Overview:

The Georgia Tech Research Institute (GTRI) is the nonprofit, applied research division of the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech). Founded in 1934 as the Engineering Experiment Station, GTRI has grown to more than 2,900 employees, supporting eight laboratories in over 20 locations around the country and performing more than $940 million of problem-solving research annually for government and industry. GTRI's renowned researchers combine science, engineering, economics, policy, and technical expertise to solve complex problems for the U.S. federal government, state, and industry.   

Georgia Tech's Mission and Values

Georgia Tech's mission is to develop leaders who advance technology and improve the human condition. The Institute has nine key values that are foundational to everything we do: 

1. Students are our top priority.
2. We strive for excellence.
3. We thrive on diversity.
4. We celebrate collaboration.
5. We champion innovation.
6. We safeguard freedom of inquiry and expression.
7. We nurture the wellbeing of our community.
8. We act ethically.
9. We are responsible stewards.

Over the next decade, Georgia Tech will become an example of inclusive innovation, a leading technological research university of unmatched scale, relentlessly committed to serving the public good; breaking new ground in addressing the biggest local, national, and global challenges and opportunities of our time; making technology broadly accessible; and developing exceptional, principled leaders from all backgrounds ready to produce novel ideas and create solutions with real human impact.

Project/Unit Description

The Electro-Optical Infrared Systems Division (EISD) performs research in all areas related to active and passive sensor systems. From basic geometric/radiometric modeling and analysis, through design and fabrication, to test and evaluation in the field, our team provides subject matter expertise to our customers in order to solve their most challenging problems in undersea, ground, airborne, and space domains. EISD is a collection of multi-discipline engineers and scientists encompassing optical, physics, mechanical, electrical, computer, and software domains, among others. Our portfolio consists of research programs in and related to: Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR); Undersea Warfare; Atmospheric Optics; Tactical Imaging, e.g. Degraded Visual Environments (DVE); Automatic Target Recognition; Intelligence Processing, Exploitation, and Dissemination (PED); Free-space Optical Communications; Space Situational Awareness (SSA); Tagging, Tracking, and Locating (TTL); LIDAR; Remote Sensing; High-energy laser systems; etc.

Job Purpose

The Division Chief Scientist helps direct and oversees the division’s internal research and development (IRAD) program. The division chief scientist ensures IRAD activities will maintain and grow the division’s competitive position by: formulating and executing key elements of the division’s strategy, working closely with researchers and unit leads in the alignment of IRAD with other investments and awards, developing collaborations across other labs (Division Chief Scientists in particular), representing the division’s opportunities and challenges through reporting to the Lab Chief Scientist, and connecting with the broader research and sponsor community.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to the development and implementation of overall research strategy for the division and lab in the areas of active and passive sensing, including generation of ideas for research projects and programs, advising on the prioritization of investments, identification of new opportunities, and building and maintaining relationships with relevant stakeholders.
• Contribute to talent development of researchers through guidance and mentorship during the entire IRAD life cycle, during submission of abstracts, white papers, and proposals, and during professional development activities.
• Perform as a subject matter expert for research projects.
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned.

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Subject matter expert in (EO)/Infrared (IR) sensor systems (e.g. imaging systems, LIDAR).
• Proven track record of turning IRAD investment into sponsored research.
• Experience leading business development activities and sponsor engagement, including writing proposals and whitepapers.
• Proven track record of strategic planning and vision setting for small to medium sized organizational units.
• Ability to create and deliver engaging technical presentations.
• Experience facilitating dialogue, collaboration, and partnerships among research personnel and external stakeholders, including senior-level government sponsors, industry, and/or academia.
• Ability to obtain and maintain a DoD TS/SCI Security Clearance.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Doctoral Degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• Proven track record of developing business with Department of Defense and Intelligence Community sponsors.
• History of leading teams and executing on large, complex IRAD and external Department of Defense programs.
• Experience with contracting, proposals, and contract management.
• Expertise in modeling, simulation, or analysis of EO/IR systems.
• Publication record as evident through open and closed peer reviewed journals, conferences, workshops, and technical reports.
• Experience developing and socializing IRAD proposals in a matrixed organization performing applied research.

Travel Requirements

10% - 25% travel

Education and Length of Experience

• 9 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 7 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.
• 4 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Optical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical discipline.

U.S. Citizenship Requirements

Due to our research contracts with the U.S. federal government, candidates for this position must be U.S. Citizens.

Clearance Type Required

Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain an active security clearance.

Benefits at GTRI

Comprehensive information on currently offered GTRI benefits, including Health & Welfare, Retirement Plans, Tuition Reimbursement, Time Off, and Professional Development, can be found through this link: https://benefits.hr.gatech.edu/.

Equal Employment Opportunity

The Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. The University is committed to maintaining a fair and respectful environment for all. To that end, and in accordance with federal and state law, Board of Regents policy, and University policy, Georgia Tech provides equal opportunity to all faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including applicants for admission and/or employment, contractors, volunteers, and participants in institutional programs, activities, or services.  Georgia Tech complies with all applicable laws and regulations governing equal opportunity in the workplace and in educational activities.

Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions.  This prohibition applies to faculty, staff, students, and all other members of the Georgia Tech community, including affiliates, invitees, and guests. Further, Georgia Tech prohibits citizenship status, immigration status, and national origin discrimination in hiring, firing, and recruitment, except where such restrictions are required in order to comply with law, regulation, executive order, or Attorney General directive, or where they are required by Federal, State, or local government contract.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.