Director of Engineering

FosterThomas•Annapolis, MD

About The Position

The Director of Engineering manages and leads ASRI’s spectrum engineering and regulatory functions on behalf of the U.S. aviation industry. The role develops and presents technical and regulatory material in multi-stakeholder forums, including analysis of radio-frequency interactions between aeronautical communications, navigation, and surveillance systems and external interference sources. As part of a small company, the position encompasses a variety of dynamic functions and may require time and training to become proficient across them. The Director leads an engineering section of one or two employees and potentially contractors, setting strategic direction, supporting the team, and managing personnel performance. The role develops aviation spectrum positions and studies for ICAO and ITU meetings; represents ASRI in high-level international and regulatory discussions; chairs multinational panels and drafting groups; and leads technical and procedural filings, industry coordination, and participation in relevant standards groups and federal advisory boards. It also ensures spectrum considerations are addressed in new aviation system designs. The position supports ASRI’s VHF and HF frequency assignment processes, performs the Executive Secretary role for the U.S. Aeronautical Frequency Committee, and organizes three two-day meetings each year at various North American locations. Additional duties include managing the corporate IT support contract and advising the ASRI President on technical issues related to corporate administration. Regular international travel is expected and may total 10–20 weeks per year, depending on the candidate’s progression and meeting schedules. Meetings are commonly two weeks long and may last four weeks or more for major conferences. The role requires eligibility for full membership on accredited U.S. delegations to the ITU, CITEL, and ICAO. Relocation is not provided.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering subject with an RF component.
At least 15 years of professional experience in RF engineering.
Experience chairing or leading technical meetings and conferences.
Experience with aviation-industry RF systems and their usage.
Experience in inter-organization coordination and leadership.
Sound understanding of communications theory and how different signal types interact in the RF environment.
Ability to identify underlying causes and intent at a strategic level and develop and implement plans aligned with ASRI’s goals.
Ability to write concise, accurate technical analyses and summary reports for varied audiences, including high-level briefings.
Ability to present and debate technical positions with large, diverse groups of experienced professionals and explain engineering principles to non-engineers.
Diplomatic and sociable approach when interacting with international delegates and companies.
Comfort with regular independent travel to overseas locations and eligibility to obtain travel visas for the majority of UN countries.
Eligibility to become a full member of accredited U.S. delegations to the ITU, CITEL, and ICAO under section 7.1 of the U.S. International Telecommunication Advisory Committee General Guidance Document.
Willingness to take on new roles as part of a small company.

Nice To Haves

Master of Science degree in an RF engineering subject.
Experience chairing large international technical working groups with diverse and sometimes contradictory viewpoints.
Experience coordinating conferences.

Responsibilities

Lead the ASRI Engineering section of one or two employees and possible contractors, providing direction and support.
Set strategic direction and initiatives for the engineering team’s work.
Conduct technical and regulatory analysis of RF interactions between aviation systems and other RF systems.
Manage personnel, including conducting performance reviews.
Develop positions and studies for UN meetings (ICAO and ITU) concerning aviation spectrum and related issues affecting U.S. aviation.
Represent the company at high-level meetings with regulators, industries, and nationalities to develop consensus on technical and policy positions.
Advocate industry positions where there are shared interests.
Chair multinational UN panels and drafting groups on technical and policy topics.
Participate in federal regulators’ public spectrum proceedings by preparing technical studies and positions.
Coordinate and lead aviation-industry positions submitted to relevant federal agencies.
Lead the development of technical and procedural filings to federal agencies in public and non-public proceedings.
Participate in relevant federal advisory boards and provide expertise.
Participate in relevant aviation standards-development groups and hold leadership positions on standards committees.
Ensure appropriate spectrum considerations are included in new aviation system designs.
Provide engineering support for ASRI’s VHF and HF frequency assignment processes, including advising the operations team on frequency-assignment engineering processes.
Serve as Executive Secretary for the U.S. Aeronautical Frequency Committee.
Organize, manage, and coordinate three two-day meetings each year at various North American locations.
Manage the contract for corporate IT support.
Support and advise the ASRI President on technical issues related to corporate administration.
Travel regularly to overseas locations for meetings and conferences.