R&D Manager (Research and Development)

Armtec Defense Technologies (Armtec) is an operating unit of the Transdigm Group (NYSE: TDG), an industry leader in aerospace and defense products and services. Armtec is comprised of three business

units producing subcomponents for ordnance in Coachella, CA; decoy countermeasure Flares in Camden AR; and radar countermeasure chaff in Lillington NC. At Armtec, we welcome skilled and enthusiastic people who share our determination and high standards to join us in our mission-critical work supporting the US and allied war-fighters who serve us all by defending democracy and protecting freedom. This position is staffed in Camden, AR., at Armtec’s world-class facility for decoy countermeasure Flares. 

Company Profile

Company: Armtec Defense Technologies is an operating unit of the TransDigm Group (NYSE:TDG

Industry: Manufacturing Combustible Ordnance and Countermeasures

Job Overview

Title:   R&D Manager

Job Family: Engineering

Reports to: Director of Engineering

Works with: Mid-level Managers & Supervisors, Engineering Staff

Location: East Camden, AR  

Type: Full Time

The R&D Manager will manage R&D projects/programs as assigned and serve as supervisor over all personnel at R-1, including engineers, chemists, technicians, etc.  This will require coordinating these resources to achieve R&D objectives as efficiently as possible and ensuring these personnel have the training, tools, and environment to perform their jobs. 

Primary Responsibilities

• Supervise activities of R&D personnel, including performing annual performance reviews and providing other performance feedback as required.
• Provide training, tools, and environment for direct reports to be able to accomplish their tasks.
• Resolve personnel issues for direct reports.
• Review and approve timecards for direct reports.  Ensure direct reports are charging time to appropriate jobs.
• Establish technology roadmaps and drive product development efforts for profitable new business based on customer and marketing department inputs.
• Develop, execute, and monitor R&D budget.
• Coordinate daily activities (with input from other R&D personnel and Main Plant personnel) of direct reports to efficiently accomplish R&D objectives, which include R&D project work, product acceptance testing, ignition composition blending, and chemical lab activities.  Attend Main Plant production meetings as required.
• Act as primary point of contact between Main Plant Operations and R-1 for operational needs.
• Use standard project management techniques to drive assigned projects to completion on schedule and budget.
• Provide technical expertise as appropriate to support R&D objectives.

Secondary Responsibilities

• Participate in R&D and manufacturing lean events.
• Daily execution within the Armtec Operating System.  Communicate and reinforce AOS through demonstrated commitment to the prescribed principles, tactics, and behaviors. 
• Ensure Compliance with EH&S, Trade Right, Ethics and Business Conduct, Operations Policy and all established operating procedures.
• Escalate issues to Department Director and Senior Management as required in an effective and timely manner.

Qualifications

• Understand IRCM principles and role of decoy flares.
• Familiar with Armtec product lines and manufacturing processes.
• Able to organize, prioritize, and manage a multitude of projects.
• Comfortable working with financial data and developing financial plans.
• Business acumen.
• Excellent at problem solving.
• Able to coach/mentor others.
• Highly proficient with Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Sharepoint, Outlook
• Technical report writing.
• Communicate effectively in both oral and written form.

 Armtec Competencies
Demonstrated ability in the core competencies:

• Customer Focus: Employee knows and understands the needs of internal and external customers, is results oriented, and works hard to consistently provide exceptional service.
• Ethics and Values: Adheres to an effective set of core values and beliefs and acts in accordance.  He or she rewards the right values and disapproves of others.
• Problem Solving: Looks beyond the obvious to find effective solutions.
• Integrity and Trust: Is widely trusted and seen as direct and truthful.
• Functional/Technical Skills: Possesses the skills to be effective in the job.  He or she has the skills to perform the job at a high level of accomplishment.
• Listening: Practices active and attentive listening; is able to hear the views of others. He or she is action-oriented, full of energy, and willing to take action.
• Composure: Cool under pressure, not knocked off balance by the unexpected, is a settling influence.
• Values & Diversity: Supports fair and equal treatment for all.

Education/Previous Experience Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Science or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years experience (10 years preferred) in the pyrotechnic and/or IR countermeasures field or other related fields.
• Experience supervising/mentoring others.

Work Hours

• 4/10 workweek

• To Apply
• Please apply on-line on the Armtec Career Website, www.armtecdefense.com  
• Equal Opportunity Employer M/F/Disability/Protected Vet

• • Must be authorized to work in the U.S.
  • To conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorization from the U.S. Government