Director, Strategic Technologies

A leader in technology and innovation, Southwire Company, LLC is one of North America’s largest wire and cable producers. Southwire and its subsidiaries manufacture building wire and cable, utility products, metal-clad cable, portable and electronic cord products, OEM wire products and engineered products. In addition, Southwire supplies assembled products, contractor equipment, electrical components, hand tools andjobsite power and lighting solutions. The company also offers digital solutions including contractor planning and utility grid resiliency as well as field services including cable testing, rejuvenation and replacement to support our customers as a value-add partner.

We are proud to offer competitive compensation, employee benefits, tuition reimbursement and unlimited growth opportunities. Ourmore thanseven decades of progressive growth can be attributed to our determination to developing innovative systems and solutions, exercising environmental stewardship and enhancing the well-being ofthe communities in which we work and live.

How will you power what’spossible?

Location:

Cofer Center

Southwire is seeking a Ph.D. physicist, engineer, or applied scientist to identify and develop the scientific and technological innovations most likely to shape the future of electrical infrastructure, energy systems, and adjacent markets. The Director, Strategic Technologies will look beyond traditional technology scouting to evaluate emerging opportunities, validate their technical and commercial viability, and advance high-potential concepts into products, intellectual property, strategic partnerships, and new business platforms.

The ideal candidate will bring exceptional technical depth, intellectual curiosity, strategic thinking, and business acumen, with a demonstrated ability to translate breakthrough technologies into meaningful growth opportunities for Southwire.

• Identify developments in computing, data centers, electrification, energy systems, power delivery, advanced manufacturing, and adjacent scientific fields that could create significant opportunities or challenges for Southwire.
• Formulate critical technical questions before they are fully recognized by the market and establish disciplined programs to investigate them.
• Apply first-principles analysis, modeling, simulation, experimentation, and customer insight to evaluate technical feasibility, commercial relevance, and strategic potential.
• Leverage AI-assisted analysis of research literature, patents, startups, competitor activity, and market developments to identify meaningful trends and distinguish durable opportunities from speculation.
• Develop and manage a focused portfolio of strategic technology initiatives with clear hypotheses, milestones, decision criteria, and pathways to business value.
• Identify emerging technologies and recommend the appropriate path forward, including internal development, strategic partnerships, licensing, investment, or acquisition.
• Provide rigorous technical evaluation and due diligence for potential partnerships, investments, licensing opportunities, acquisitions, and other strategic innovation initiatives.
• Collaborate with the Director, Advanced Materials & Computational Sciences to translate future system requirements into material, process, manufacturing, and technology capabilities.
• Partner with business, technology, and commercial leaders to assess future opportunities and support the development of long-term growth platforms for Southwire.
• Establish and maintain a prioritized portfolio of future opportunities supported by evidence of technical feasibility, customer value, competitive advantage, and clear investment recommendations within the first year.
• Performs other…