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MANAGER-R&D - Avionics-Electrical Engineering Manager

Southwest Research Institute
  • San Antonio, TX
    3 days ago

    Job Description

    Who We Are:

    The Strategic Aerospace Department within the Defense & Intelligence Solutions Division delivers cutting-edge engineering services to enhance the warfighter’s capabilities across bomber, tanker, and heavy aircraft platforms. We specialize in world-class research, design, and support, providing innovative solutions to modern challenges and legacy systems for the U.S. Air Force Global Strike Command, Department of Defense, allied nations, and the U.S. Government, ensuring mission readiness and technological superiority.

    Objectives of this Role:
    • Lead the Avionics Test Engineering to achieve technical excellence, staff utilization, financial performance, and business growth while developing strategic capabilities supporting verification and validation of mission-critical avionics systems.
    • Partner with Program Managers, SME Engineers, and customers to define verification strategies, staffing, schedules, technical risks, and laboratory resources supporting hardware development, qualification, production, and sustainment programs.
    • Provide technical leadership for embedded electronics test systems, automated test equipment (ATE), avionics integration laboratories, qualification testing, and production acceptance testing supporting U.S. Air Force weapon systems.
    • Establish standardized laboratory processes, verification methodologies, automated test architectures, and engineering best practices while mentoring multidisciplinary engineering teams and advancing organizational technical capabilities.
    • Lead business development and strategic marketing efforts to identify, shape, capture, and win avionics verification, automated test system, laboratory modernization, and sustainment opportunities supporting continued department growth.
    Daily and Monthly Responsibilities:
    • Plan, organize, and lead daily technical and administrative activities while managing engineering staff utilization, laboratory resources, budgets, employee development, and execution of avionics verification and validation programs.
    • Travel regularly to Hill AFB, Tinker AFB, Robins AFB, Wright-Patterson AFB, and other customer locations to support technical interchange meetings, laboratory demonstrations, program execution, and business development activities.
    • Direct development of automated test equipment (ATE), hardware-in-the-loop systems, laboratory instrumentation, embedded software test solutions, environmental test systems, and production acceptance testers.
    • Ensure developed avionics hardware and electronic assemblies successfully meet performance, environmental, EMI/EMC, nuclear survivability, airworthiness, and customer qualification requirements through comprehensive verification and validation.
    • Lead customer engagement, strategic marketing, proposal development, ROMs, RFIs, technical presentations, white papers, and capture activities supporting opportunities from concept development through contract award.
    Requirements:
    • Requires a Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related engineering discipline. Other degree fields may be considered with highly relevant experience supporting USAF avionics modernization and sustainment programs. Advanced degrees are preferred.
    • 10 years: Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary engineering teams developing embedded electronics, avionics hardware, automated test equipment, verification laboratories, production test systems, and qualification test programs.
    • 10 years: Experience supporting USAF bomber, tanker, heavy aircraft, or strategic weapon system modernization and sustainment programs with experience developing avionics verification architectures, qualification strategies, and laboratory test capabilities.
    • 8+ years: Demonstrated leadership managing engineering personnel, laboratory operations, utilization, budgets, technical execution, proposals, ROMs, RFIs, and strategic business development supporting DoD avionics and electronic systems.
    • 5+ years: Experience leading verification and validation of embedded avionics systems including automated testing, environmental qualification, EMI/EMC, production acceptance testing, airworthiness verification, and system integration.
    • A valid/clear driver's license is required.

    Numbers & Facts

    LocationSan Antonio, TX
    IndustryEngineering Services
    Company Size2,000 to 2,499 employees
    Year Founded1947
    Websitehttp://www.swri.org/

    Benefits

    Paid Sick Days, Parking, Professional Development, Employee Referral Program, Flexible Spending Accounts, Employee Events, Retirement / Pension Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Health Care on Site, Merchandise Discounts, Military Leave, On Site Cafeteria

    About Company

    We are R&D problem solvers providing independent, premier services to government and industry clients. Our multidisciplinary nature allows us to rapidly assemble diverse teams to tackle problems from multiple directions. We push the boundaries of science and technology to develop innovative solutions that advance the state of the art and improve human health and safety. Operating as a nonprofit since our 1947 inception, we work in the public’s best interest and toward the betterment of mankind.  At SwRI, we tirelessly pursue innovation and excellence in science and technology for the betterment of humankind. We support work on nearly 4,000 client projects at any given time through a wide range of technical competencies with 2,574 staff members in nine technical divisions. Client services include, but are not limited to, Automotive and Transportation, Biomedical & Health, Chemistry & Materials, Computers and Electronics, Defense & Security, Earth & Space, Energy & Environment, and Manufacturing & Construction. 

    TECHNICAL DIVISIONS

    • Applied Physics-Developing advanced electronic and microelectronic devices, power supplies, voice and data communication systems, robot test services, and payloads
    • Applied Power-Using physical science research and applied engineering to produce sensors, instruments, and hardware used worldwide.
    • Center for Nuclear Waste Regulatory Analyses-Resolving technical and regulatory issues related to a potential geologic repository for spent nuclear fule and high-level radioactive waste.
    • Chemistry and Chemical Engineering-Performing research and technical services using chemistry and chemical engineering technology.
    • Defense and & Intelligence Solutions-Providing advanced direction finding and tracking systems through geolocation system development.
    • Fuels and Lubricants Research-Performing fuels and lubricants research activities to meet regulatory and competitive goals.
    • Intelligent Systems-Providing engineering services in resaerch and development of complex systems and equipment.
    • Mechanical Engineering-Improving safety, reliability, efficiency and life of new or existing mechanical components or systems.
    • Powertrain Engineering-Designing and developing vehicle and engine components to achieve performance and emissions goals.
    • Space Science & Engineering-Developing and managing advanced scientific payloads aboard satellites and sounding rockets.

    PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

    Innovation in science and technology has been a hallmark of Southwest Research Institute since its earliest days. It's no exaggeration to say we are committed to advancing science and applying technology to benefit government, industry, and all humankind. That is our mission. Our multidisciplinary, collaborative approach allows us to successfully solve clients' most challenging problems. Today, we are a leader among independent, nonprofit research and development organizations. Our staff of 2,574 scientists, engineers, analysts, and support staff members continues to accomplish outstanding fundamental and applied engineering and research for clients from diverse segments of government and industry. Adam L. Hamilton, P.E, President and CEO

    IN THE COMMUNITY
    Our staff is expert at developing solutions that help build a better tomorrow today; and that practical, innovative spirit carries through to our community interactions. Staff members generously donate time and outher resources to support food drives, blood drives, and other
    outreach programs. 
    HONORS AND AWARDS
    Southwest Research Institute has earned 43 R&D 100 awards since 1971. Each year R&D Magazine recognizes developments regarded as among the 100 most significant technical accomplishments. The Chicago Tribune dubbed the program "the Oscars of Invention". 

    Skills

    • ATE Testersunmatched
    • Acceptance Testingunmatched
    • Aerospace Engineeringunmatched
    • Aerospace and Defenseunmatched
    • Avionicsunmatched
    • Best Practicesunmatched
    • Budget Managementunmatched
    • Budgetingunmatched
    • Business Developmentunmatched
    • Business Growthunmatched
    • Cross-Functionalunmatched
    • Defense Intelligenceunmatched
    • Driver's Licenseunmatched
    • Electrical Engineeringunmatched
    • Electromagnetic Compatibilityunmatched
    • Electromagnetic Interference (EMI)unmatched
    • Electronicsunmatched
    • Electronics Assemblyunmatched
    • Embedded Softwareunmatched
    • Embedded Systemsunmatched
    • Engagement Marketingunmatched
    • Engineering Managementunmatched
    • Governmentunmatched
    • Hardware Administrationunmatched
    • Hardware Developmentunmatched
    • Hardware Quality Assuranceunmatched
    • Instrumentationunmatched
    • Laboratory Operationsunmatched
    • Laboratory Testingunmatched
    • Leadershipunmatched
    • Manufacturing/Production Testingunmatched
    • Marketing Strategyunmatched
    • Mentoringunmatched
    • People Managementunmatched
    • Product Demonstrationunmatched
    • Production Supportunmatched
    • Production Systemsunmatched
    • Project/Program Managementunmatched
    • Proposal Developmentunmatched
    • Recruiting Strategyunmatched
    • Requirements Validation/Verificationunmatched
    • Research & Development (R&D)unmatched
    • Sales Qualificationunmatched
    • Software Testingunmatched
    • Staff Developmentunmatched
    • Strategic Planningunmatched
    • System Integration (SI)unmatched
    • System Testunmatched
    • System Validationunmatched
    • Systems Engineeringunmatched
    • Systems Maintenanceunmatched
    • Team Lead/Managerunmatched
    • Technical Leadershipunmatched
    • Technical Presentationunmatched
    • Technical Supportunmatched
    • Technology White Papersunmatched
    • Test Automationunmatched
    • Test Equipmentunmatched
    • Test Labunmatched
    • Test Programunmatched
    • Test Strategyunmatched
    • Testingunmatched
    • United States Air Force (USAF)unmatched
    • United States Department of Defense (DoD)unmatched
    • Validation Testingunmatched

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