Technical Director Job at Trident Systems Inc in Fairfax

At Trident Systems' Space Electronic Systems (SES) division, we believe in the power of using strong engineering principles to drive innovation and solve complex problems. We foster a culture of rigorous engineering and continuous improvement, leveraging the full knowledge of our organization through collaborative development processes that include design and peer reviews. We combine our expertise in space electronics with right-sized development processes to create innovative, high-performance space-based electronic systems that meet our customers' evolving needs.

We are seeking an experienced and dynamic Technical Director to support the Space Electronics Systems (SES) Business Unit (BU). This role is the most senior technical role within the BU and has a large impact on the performance, trajectory and growth of the BU in the space electronics market. The ideal candidate will have a deep, multi-disciplinary technical/engineering understanding of space electronics with demonstrated success leading a family of products in a business environment. The successful candidate will have strong communication skills and ability to bridge technical concepts and architectures to business operations and growth, being a recognized technical thought leader in the space electronics industry.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Develops, maintains and promulgates the master product/technology roadmap, next-generation products, intellectual property and development log for SES, including assessment of competition and understanding of business unit in the marketplace.
• Ultimate decision authority on technical matters related to product / technology areas on SES programs, including IRD.
• Provides ultimate direction on Internal Research and Development (IRD) programs, including project formulation, prioritization and execution to meet IRD goals.
• Provide ultimate judgement/direction on the technical adequacy of design, analysis and testing activities; informed by cost and schedule, to align with SES business strategy.
• Work closely with the LightRidge CTO, Tech Council, and Growth and Strategy to align SES’ technical direction with LightRidge goals.
• Working closely with Engineering (Common Design Element Owners and Product Family Owners) and Director of Programs to ensure the technical execution on multiple internal/external programs meets requirements in concert with the Program Management Organization (PMO)
• Lead and complete activities related to business development including lead generation, opportunity capture, concept development, proposal development/review and other aspects related to business development.
• Work closely with Growth and Strategy and Business Development to develop and maintain business relationships, customer contacts, government contacts and other relationships critical for business unit success.
• Act as a technical focal point for internal/external customers ensuring satisfaction with all technical efforts including participation in customer and government review boards.
• Act as a senior member of technical review boards, program reviews, and independent reviews.
• Champion divisional and company values, staff development, best practices and continuous improvement of Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) and Quality Management System (QMS) initiatives.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Education/Certification: Master’s degree (doctorate preferred) in technical field related to engineering or physics.
• Years of Experience: 14+ years of total experience

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS & ABIILITIES

• 10+ years of experience in engineering.
• 5-7 years in senior or leadership roles.
• Extensive experience in space systems design (satellites, payloads, launch systems, etc.) and electronics hardware used in space missions.
• Previous experience in the aerospace industry (satellite manufacturing, spacecraft design, avionics, propulsion, etc.) is highly valuable.
• Proven track record in leading multidisciplinary teams (electrical engineers, software engineers, systems engineers) to deliver large-scale space-related projects.
• Expertise in space-grade electronics, including radiation-hardened systems, power systems, communications, and control electronics used in space applications.
• Strong knowledge of embedded systems, microprocessors, and real-time software for space missions.
• Experience in high-reliability design and fault-tolerant systems, as these are critical in the space environment.
• Experience or familiarity in hardware design (e.g., PCB design, FPGA development, RF systems) and software integration.
• Experience testing and validating space electronics, including environmental testing (thermal, vacuum, radiation) and compliance with space mission standards (e.g., DoD, NASA, ESA, etc).
• Project management experience, including budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation for complex engineering projects.
• Proven ability to lead, mentor, and manage engineering teams, often with a diverse set of skills and backgrounds.
• Strong communication skills, capable of effectively engaging with stakeholders, customers, and upper management.
• Experience in making critical decisions under pressure, especially in the context of space mission risks and system failures.
• Ability to drive a culture of innovation while ensuring rigorous adherence to safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Understanding of space mission lifecycle from concept through to deployment and post-launch operations.
• Experience in working with government contracts and procurement processes for space hardware and electronics.
• Strong analytical skills for solving complex technical problems in a constrained environment.
• Ability to innovate and adapt new technologies (e.g., AI, machine learning for satellite operations, new materials, or quantum computing) to enhance space mission capabilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills to work effectively with customers, contractors, and internal teams.
• Ability to handle ambiguity and uncertainty, particularly in early stages of new space technologies or when dealing with unknowns in space missions.

Physical Requirements

Qualified candidates must be able to perform the essential functions of the position satisfactorily. Reasonable accommodations will be provided, if requested, to assist individuals with disabilities in fulfilling these essential functions, as long as doing so does not cause undue hardship.

• Must be able to constantly operate a computer and other office productivity machinery for a majority of the shift.
• Must be able to remain in a stationary position for a majority of the shift.
• Must be able to occasionally move materials and/or equipment weighing up to 15 pounds
• This role will primarily work in an open-plan office with high activity. Ideal candidates will be comfortable in a bustling, fast-paced environment.

Trident Systems reserves the right to change or assign other duties to this position.

Trident Systems is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. To request reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, please contact recruiting@tridsys.com.

Pay Transparency: The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)