T.J. Koellhoffer & Associates
1527 Chestnut Ridge Rd.
Upper Black Eddy, PA 18972
Office: 610-982-5959 Cell: 908-432-6740
E-Mail: tom@koellhoffer.com
Position Announcement: Division Director, R&D and Product Development
The Client: Our client is among the world’s leading research and product development companies working in the fields of advanced autonomous aircraft, manned and unmanned vehicles, robotics, and analytic systems. Established in 2012, the company has grown to over 200 employees. Their customers include the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), DARPA, NavAir, NASA and various other DoD and
commercial entities. The company’s three divisions are focused on creating new advanced technologies and applications in the fields of aircraft and robotics, while also driving successful test, demonstration, and end-user integration. They design, fabricate, and fly unmanned aircraft for government and commercial clients; create software-based solutions in the domains of real-time data analytics, autonomy, and sensor exploitation, and produce and service several product lines of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) that provide DoD customers with mission-critical, long-endurance aircraft.
The requirement to support the continued growth of the company’s Vehicle Design Studio requires the
addition of a Division Director to help facilitate and manage several new contracts that have recently been awarded. The position reports to the Vice President of Operations and will be the primary driver of several large programs through a team of Program Managers.
The Position: The Division Director will serve as the principal point of contact with US Goivernment
customers to interpret contractual requirements and report on the company’s execution of those
contracts. He/she will have primary responsibility for the cost, technology content and schedule of all
contracts and will lead all business operations for the division, including coordinating task orders with
other internal departments, sub-contractors, and partners. Specific roles will include:
• Maintain quality control and timeliness of all deliverables.
• Provide strategic direction and daily management of the Design Studio’s projects, programs, and
contractors as well as oversight of all technical, administrative, and financial performance.
• Provide recommendations for and evaluations of proposed staff.
• Direct business development efforts including white paper formulation, technical proposal
writing, teaming arrangements and staffing.
• Manage contract reporting and document production.
• Design and implement a variety of short and long-term quantitative and qualitative evaluation
systems covering activities and task orders, that will also address programs, projects, processes,
and initiatives.
• Support the development of performance management materials such as program/project
management plans and evaluation frameworks.
• Supervise 8 direct reports, 6 PMs and a total department staff of 60 people.
Key Responsibilities also include:
Organizational Development: The Division Director is responsible for growing the Vehicle Design
Studio centered around the successful delivery of both newly acquired and existing prime contracts for
the design and development of innovative autonomous aircraft. The division performs several key
functions, such as material and program management, which support the execution and completion of
highly technical, complex work at a demanding pace. The Division Director will supplement the team as
required to ensure that all work is executed in accordance with contractual obligations.
Standardized Processes: The Division Director will continue the development and implementation of
standardized processes and tracking metrics throughout the division to ensure all work is done efficiently,
effectively, and that it meets customer quality expectations.
This will include:
• Monitoring metrics on a regular basis and taking corrective action when needed to ensure that
quality, delivery, and service expectations are met or exceeded.
• Reviewing and documenting project management processes to track engineering projects
accurately and efficiently on IDIQ, time-and-materials, and fixed-price contracts.
• Ensuring all workplaces are equipped with the tools necessary to meet customer requirements.
• Leading the program management cadence of daily internal meetings, external customer
reporting and meetings, monitoring suppliers, etc.
The Candidate:
The ideal candidate will be a strong technical and business leader with direct experience leading
technology and product development contracts for US DoD customers in an advanced, rapid development program environment. He/she must possess a strong record of success leading the growth
of technology-based business operations, and in-depth experience with DoD acquisition and contracting
processes. Direct experience managing a team of R&D Engineers, Program Managers and Technicians on IDIQ contracts is required. Unmanned Systems Development is preferred, but not required.
At least 15 years of engineering management experience within an aerospace/defense organization plus 5 years in an engineering leadership position is required. The candidate must possess outstanding written and oral communication skills, an ongoing record of success acquiring government sponsorship for applied research projects, a strong desire to engage in business development and consultative selling, and the ability to promote joint research efforts with appropriate partners. He/she must exhibit the type of drive, determination, energy level and “can do” attitude required to successfully carry out the duties and responsibilities of this position in a highly charged, profit oriented, deadline-driven environment.
A Secret Security Clearance is required.
Compensation and Opportunity:
This position offers the opportunity to drive development of revolutionary, mission-critical products for a
plethora of DoD customers while directing a truly exceptional group of engineers, scientists and
technicians in the delivery and support of innovative, intelligent, autonomous aircraft systems.
A highly competitive compensation and equity package designed to attract the highest caliber talent will be available for this position.
T.J. Koellhoffer & Associates
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