Director, Research Engineering & Operations

Job Title

Director, Research Engineering & Operations

Bryan, Texas

The Director, Research Engineering & Operations for the Center for Applied Communications and Networks (CACN) will provide leadership for and assist the Executive Director with the operation of the Center, maintain responsibility for engineering and operations, and lead research, development, testing, and evaluation of wireless and wired networks and communications systems for public safety, critical infrastructure, and national defense.

• 65% Research Operations
  • Serves as a member of the Center's leadership team, leads the operational and engineering functions and represents the Executive Director in their absence.
  • Leads strategic planning for supervised areas and assists in developing and implementing an overall departmental strategic plan.
  • Prepares budgets, allocates resources, and conducts planning for areas supervised to meet short-term needs and long-term sustainability, while providing input to the Center's overall budget.
  • Establishes performance goals and KPIs to evaluate success for areas of responsibility.
  • Participates in funded projects as Principal Investigator, Co‑Principal Investigator, senior personnel, subject matter expert, or collaborator.
  • Directs engineering and operations staff, ensures efficient workflows, and oversees data collection, analysis, and reporting for research projects; assigns responsibilities and monitors performance of project personnel.
  • Conducts own research, engineering, and operations activities, develops required reports, and executes deliverables for each project.
  • Supports other principal investigators and clients in RDT&E efforts, both directly and by assigning engineering and operations staff.
  • Produces research and contract products as needed to meet project objectives and completes deliverables according to executed contracts.
  • Stays abreast of developments in the field and ensures the engineering and operations team maintains current subject‑matter expertise.
• 10% Outreach
  • Attends and presents at conferences as assigned.
  • Publishes articles in trade and professional journals as appropriate.
  • Represents the center to the University, State and Federal agencies, and industry associations as assigned.
  • Serves on U.S. and International Standards Committees as requested and on OHS, DoD, FCC, and other federal advisory boards and committees as appointed.
• 10% Research Development Support
  • Assists with definition of technical and operational requirements and innovative solutions.
  • Assists with writing proposal content, including technical and operational narratives, budgets, budget justifications, and other required content.
• 10% Supervision and Training
  • Recruit, hire, and supervise engineering and operations team members.
  • Model ethical, regulatory, and performance standards.
  • Promote open sharing of information, dedication to the team’s mission, customer commitment, collaboration, and cooperation.
  • Participate in training and professional development with emphasis on next‑generation networking and communications systems, leadership development, and engineering and operations management.
  • Conduct professional development trainings for team members.
  • Oversee and manage personnel issues.
• 5% Other Duties
  • Performs other duties as assigned.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or closely related field.
• Ten years of progressively responsible, successful, and related management, administrative, and operational experience leading wireless and transport network engineering teams in research, development, testing and evaluation projects, including at least five years of managing other team leaders and managers.
• At least five years of experience in the design, development and deployment of public safety, defense, and/or critical infrastructure communications systems.

• Ability to obtain at least a Secret‑level U.S. security clearance based on a background investigation.
• Must be legally authorized to travel internationally and possess or be eligible to obtain necessary travel documents required for this position.