Sierra Nevada Company is seeking a dynamic and innovative leader to join our team as the Vice President of Technology. In this role, you will drive transformative advancements across the Mission Solutions Technology (MST) Business Area in three key areas: Manned/Unmanned Aircraft Open Architecture Integration, Digital Grid Software Solutions, and Digital RF electromagnetic systems. As a key member of our executive team, reporting to the Senior Vice President of Strategy, you will play a critical role in driving innovation, advancing technological capabilities, managing a talented team of experts, and ensuring the successful execution of our defense projects. You will develop the overall innovation and technology development strategy for the MST business area at SNC. Youll collaborate with leaders and peers to develop business strategies, engage with customers and business partners to align roadmaps and develop relationships that enable profitable growth. Youll lead an exceptional team to deliver new product development, leading technology roadmaps for speedy and smooth product development and commercialization to win new business. If you are a visionary executive with a passion for innovation, we invite you to apply and help shape the future of aerospace and defense technology with us.The Mission Solutions and Technologies (MST) business area provides affordable, turn-key command/control, communications, integrated ISR, force protection and security solutions worldwide. The MST team has a long legacy of supporting the Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, commercial and international customers with years of experience in platform operations, engineering and full lifecycle management across domains – air, land, sea, space and cyber. https://www.sncorp.com/company/business-areas/
Responsibilities:
Strategic Leadership:
- Work with key company stakeholders to create and implement strategic technological initiatives that enhance business performance and provide a competitive advantage
- Develop and execute a comprehensive technology strategy aligned with the companys overall objectives and market trends
- Lead the identification and evaluation of emerging technologies relevant to aircraft integration, Electronic Warfare, Signals Intelligence, Big Data Analytics, AI/ML, Cryptographic Solutions, Battlefield Network Communications Management, and other customer mission needs
- Provide guidance and direction on technology investments, partnerships, and acquisitions to enhance our competitive position
Technical Vision and Innovation:
- Drive innovation and foster a culture of continuous improvement within the Strategy and Technology organizations
- Oversee the development and analysis of new technologies and techniques to improve or create new solutions
- Lead the research and development efforts to advance technologies and capabilities within our Digital Grid (as-a-service software), Digital RF, and Open Architecture Integration campaigns
- Champion the adoption of cutting-edge technologies and methodologies to enhance product performance and maintain technological superiority
- Oversee the capability development Independent Research and Development (IR&D) projects, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and customer requirements
- Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams, including engineering, product management, and operations, to deliver high-quality solutions on schedule and within budget
- Support customer-facing meetings, briefs, demos, and exercises
- Perform color team reviews and writing input for MST proposals
Technical Talent Management:
- Recruit, develop, and retain top technical talent (e.g., Tech Fellows, Tech Directors), fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and accountability
- Provide mentorship, coaching, and professional development opportunities to nurture the growth and expertise of the technology team
- Establish performance metrics and goals to evaluate team performance and drive continuous improvement
Customer Engagement and Relationship Management:
- Support the Strategy and Business Development team to collaborate with key stakeholders, customers, industry partners, to understand their technology needs and requirements
- Serve as a trusted advisor to customers, providing technical expertise and thought leadership on defense technologies and solutions
- Build and maintain strong relationships with customers to drive customer satisfaction and loyalty
Must Haves:
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Computer Science or a related field
- Relevant experience may substitute for required education
- 15+ years of relevant experience in technology strategy, innovation, and implementation with a high level of expertise
- Proven track record of leadership in technology organizations, with a focus on defense or aerospace industries
- Extensive experience developing technology and IRAD (Research and Development) roadmaps, and seeing them through to completion
- Deep expertise in Electronic Warfare, Signals Intelligence, Big Data Analysis, Cryptographic Solutions, and Battlefield Network Communications Management
- Strong business acumen and strategic thinking skills, with the ability to translate technical vision into actionable plans and results
- Working knowledge and experience with various technical matters in support of the exportability, technical determination and release of products and services
- Advanced knowledge and understanding of one or more of the following disciplines: Business development, capture management, program management, science and engineering programs, acquisition processes, opportunity identification and qualification
- Ability to use insight of the organizations internal and external business environment to improve outcomes that affect business/account; proven ability to drive positive change with continuous improvement
- Ability to quickly grasp technical concepts and understand complex technical and program interdependencies; possess a strategic mindset, linking technology and business
- Proven leadership, communication, motivation and interpersonal skills, and the ability to manage capture activities that will include working with individuals with varying disciplines, backgrounds and experience levels
- Previous experience leading teams
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage with internal and external stakeholders at all levels
- Demonstrated experience in talent management, including recruiting, coaching, and developing technical teams
- An active Secret U.S. Security Clearance with the ability to obtain a Top Secret clearance is required
Preferred:
- Demonstrated passion for ideation and innovation, as well as motivating others to act by creating a shared sense of vision or purpose
- Possess a strategic mindset, linking technology and business
- Team oriented with the ability to work independently with minimal supervision
- Background in the Aerospace and Defense Industry, the US Department of Defense (Civilian), NASA/Civil or commercial space and/or US Military, with an understanding of defense, aerospace, intelligence, and adjacent markets
Estimated Starting Salary: $223,743.38 - $307,647.14
SNC offers annual incentive pay based upon performance that is commensurate with the level of the position.
SNC offers a generous benefit package, including medical, dental, and vision plans, 401(k) with 150 match up to 6, life insurance, 3 weeks paid time off, tuition reimbursement, and more.
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
This position requires current/active Secret U.S. Security Clearance. U.S. Citizenship status is required as this position needs an active U.S. Security Clearance for employment. Non-U.S. Citizens may not be eligible to obtain a security clearance. The Department of Defense Consolidated Adjudications Facility (DoD CAF), a federal government agency, handles the adjudicative aspects of the security clearance eligibility process for industry applicants. Adjudicative factors which affect the outcome of the eligibility determination include, but are not limited to, allegiance to the U.S., foreign influence, foreign preference, criminal conduct, security violations and illegal drug use.Learn more about the background check process for Security Clearances.
SNC is a global leader in aerospace and national security committed to moving the American Dream forward. We’re known and respected for our mission and execution focus, agility, and disruptive and rapid innovation. We provide leading edge technologies and transformative solutions that support our nation’s most critical security needs. If you are mission-focused, thrive in collaborative environments, and want to make our country stronger with state-of-the-art technologies that safeguard freedom, join our team!
As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we welcome our employees to bring their whole selves to their work. SNC is committed to fostering an inclusive, accepting, and diverse environment free of discrimination. Employment decisions are made without regarding to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, status as a protected veteran or other characteristics protected by law. Contributions to SNC come in many shapes and styles, and we believe diversity in our workforce fosters new and greater ways to dream, innovate, and inspire.
