Safran Defense & Space, Inc. · 19 hours ago
Technical Director
Bedford, NH
Full-time
Onsite
Director/Executive
15+ years expSafran Defense & Space, Inc. is a leading U.S. aerospace company focused on supporting national defense and space missions. The Technical Director, Strategy and Capture will develop and coordinate product and technology roadmaps, engage with customers, and lead technical efforts to ensure alignment with strategic goals.
ManufacturingNavigation
No H1B
Security Clearance RequiredU.S. Citizen Only
Responsibilities
Define and refine product roadmaps for particular business area
Engage with customers to develop near and long-term capture goals
Serve as a technical interface between customers and the company. Influence customer requirements and expectations, particularly related to technical product development
Serve as a mentor, leadership example and inspire technical team cohesiveness and collaboration
Communicate strategy and context for development efforts within Safran DSI
Lead initial architecture definition and technical trades as development programs are established
Identify technical gaps and propose solutions (R&D, partnerships, CTO support etc.)
Identify, communicate, promote consensus and pursue novel technologies that are key to the development of future products
Coordinate across functions in order to define the Safran DSI Independent Research and Development (IRAD) roadmap, consolidated and tracked by the VP of Research and Technology
The S&C function in responsible for the strategic budgeting and allocation of IRAD funds. Technical directors review, approve, and guide the generation of project scope documentation such that IRAD efforts are efficiently and broadly aligned with strategic roadmaps across all business areas. Technical directors are expected to oversee the set of IRADs most closely related to their business areas (or technical expertise) and work with project execution leads (consisting of a cognizant PM and engineering lead) to monitor performance against technical and financial milestones. The TD acts as an internal customer, key stakeholder, and advisor for IRAD efforts, and is responsible for ensuring that any emergent needs to alter scope, schedule, or prioritization are communicated to the teams and accurately reflected in the execution plans. The TD may act as a technical lead when/if required
Capture External Research and Development funding (ERAD) aligned with development roadmaps
Identify ERAD budgets and expectations, informing the Engineering Directors, VP of Programs and CFO
The TD is responsible for ensuring technical solutions for ERAD pursuits are aligned with customer needs and strategic initiatives that impact architectural choices. The TD is expected to over-see and directly contribute to capture efforts within their business area (or area of technical expertise) during the initial concept definition. TDs are expected to guide or review architectural studies, promote inclusion of engineering early in the capture process, assist in project execution planning, and work to ensure a smooth transition from proposal to execution
Promote early involvement of engineering staff in development of technologies and products
As a member of development teams, influence system architectures, trades and solutions, ensuring development team consensus and ownership
Provide technical oversight and guidance, ensuring alignment with customer needs
Independently write and lead whitepapers and contribute to technical sections of proposals. Analyze requirements and provide technical input to the Proposal Lead/Manager. Ensure alignment with internal stakeholders
Qualification
Required
Minimum of fifteen (15) years of technical experience in an electro-optic development field such as lasers, optics, and/or imaging systems
Proven ability to design and/or model systems in their field(s) of expertise (e.g. signal processing, camera systems, vibration and thermal management, environmental hardening for MIL-STD 810 compliance, systems engineering)
Product development experience, from concept to production
Demonstrated ability to organize development efforts, prioritize goals and set direction for a development team
Experience contributing to bid and proposal / business capture efforts
Ability to independently write technical whitepapers
Due to the need for a US Secret Clearance, must be a US Citizen
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Math, Physics or related discipline
Preferred
Experience working in a multi-national, multi customer environment
Experience with and demonstrated understanding of electro-optical system design and production
Experience in DoD-type acquisition and contracting. International experience a plus
Basic understanding of ITAR regulations and import/export regulations a plus
Experience with USG or DoD customer base
Master's degree in a related field is a plus
Company
Safran Defense & Space, Inc.
U.S company providing top-notch solutions for Defense and Space applications.
201-500 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageRecent News
2025-10-13
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