Distinguished sUAS Program Manager

University of Dayton, Ohio•Dayton, OH

13h

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)
Experience managing cost, schedule, and performance across multiple efforts
Ability to operate independently with minimal guidance, especially with ambiguous, evolving program requirements
Ability to balance technical leadership with programmatic oversight
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
Operating with minimal direction
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
Interfacing effectively with government and industry senior leaders