Principal Director- Electronics and Photonics Laboratory  

Job Summary 

The Aerospace Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL) is a diverse scientific organization that provides a broad and innovative research and development backplane for a growing space enterprise.  PSL’s impact is grown through a diverse research portfolio that blends foundational scientific research with cutting-edge technology development to serve a broad customer base. PSL’s exclusive ability to work with all stakeholders: (government, industry, and academia) enables us to provide novel solutions to the most challenging issues in current and future technology applications. The strength of PSL comes from the combination of cutting-edge tools and facilities, a vast repository of space-system knowledge, and the extensive technical expertise of our people. We harness these tools and expertise in over 150 different laboratories to tackle the new challenges for the space enterprise. 

Aerospace is seeking a motivated and high-energy Principal Director to lead the Electronics and Photonics Laboratory (EPL) research and development organization. EPL is comprised of over 90 research scientists and engineers with an ~$20M annual operating budget, focused on a wide range of science and technology areas ranging from advanced microelectronics, device physics, photonics, free-space laser applications, atomic clock technology, and energy technology for space application (including both battery and solar technologies).  This innovative organization is part of the Physical Sciences Laboratories (PSL), with provides foundational and applied R&D across the National Security enterprise, NASA/civil programs, commercial space, and academia.  This creative leader will manage laboratory resources and personnel to shape research strategy and evolve corporate R&D for electronics, photonics, and energy technology at a national level.   

Work Model  

This is a full-time position based in El Segundo, CA, which requires 100% onsite work. 

What You’ll Be Doing  

• You will be leading a multidisciplinary large staff of scientists and engineers with department directors and laboratory management team across a diverse portfolio that includes research and applied science technologies across advanced microelectronics, device physics, photonics, and space power. 

• S/he will be developing and implementing the subdivision strategic vision and priority in support of corporate and PSL-level strategies.  

• Proactively managing and growing staff-building teams and growing customer business and program funding resources across a wide variety of customers and technical needs 

• Facilitating organizational collaboration and engaging across industry, government, and academia to determine state of the art, customer needs, and opportunities for new R&D efforts 

• Connecting and integrating science and engineering efforts through multi-disciplinary and integrated product teams 

• Oversees annual staff performance, development, compensation, succession planning, and career growth 

• Manages all EPL laboratory operations including facilities, safety, and financial planning in tight collaboration with corporate operations organizations 

What You Need to Be Successful 

Minimum Requirements: 

• Technical engineering or science degree with direct experience in basic and applied research 

• A minimum of (8) years of relevant science, engineering, or technical experience is required

• Deep science and technology experience in basic and applied research with space or terrestrial applications 

• Ability to plan and manage large operating budgets and laboratory operations 

• Managing significant laboratory R&D budget including multi-year financial planning, multi-million annual capital budget, >$5M annual IR&D budget, staff salaries, large facility and construction projects, and overhead resources  

• Demonstrated ability to build and lead teams in a changing environment, react quickly to changing requirements and schedules, and provide strategic direction given multiple customer needs 

• Prior experience managing teams and direct staff 

• Strong leadership skills to include people management experience, communication skills, and a passion for Science and Technology (S&T) research 

• Cross-functional collaboration across a large corporation and leadership skills, with the ability to make critical decisions and influence others 

• Ability to lead and work outside your personal expertise to cultivate new ideas across Aerospace and execute highly collaborative strategies that include multiple organizations 

• This position requires a current and active SCI clearance with the ability to obtain TS/SCI access, which is issued by the U.S. government. U.S. citizenship is required to obtain a security clearance. 

How You Can Stand Out 

It would be impressive if you have one or more of these: 

• Ph.D. or equivalent in physics, chemistry, or engineering/technology field, with specific emphasis on relevant EPL research areas is highly desirable 

• (15) years of relevant science, engineering, or technical experience is preferred 

• Ability to understand and leverage organizational culture and institute both strategy and change 

• Demonstrated success transitioning early research to integrated engineering teams for eventual industry technology transition 

• Prior experience managing teams working applied science and engineering projects that demonstrate team leadership to mature technologies for the larger space enterprise using prototype applications 

• Experience in development of new research intersections between traditional R&D and new disciplines such as data science, AI/ML, and digital engineering 

• History of successfully managing IR&D and laboratory capital budgets 

• Experience in external proposal development and successful track record of new business capture with industry and/or academic partners 

• Facilitation of technology transition of R&D products, services, and capabilities