Job Summary
The Manager, Research & Development – Human Machine Interaction is primarily responsible for leading a team of direct reports who work on technically versatile and various scopes of work. The role is primarily responsible for leading the development next generation aircraft systems with a focus on pilot/operator interaction with the aircraft. As such, the role requires leading the deployment of rapid prototyping methods as well as disciplined design & evaluation in concert with peers responsible for adjacent areas to yield integrated solutions. The role also collaborates closely with peers and leadership of the AD&D organization to refine the Advanced Development Operational Model, specifically to develop a more structured approach to technology maturation methods and processes that enable successful transition of R&D programs to program launches. The role is also responsible for managing project and financial aspects of projects and within direct reports in a manner consistent with the companys overall strategic plan. This position will work with Cirrus leaders, primarily AD&D leadership, and lead direct reports to plan, develop, and drive to department objectives programs across the lifecycle of Cirrus products.
Duties and Responsibilities/Essential Functions
· Advocates for the AD&D organization and consistently displays the appropriate values, skills, area contributions, and growth/protection of shareholder value.
· Leads the development of aircraft and adjacent systems that improve the Human-Machine Interaction and control the personality of the product from an operational perspective.
· Leads the development of validation tools within AD&D in collaboration across the enterprise.
· Collaborates with peers across Product Development to ensure alignment and coordination between AD&D and Product Development.
· Collaborates with peers within AD&D to advance the objectives of the organization.
· Collaborates with AD&D leadership to develop technology roadmaps, strategically aligned with Product Development product roadmaps.
· Collaborates with Product Development and the Customer Experience Team to develop and sustain the future vision of Cirrus Aircraft products, feeding product and technology roadmaps.
· Develops necessary Processes for AD&D operations.
· Participates in the development of the organizations vision, strategies, budgets, and plans.
· Participates in the development and nurturing of relationships with relevant strategic partners.
· Develops and implements rapid prototyping/concept methods for complex systems as well as features.
· Advocates for systems-engineering-based development approach in support of company technology roadmap development.
· Participates in planning of organizational activities (short term plans) and strives for continued improvements.
· Contributes to the development and maintenance of the team skill matrix, including hiring and succession planning.
· Leads and grows direct reports and builds organizational cohesion.
· Manages relationships and personalities with the ability to collaborate and maintain successful team member relationships.
· Monitors and adjusts to organizational cadence to ensure effective use of resources, in collaboration with AD&D leadership.
· Sets and executes operating model for a one-team approach.
· Works closely with AD&D leadership on AD&D projects, strategic initiatives, organizational processes, etc.
· Drives implementation of strategies, plans, and tactics for current projects to achieve project and program deliverables, with a focus on the right skill matrix to minimize necessary oversight.
· Facilitates project and program decisions.
· Leverages technical, leadership, and business acumen to provide insight on risk, issues, requirements, design, and/or solution to be able to effectively manage projects in program and associated dependencies.
· Takes responsibility for technical integrity of projects and team output.
· Ensures team projects are managed appropriately, e.g. scope, effort required, maturity assessments, risk management, etc.
· Leverages business acumen to develops project criteria, including business cases of applicable AD&D projects with team, and to develop priorities.
· Is a sounding board to all team members – project related and organizational.
· Leverages technical depth to guide broader engineering problems and delegates appropriately.
· Grows own technical and leadership breadth to increase effectiveness of self and team.
· Collaborates with AD&D leadership the balance internal resources across AD&D priorities.
· Identifies and enables experiential growth of team and self through project opportunities.
· Supports development and measurement against business plans, MR&O, and DR&O. May potentially include Business Requirements & Objectives (BR&O) depending on project type.
· Assesses purpose and status of the projects in a program and can use this oversight to support project-level activity in support of program goals.
· Communicates and resolves project constraints collaboratively. Escalates as needed.
· Regular, reliable, and predictable attendance.
· Travel requirements estimated at 10.
Examples of expected activities and deliverables:
· Develop and sustain technology maturation process, aligned with Product Development platform roadmaps.
· Develops and implement rapid evaluation tools, initially specific to Human-Machine Interaction projects.
· Leads development of labs and validation methods.
· Collaborates with AD&D leadership to create and foster strategic alliances
· Leads and engages at a team and individual level to foster cohesion and growth
· Leads technical projects to maintain and grow technical depth and breadth
· Leads & conducts technical work to best leverage skills across the team
· Leads onboarding of new members
· Contributes to annual project and budget setting
· Co-develops project planning and integration methods
· Develop and sustain team cadence
· Develop and sustain “business readiness level” scoring of projects as a maturity metric, including financial models, business level needs for project success (e.g. training, service center engagement, infrastructure, etc.)
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential function satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
· Bachelors Degree in Aerospace, Mechanical, Electrical Engineering or equivalent combination of work and educational experience.
· Masters Degree in technical field or business highly desirable.
· Ten years plus related experience in systems engineering, low TRL technology development, R&D in aerospace or a related field.
· Five years formal leadership experience required, ideally in general aviation
· Experience managing multiple and varied engineering disciplines.
· Pilot license desirable.
· Demonstrated leadership skills aligning to the Cirrus key attributes: (1) ability to create and communicate a clear vision for the future; (2) clear track record for integrity in all dealings; (3) superior communication skills at all levels and audiences; (4) team understanding, development, and motivation; and (5) decisiveness.
· Ability to develop, communicate and champion strategies for growth.
· Intimately familiar with the many aspects of an engineering, manufacturing, and sales/service company.
· Highly proficient in assisting functional leaders in interpreting operational and financial reports and trends, including associated analytics to optimize performance.
· Able to reduce complex, abstract ideas into direction and goals for team members.
· Risk assessment, problem solving, and decision making based on data.
· Capable of establishing targets for the teams by setting goals tailored to individual capabilities, monitor progress, and adjust as needed.
· Ability to analyze highly complex information and make sound recommendations.
· Able to compose formal reports including budgets, memos, correspondence, agreements, and other professional documents.
· Maintains high quality standards for the organization and complies with corporate governance. Understands key process issues and ensures process improvements occur.
· Coordinates information and activities and broadens communication channels among multi-functional groups.
· Hands-on leadership style; inquisitive by nature, growth mindset critical.
· Consistently displays entrepreneurial thinking; is action and results driven.
· Proficient with Microsoft excel and complex spreadsheet development.
· Ability to effectively manage stress, including competing work demands and multiple projects at the same time.
Competencies
To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:
· Drives Results
· Manages Ambiguity
· Develops talent
· Situational adaptability
· Resourcefulness
· Customer focus
Other Duties
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. Work beyond 40 hours per week may be required.
Cirrus is dedicated to a drug free work environment promoting equal employment opportunity. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, national origin, color, age, disability, religion, pregnancy, veteran status, marital and family status, sexual orientation, receipt of public assistance, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
