or conducts various types of data analysis in support of time sensitive developmental or operational efforts, funneling documented results back into risk management and safety workflows for additional review, procedural or safety bulletins, product support and future technological development projects.
• Leads, manages, or supports the development, planning or execution for a variety of test related activities required for internal and customer driven projects, processes, or gate reviews.
• Key stakeholder cross functionally for the overall execution of experimental or learning experiences in the UAS HIL/SIL, commercial production, customer modification, ground and flight test.
• The ability to draft and submit required information to satisfy internal funding requests for IR&D funding.
• Supports the P&L’s sustainment and development of high-value business partnerships or relationships enabling innovations to fuel increased UAS Product & Service sales.
• Actively reinforces accountability for technological innovations, product quality, and service offerings.

Benefits

• TSC offers a stable work environment, a competitive salary, and a comprehensive benefit package; including ESOP participation, 401k Plan, Flexible Work Schedules, Tuition Reimbursement, Co-Sponsored Health Plan, Paid Leave and much more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director
• Number of Employees: 251-500 employees