Position Summary:
The Staff Scientist is a senior subject matter expert in energetic materials formulation, chemistry, processing, and properties characterization.
This position reports to the Director of Research and supports the Director in execution of NDS energetic materials R&D strategy. In this capacity the Scientist will partner with the Director and the Vice President Engineering and Strategy to establish technical vision, drive innovation strategy, and provide technical leadership that advances the company's portfolio, manufacturing capabilities, and competitive position. The Scientist will support the Director with establishing Research priorities, defining technology roadmaps, influencing investment decisions, establishing scientific standards, managing technical risk reduction, and mentoring developing scientists.
The Scientist is responsible for providing technical leadership to identify, plan, propose and execute energetics R&D activities that enable pursuit of future technologies and product lines. The Scientist leads efforts to propose and execute IR&D and customer funded programs that develop energetic materials solutions supporting NDS strategy. The Scientist utilizes junior scientists within the PEP department to execute program tasks, providing technical mentorship to ensure project success and support their professional development. The Scientist will at times directly participate in hands-on tasks to execute programs.
This is not a managerial role, allowing for maximum technical contribution from this position. The PEP Manager will own managerial leadership of the PEP team of Scientists, to include setting expectations, professional development, work habits, interpersonal effectiveness and accountability. The Scientist will serve as a technical mentor within the department.
The Scientist will represent the company as a recognized technical authority. The Scientist will develop and maintain strategic collaborations with universities, government labs and industry partners. It is expected that the Scientist will be engaged within the industry technical community and participate in conferences and industry panels and author technical publications.
As a subject matter expert, the Scientist will also be consulted by the PEP staff in the execution of material analysis, energetic material testing, and energetic manufacturing processes in both Research and Production to ensure safe and successful manufacture of energetic materials within the Mesa factory.
Primary Responsibilities:
• Support a culture of safety within the PEP team
• Implement strategic direction from Director of Research
• Support Director of Research in developing strategy
• Identify, plan, propose and execute research activities that support the strategic plan
• Provide technical mentorship to department staff and support a culture of professional development
• Proactive and responsive engagement in Research Operations activities to ensure safe and accurate execution of laboratory activities
• Adequate and timely technical documentation
• Identify analytical instrumentation/equipment or competency investments that supporting current and future technology pursuits
• Engage technical community through establishing and maintaining customer and partner relationships
• Responsive engagement of self and team in Manufacturing Operations energetic production activities to ensure safe and accurate production of energetics
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment to ensure department supports site objectives and works well with cross functional site leadership
Required Experience & Skills:
• MS required, Ph.D. preferred in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or applicable Materials Science discipline
• Minimum 10 years in energetic materials industry
• Recognized expert within the energetics community
• Minimum 5 years experience leading people preferred, in capacity as a program team lead or with direct reports
• Significant previous experience responding to DoD S&T solicitations
• Demonstrated record of technical innovation through patents, publications, or major technology transitions, or equivalent contributions recognized by the technical community
• Demonstrated engagement in the industry technical community above and beyond participating in programs
• Demonstrated ability to personally conceive, design, execute, and interpret complex experimental research in energetic materials and manufacturing processes
• Experience serving a technical lead for major DoD research programs
• Ability to communicate technical strategy effectively to executives, customers and stakeholders
Skills & Requirements Qualifications
