What are the responsibilities and job description for the Director of Innovation position at Bowler Pons Solutions Consultants?
Role Description: Are you a technology enthusiast who loves to innovate, pitch new ideas, build and lead teams of talented technologists, and develop products and services that help transform organizations? Do you have experience standing up, managing, and scaling research and development (R&D) teams and products? Are you plugged into the latest technology trends, such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics (drones, quadrupeds, UUVs, hybrids), advanced sensors (e.g., lidar, radar, optical, ultrasonic) and analytics, biometrics, blockchain, cybersecurity, etc.!? Are you a motivated, visionary leader looking to make a BIG impact, backed by a management team that allows you autonomy to envision and pursue new opportunities!? Put your technical and creative skills to work spearheading, leading, designing, and refining new products as we bring our cutting-edge security technology solutions to the market!
Bowler Pons Solutions Consultants, LLC (Bowler Pons) is currently seeking an experienced (mid- to senior-level) and energetic Director of Innovation Development to lead our various strategic internal and customer-focused research and development (R&D) initiatives and help identify and pursue new opportunities for our growing technology business. The successful candidate will be working on corporate innovation strategy, solutions exploration, product and software development, integration, and forward-leaning technology initiatives in the fields of next-generation physical security, access control, threat detection and response, and beyond. Our innovation efforts support clients and industry partners alike in developing and deploying agile, responsive, and integrated solutions that help them rapidly mitigate emerging threats.
We are looking for a passionate technology leader to join our team and help us bring our ideas to life. As the Director of Innovation Development, you’ll help shape our product roadmap, building on our successes to date to bring new technologies to market. You’ll work closely with our company leadership, customers, trusted partners, and hardworking team of engineers, computer scientists, and innovation experts to identify, prioritize, and execute development initiatives – including solution design, creation, and testing. You’ll also be responsible for maintaining internal and external relationships and will play a key role in identifying potential partnerships and investors.
This position is primarily located at our state-of-the-art (established January 2020) headquarters office/lab facility in Annapolis, Maryland and will require periodic travel to customer and vendor locations. Remote candidates will be considered but must be willing to work on-site in Annapolis at least one (1) week per month at their own expense.
As a small business, we offer unmatched opportunities to learn, grow, and take ownership of new projects and concepts. We work fast, have big goals, and are looking for teammates who thrive in a dynamic and forward-looking environment.
Job Responsibilities:
- Translate business goals and product requirements into actionable solution development plans
- Develop innovative technology concepts and roadmaps in line with industry / emerging trends
- Oversee the strategic planning, direction, and control of product development activities and provide technical input into the company’s overall business strategy
- Develop and communicate strategy, provide ongoing executive updates, prioritize initiatives, and escalate roadblocks to executive leadership
- Develop transition roadmaps for ongoing innovative research and development projects
- Work with leadership team to effectively communicate, socialize, and gain sponsorship for resulting products
- Perform market analysis of similar products to help refine designs/features and identify target customers
- Maintain pipeline of new and derivative technology development projects
- Provide overall management and task execution oversight for research and development team
- Ensure that all internal and customer-focused development projects are delivered on time and within budget
- Serve as primary customer POC and ambassador of the firm for R&D initiatives
- Work with client-facing staff to codify product operational and support requirements
- Help develop, document, test and debug, maintain, and sell proprietary technology solutions
- Support development of system lifecycle plans, to include software/application patches and upgrades, and generate/implement engineering change processes as necessary to support existing products
- Support real-world testing and deployment of technology integration prototypes
- Collaborate with marketing team on outreach and advertising strategies
Required Qualifications:
- U.S. citizenship
- Ability to obtain/maintain a Department of Defense (DoD) security clearance
- BS in Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, or equivalent technical field
- 10 years’ technical management / leadership experience
- 5 years’ experience overseeing R&D program development efforts
- 5 years’ experience as a product or capability lead
- 2-5 years’ experience with SBIR/STTR or similar funding / grant programs
- 5 years’ experience leading test and evaluation events for technology development programs
- Demonstrated success in acquiring funding for product / program development
- Familiarity with systems engineering and system lifecycle management best practices
- Ability to collaborate well with cross-functional teams and team members; take ownership of innovation strategy, pipeline, projects and initiatives; and work effectively with limited supervision in a dynamic, customer-oriented environment
Additional Desired Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in engineering, computer science, physics, mathematics, or related graduate program
- 2-5 years’ experience with SBIR/STTR or similar funding / grant programs
- Experience with government science and technology (S&T) organizations (e.g., DARPA, IARPA, ARL, NRL, ONR, AFRL, SOFWERX, AFWERX, NavalX, etc.)
- Familiarity with latest technology trends, such as cloud, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics (drones, quadrupeds, UUVs, hybrids), advanced sensors (e.g., lidar, radar, optical, ultrasonic) and analytics, biometrics, blockchain, and cybersecurity
- FAA Drone Pilot License Part 107 Certified
- Experience briefing, pitching, and capturing customers, investors, and teaming partners
- Experience taking IoT MVPs to consumer-ready solutions
- Experience with SLAM, Robot Operating System (ROS), and/or other perception environments and related frameworks
About Bowler Pons:
Bowler Pons Solutions Consultants, LLC is a fast-growing Minority-Owned, Veteran-Owned 8(a)-certified Small Business based in Annapolis, MD. As a solutions provider, we deliver cutting-edge technology and comprehensive support for our client's toughest challenges in the fields of physical and cyber security, IT and network administration, and systems engineering. As an employer, we pride ourselves on offering best-in-class benefits – including generous tuition reimbursement, paid leave, and opportunities for mentorship and professional development – in combination with the personal connections of a small business. Find out more at www.bowlerpons.com.