Director of Mission Autonomy

What we do

Integer Technologies is a defense technology and applied research company founded by scientists and engineers with a passion for protecting freedom with innovation. We perform R&D on next-generation systems and technologies for the Department of Defense and other U.S. Government agencies. We are hardware and software developers with experience transforming research into fieldable technology. Our mission is to create a safer world by translating scientific discoveries into reliable products that address urgent national security needs… at the speed of relevance.

About the Role

Integer’s mission is to turn applied science and technology (S&T) research topics into tangible technology for the Department of Defense (DoD). Integer is currently hiring a Director of Mission Autonomy responsible for the strategy, management, and capture of a portfolio of DoD S&T research programs related to critical technologies for more reliable, more intelligent, and longer-duration distributed uncrewed and autonomous systems.

To achieve internal and customer project goals, the Director of Mission Autonomy must coordinate multiple research programs, understand new concepts from multiple engineering disciplines on advanced and complex topics, and communicate findings in a way that is easy for non-experts to understand. They must lead principal investigators (PI’s) and technical project managers (TPM’s) towards a clear vision for their teams, ensuring projects are executed to a high standard of excellence and continuously hitting demonstrable capability milestones.

The Director of Mission Autonomy must lead the capture of follow on work in related technical areas. They are well respected in the research community. They are experienced in getting to know DoD research sponsors and then forming new research ideas in alignment with the sponsor’s priorities. Critically, Director of Mission Autonomy must have a bias for research that explores capabilities relevant to the DoD mission set and lays the foundation for technology that may be transitioned into hands of the US warfighter.

Primary Responsibilities

• Embody Integer’s core values of integrity, insatiable curiosity, grit & polish, excellence without arrogance, and one team, one dream: https://www.integer-tech.com/about.
• Manage a portfolio of S&T programs. Develop a strategy for portfolio-level technical outcomes that are a result of complementary project outcomes, that amplify each other, and that align with company strategy.

-Oversee the technical, schedule, and budget performance for all of Integer’s S&T/R&D contracts related to mission-oriented autonomous systems.

-Supervise PI’s and TPM’s. Provide technical and programmatic quality control.

-Coach PI’s on how to perform high-level research, understand a customer, and keep them happy and excited about the research outcomes.

-Provide them with strategic direction, technical guidance, and prioritization by identifying near-term and long-term technology maturation milestones and driving accountability. This involves managing a workforce distributed across multiple offices and remote employees.

• Demonstrate capabilities relevant to customer needs and Integer strategy. Be the lead authority responsible for maturing science and technology research into functional, demonstratable prototypes that address validated customer needs. The Director of Mission Autonomy is ultimately responsible for making sure our projects are keeping to a regular cadence of demonstration events, and that our teams are adequately prepared to demonstrate ambitious capability advancements with each event. Duties for this role include but are not limited to:

• Support Business Development, Capture, & Proposal Writing:

-Leverage existing relationships and develop new relationships with customers, competitors, clients, and teammates to develop market insight on end-user requirements and contracting pathways.

-Support the Strategy and BD teams to directly engage with government, university, and private industry customers (either existing or potential) to understand their priorities and gaps related to the Company’s core capabilities, developing relationships with university and industry partners, travel (est. 20% on average), and representing the merits of proposed projects to various stakeholders.

-Lead and assist with writing proposals to grow the Company. This includes defining statements of work, authoring the technical approach, costing, negotiating subcontractor roles, and generally being responsible for creating compliant and competitive proposals. Importantly, this also involves training more junior personnel in best practices of proposal writing.

• Recruit additional scientists and engineers to grow a high-performance team.

Required Qualifications

• Must be a U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a US DoD Secret clearance.
• Bachelor’s degree in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Robotics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.
• At least 10 years of professional experience with Navy, Air Force, Army, or DARPA sponsored research programs.
• Experience managing applied research and technology demonstration project (budget activities 6.2 – 6.4) as a Principal Investigator or Project Manager.
• Significant knowledge and experience with multi-domain (surface and subsea) uncrewed and autonomous vehicle technology and control systems in the maritime environment.
• Expertise in broad areas of mission autonomy including digital engineering, modeling and simulation tools, and how to apply those tools to mission-level assessments of distributed unmanned operations.
• Familiarity with academic research environments and interfacing with early researchers and subject matter experts.
• Familiarity with Navy missions, platforms, and capability gaps. This includes, but is not limited to, unmanned systems, surface combatants, and expeditionary warfare.
• Experience managing diverse teams comprised of personnel from multiple business units and functional areas.
• Strong leadership skills with ability to hire and develop talent.
• Strong planning and organizational skills.
• Positive attitude with strong collaboration and communication skills.
• Ability to manage stressful work situations and team dynamics calmly, respectfully, and professionally.
• Ability to be a key contributor to the pursuit of new distributed unmanned systems research projects.
• Ability to travel occasionally, estimated at less than 25% of the time.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Background leading teams focused on extracting critical data from dense sources (e.g., modeling and simulation tools, sensors, and/or machinery control systems) and translating that into actionable, mission-level information for autonomous decision making onboard uncrewed systems.
• Master’s or Ph.D. in Marine Engineering, Naval Architecture, Robotics Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base salaries which exceed local & national industry averages.
• Year-end performance-based bonuses.
• 401(k) with company matching that vest immediately.
• Integer fully covers medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance costs for the employee and dependents. Integer standard plan pays 100% of health insurance premiums for your entire family from a well-known national insurer.
• Relocation assistance available.
• Paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.
• Paid bereavement and parental leave.
• Hybrid schedule: Mondays and Fridays are optional to work from home or in the office.

*Additional Location Options:

Columbia, SC; Baton Rouge, LA; Gulfport, MS; Durham, NH; Newark, DE; Washington, DC