Director, Research Engineering & Operations

Job Title

Director, Research Engineering & Operations

Agency

Texas A&M University System Offices

Department

Center for Applied Communications and Networks

Proposed Minimum Salary

Commensurate

Job Location

Bryan, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Job Description

The System Offices is one of several system members within the Texas A&M University System representing one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a network of 12 universities, a comprehensive health science center, nine state agencies, and the RELLIS Campus. The Texas A&M University System mission is to provide education, conduct research, commercialize technology, offer training, and deliver services for the people of Texas and beyond.

The System Offices, within the Texas A&M University System, provides an outstanding benefits package including, but not limited to: competitive health benefits; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; a defined benefit retirement plan to include an employer contribution through Teachers Retirement System of Texas (TRS); if applicable, a defined contribution retirement plan to include an employer contribution through an approved ORP vendor: additional voluntary tax deferred annuity (TDA) options;

tuition assistance; and wellness programs to promote work/life balance.

Salary:

Commensurate with experience.

Job Description

Summary:

The Director, Research Engineering & Operations for the Center for Applied Communications and Networks (CACN), under general direction, provides leadership for and assists the Executive Director with the operation of the Center, and maintains responsibility for the engineering and operations and other assigned functions. The position represents the Executive Director in his/her absence and makes key operations and technical decisions. The duties include basic and applied research, development, testing and evaluation of wireless and wired networks and communications systems and applications for public safety, critical infrastructure, and national defense.

This role utilizes extensive knowledge of existing network systems to lead the design, development, implementation, and testing of creative and innovative solutions to new and emerging challenges in next generation networks. The primary responsibilities include proposing, conducting, and reporting on research initiatives. The role performs as Principal Investigator (Pl), Co-Pl, or subject matter expert on research projects and commercial contracts.

Responsibilities:

65%:
Research Operations

* Serves as a member of the Center's leadership team, leads the operational and engineering functions of the Center, and represents the Executive Director in their absence.

* Leads strategic planning for areas supervised and assists the Executive Director 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 of the Center Provides input to the Center's overall budget.

* Establishes performance goals and KPls to evaluate success for areas of responsibility.

* Participates in funded projects as a Principal Investigator (Pl), Co-Principal Investigator (Co-Pl), 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 on deliverables as appropriate for each project (player/coach). Such activities include working with radios, antennas, servers, battery systems, and other types of devices in the lab or on towers or rooftops. This requires occasionally lifting up to 50 lbs.

* 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 the objectives of the project.

* Completes project deliverables according to executed contracts.

* Stays abreast of…