Distinguished sUAS Program Manager

University of Dayton • Dayton, OH

2d

About The Position

UDRI is initiating a new, high visibility effort focused on the integration of EW and other mission payloads onto small Unmanned Aircraft Systems (sUAS) platforms. The effort is at a very early stage and is expected to evolve significantly as requirements mature. The Distinguished sUAS Program Manager will be responsible for shaping the project direction, defining the technical and programmatic roadmap, identifying and evaluating contributors, and driving the execution of internal and external integration and test activities. The role requires a high-performing, proactive, strategic, and technically credible leader who can operate with minimal direction, manage diverse resources, and ensure successful coordination with government sponsors, payload vendors, UAS manufacturers, and internal engineering teams.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in technical field related to sUAS technology
• 13 years of relevant experience
• Experience with sUAS systems, mission payloads, avionics, or related aerospace/defense integration environments
• Familiar with EW concepts including spoofing, jamming, and non-traditional EW
• Experience in technical domains relevant to sUAS payloads including: Electronic Warfare (EW), Artificial Intelligence / Machine Learning, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance (ISR), Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN)
• Ability to operate independently with minimal guidance, especially with ambiguous, evolving program requirements
• Strong communication skills with demonstrated ability to interface effectively with government and industry senior leaders
• Active Secret security clearance
• Must be a U.S. citizen

Nice To Haves

• Familiarity with EW payloads or multi-payload integration environments
• Demonstrated success planning and executing complex integration and test activities
• Experience managing subcontractors, external vendors, and third-party service providers to deliver projects on time and within scope
• Hands-on integration and test experience including hardware and software integration
• Experience with government program execution, incremental funding models, and NTE contract structures
• Prior experience as Principal Investigator (PI) or Program Manager (PM) within a research or applied engineering organization
• Active Top Secret security clearance

Responsibilities

• Shaping the project direction
• Defining the technical and programmatic roadmap
• Identifying and evaluating contributors
• Driving the execution of internal and external integration and test activities
• Managing diverse resources
• Ensuring successful coordination with government sponsors, payload vendors, UAS manufacturers, and internal engineering teams
• Managing cost, schedule, and performance across multiple efforts
• Balancing technical leadership with programmatic oversight

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree