Technical Director - Counter Drone & Border Surveillance

Technical Director – Counter Drone & Border Surveillance

Location: Gilbert, Arizona (Onsite)

Salary Range: $180,000 – $200,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Vice President of Engineering, the Technical Director leads the architecture, integration, testing, and deployment of advanced C5ISR border and perimeter surveillance and Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (Counter-UAS) solutions.

This role translates customer mission requirements into scalable, resilient systems integrating radar, electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, communications, command and control (C2), artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) analytics, networking, cybersecurity, edge computing, and operator applications.

This hands-on role leads product and solution development, research and development (R&D), technical customer and industry engagement, and collaboration with business and program teams.

Key focus areas include sensor integration, secure communications, command and control, hybrid power generation, border and perimeter security and surveillance in urban and austere environments, and Counter-UAS detect, track, identify, and defeat systems.

Key Responsibilities

Systems Architecture & Technical Strategy

• Lead end-to-end system architecture and technical strategy across integrated hardware and software solutions.
• Translate customer and mission requirements into system designs, interfaces, and technical roadmaps.
• Resolve complex technical challenges involving interoperability, performance, scalability, and reliability.

Systems Engineering, Integration & Deployment

• Direct system integration, verification, validation, testing, and field deployment activities.
• Provide hands-on leadership across systems engineering, software, sensors, communications, AI/ML, cybersecurity, and integration teams.

Customer Engagement & Innovation

• Support customer engagements, technical reviews, demonstrations, proposals, and new business pursuits.
• Evaluate emerging technologies and drive innovation across surveillance and C5ISR solutions.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience developing and integrating complex defense, aerospace, C5ISR, surveillance, communications, or mission-critical systems.
• Proven experience leading integrated hardware and software solutions from concept through deployment.
• Strong background in systems engineering, integration and testing, and requirements management.
• Ability to provide both strategic technical leadership and hands-on engineering support.
• Customer-focused approach: provide accurate information, meet commitments, identify appropriate solutions and services, and adjust based on customer feedback.
• Must be a U.S. citizen and able to obtain a government security clearance.
• Must be able to work full-time on-site in Gilbert, AZ.

Compensation

Salary Range: $180,000 – $200,000.

Salary for this position is determined by a variety of factors, including but not limited to geographic location, the candidate's experience, education, skills, leadership scope, and the specific requirements of the company's programs and contracts.

Benefits

Eligible employees (30+ hours/week) may enroll in benefits starting the first of the month after hire. Offerings include:

• Multiple Medical, Dental, and Vision plan options
• Prescription coverage with mail-order option
• Short-Term and Long-Term Disability, Life, and Voluntary Insurance
• 401(k) with John Hancock (eligible after 6 months)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Wellness and Employee Discount programs
• Paid Time Off (2 weeks), 3 Sick Days (prorated), and Paid Holidays, including Winter Break (Dec 24–31)
• Semi-monthly payroll (10th & 25th)