Research and Development Director jobs in Lowell, MA

Company Overview

ARA is a C5ISR company that designs, manufactures, tests, and installs cutting edge antenna technologies to keep our joint forces secure, superior and safe.  We create and deliver a vast array of products for both military and civilian applications that combine innovative discoveries from companies we’ve acquired, including SI2 Technologies and AQYR, whose technologies complement and enhance our trusted systems. Our capabilities span from Electronic Warfare and Military Communications to Radar and Satellite Systems.  For more than 60 years, ARA has provided our military with unparalleled information, improved situational awareness, immediate threat detection and precision targeting.

From ideation to installation, ARA supplies unique antenna systems in both high-volume and smaller quantities to meet our customers’ needs and ensure success. Our US locations have fully staffed outdoor antenna test ranges, engineers, and on-site manufacturing lines and machine shops.

At ARA, our employees are our most valuable resource and are at the core of our success.  We are committed to an environment that values and respects the talents and expertise of our employees and provides continuous opportunities for growth.  

Job Summary

ARA is looking for a Chief Solutions Architect with subject matter expertise in Low-Observable and Radar Cross Section technology who can commercialize its products into advanced military programs. They will require a strong knowledge of technology areas such as RF Antennas, Arrays, Radar Cross Section Technology (RCS), Signature Management Systems (SMS) and more. Moreover, they should be able to convey experience in analysis, design, and testing of RF materials, subsystems, and systems, especially for DoD applications, radars, low observables (LO) and signal mitigation systems. 

 This position report to the Chief Technology Officer and play a key role in the development of its technologies, guiding its engineers and serving as a liaison to the company’s business development team. They will define and develop advanced RF technical solutions for the customer and build relationships and teams internally. Having a strong engineering background will be key in leading the ARA business as well as an understanding of highly specialized advanced platforms for airborne programs. 

 Essential Functions

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work individually and with engineers, management, and subcontractors to develop competitive solutions for contract R&D and product development proposals. 
• Develop RF/Microwave SMS solutions to meet requirements using steady-state modeling and dynamic modeling; assess cost, risk, and compliance for the solution; and ensure all design work has been validated and thoroughly documented prior to release. 
• Assess product performance against requirements through direction of verification/validation testing, evaluation of compliance matrix, and failure mode analysis. 
• Collaborate with other engineering disciplines to coordinate systems activities and ensure thorough, accurate documentation of those activities. 
• Work in an integrated product team to incorporate SMS solutions into products including participation in the assessment of performance. 
• Communicate challenges, approaches, and results both within the team with customers, and support the Project Line Manager in setting and meeting costs and schedules. 
• Maintain knowledge of state-of-the-art signal mitigation system solutions through participation in professional organizations, reading professional publications, maintaining personal networks, and engaging in educational opportunities. 

Position Qualifications

Competency Statement(s)

• Accountability - Ability to accept responsibility and account for his/her actions.  
• Job Knowledge- Understand facets of job, aware of duties and responsibilities, keeps job knowledge current.
• Communication – Ability to communicate thoughts clearly, both oral and written. 
• Dependability – Meets deadlines, works independently, accountable, maintains focus, good attendance record.
• Quality – Strives to eliminate errors, accurate work is a priority, seeks opportunities to improve products/services.
• Ethics – Honest, accountable, maintains confidentiality.  
• Initiative – Acts, seeks new opportunities, strives to see projects to completion.
• Decision Making – Able to reach a decision, takes thoughtful approach when considering others, makes difficult decisions.
• Customer Service – Works well with customers, promotes a positive image of the company, strives to solve issues raised by customers.
• Sales Skills – Understands marketplace, works to meet prospect/customer needs, effective closing technique.
• Technical Skill – Maintains current knowledge of processes/equip, uses technology to increase performance/productivity.

Experience and Skills

• In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.
• 10 to 15 years of experience in RF Antenna design for airborne platforms 
• Active Secret Level (preferred) or ability to qualify for a security clearance. 
• Proactive problem solver with strong attention to detail. 
• Proven track record of solving complex RF and microwave electronic design challenges. 
• Technical expertise in the area of radar cross section (RCS) reduction for radomes and antennas.
• Demonstrated experience in analysis, design, and testing of RF materials, subsystems, and systems, especially for DoD applications, radars, low observables (LO) and signal mitigation systems. 
• Experience developing models and simulations for low observable systems using codes such as SENTRi, HFSS, CST, MATLAB. 
• “Hand’s on” experience in fabrication process development, testing and characterization of LO components, subsystems, and systems.
• Ability to support concurrent activities and tasks in multiple programs. 
• Experience in writing, winning, and executing R&D contracts and grants for DoD and/or other US government agencies. 
• Ability to work with Defense Prime Contractors and DoD SMEs 
• Understanding of electromagnetic fundamentals. 
• Experience in the application of design of experiments (DOE) methodologies 
• Ability to travel, as required, to prospective and existing customers and vendors, attend conferences and trade shows. 
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Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field. 
• Master’s degree and/or PhD highly preferred. 

Antenna Research Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries encourage diversity in the workplace; we are an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Color/Gender/Sexual Orientation/Gender/ Identity/Religion/National Origin/Disability/Veteran