Santa Barbara Infrared, Inc. is currently recruiting for the position of Chief Technology Officer.
Santa Barbara Infrared, Inc. (SBIR) is a very successful, fast-paced subsidiary of HEICO Corporation, (NYSE: HEI, HEI.A). For more than 60 years, HEICO has thrived by serving segments of the aerospace, defense, and electronics industries by providing innovative and cost-saving products and services. Forbes Magazine has ranked HEICO as one of the 200 "Best Small Companies" and 200 "Hot Shot Stocks".
Santa Barbara Infrared, Inc. designs and manufactures the most technologically advanced Infrared (IR) and Electro-Optical (E-O) test instrumentation. SBIR's broad line of innovative products support testing of military and commercial sensor systems for world-wide use in laboratory, production, depot and field test applications. SBIR's high-energy, dynamic culture focuses our Team Members on providing quality products and services to our customers. We provide highly integrated, well-engineered, cost effective hardware and software solutions to the E-O community. In doing so, SBIR has become the preferred supplier to major domestic and international manufacturers of commercial and military E-O sensors and systems.
The Chief Technology Officer is a new and strategic role and will support the development of the technology roadmap; they will direct and manage the activities of the Systems Engineering department in the design, test and manufacture of electro-optical components, products, and systems by performing the following duties personally or through subordinate supervisors. This role leads the technical engagement of military customers to understand their future product strategies and develop technology roadmaps to ensure SBIR is positioned to win.
This executive will execute technology maturation and advanced product development efforts to capitalize on existing success
and mature the right capabilities to the appropriate technology and manufacturing / test readiness levels when the customer RFP or unique new business opportunity is presented. S/he will collaborate with the Sales and Strategy teams to develop and execute new product development, to include executing on new technology team and pursuit strategy development to grow the SBIR business.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide overall leadership and direction for the SBIR technology roadmap with Product Management (voice of the customer) and demonstrate clear ownership of IR&D supporting programs
- Manage and develop the Systems Engineering team to meet program schedules and milestones, expand SBIR's capability to drive growth, and build an environment where key technologies are seeded
- Develop and cultivate strong relationships with customers and development partners to drive technology maturation and execute on agreed upon strategies
- Coordinate, strategize, and collaborate to convert innovative ideas into practical solutions; promote acceptance of improved (or new) technologies and products, and influence customer requirements
- Ensure submitted proposals, product development, and delivery plans have realistic resources and timelines, and are consistent with forecasted departmental operating costs
- Direct budget request preparation, drive improvements to refine product specification generation and flow-down processes to eliminate compliance errors; improve the accuracy of work plan budgets
- Offer technical depth to understand sub-tasks in programs, challenge assumptions and process, and provide roadmap guidance, to include direction on complex multi-element modeling
- Supervise ~10 employees in the Engineering Department and execute administrative responsibilities in accordance with organizational policies and applicable laws---these include interviewing, hiring, and training employees; planning, assigning, and directing work; appraising performance; rewarding and disciplining employees; and addressing complaints and resolving problems
- Foster and maintain a culture of accountability, collaboration, and ownership; an understanding of customer requirements; and one that empowers, develops, grows, and retains talent
Critical Success Objectives
- Manage and improve systems engineering processes and execution rigor; align systems engineering team with engineering team
- Customer-orientation to cultivate current and develop new relationships; product and firm evangelism
- Manage and inspire teams through collaboration, consistency, and grit; ask appropriate questions and drive accountability
- Lead and strengthen product organization with strategic roadmap guidance, vision, and focus
- Foster a culture of technical excellence, trust, communication, innovation and continuous improvement
Skills and Competencies
- Minimum of 10 years' experience in engineering and product development, including at least six (6) years of experience in process-driven and structured organizational leadership roles
- Extensive domain expertise in E-O / optics. Lidar, photonics, or RF systems; ideally, including hardware / software development and test; proven track record with electronics product delivery
- Prior experience developing a product roadmap and breaking it down into specific steps to develop a strategic plan--results-driven program management / execution experience
- Demonstrated credibility within industry and with customers; in-depth knowledge of customer technology; and an ability to communicate effectively with technical teams and leadership
- A history of collaborative leadership with both direct and indirect team, with ability to lead through influence and effectively communicate complex technical concepts to key stakeholders
- Excellent problem-solving skills with a detail-oriented, organized, and methodical approach; and the ability to read, interpret, and generate design documentation including schematics, test procedures, part(s) lists, design descriptions, and data records
Desired Characteristics
- Deep understanding of the sensor-related and test market, including customer, competitor and supplier positions in the technology and product strategy spaces
- Insight on emerging sensor and optics technologies, artificial intelligence and machine learning, advanced hardware and software application
- Strong customer mindset that engages with stakeholders, understand their problem statements, and develop strategies to deliver long-term solutions
- An effective communicator viewed as knowledgeable, consultative, objective, and possessing unique interpersonal skills--a leader and coach that inspires excellence, builds effective teams, and constructively partners and collaborates to drive alignment across the organization
Education
An advanced degree in electrical, systems, or related engineering from an accredited university or college or equivalent experience is required; a PhD or study beyond a master's is preferred.
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Additional Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Due to US Export Control Regulations compliance, eligible candidates MUST be a US citizen, permanent resident or a person who has been granted asylum; proper documentation required. Pre-employment verifications: must pass background, reference and ITAR/EAR checks in addition to a pre-employment drug screen.
This position offers many benefits: medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, HSA, FSA, alternate work week schedule, LTD, life insurance and much more.
EOE
Male/Female/Veteran/Disabled
