Branch Head - ELSYS - Colorado Springs, CO - (Open Rank)

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 Electronic Systems Laboratory (ELSYS) is currently seeking a Branch Head for the Space Enterprise Test & Innovation (SETI) Branch in the Integrated Space Systems (ISS) Division. The SETI branch is located in Colorado Springs, CO. The ISS Division is a multi-disciplinary team of engineers dedicated to advancing space-centric solutions through applied research, rapid prototyping, and smart sustainment. Leveraging diverse expertise across engineering, fabrication and assembly, and operations, the team focuses on developing innovative, mission-driven technologies and transitioning them swiftly from concept to real-world deployment. We excel in integrating complex subsystems and delivering operational capabilities that address evolving challenges in the space domain.

The SETI branch serves as a technical partner for space enterprise test and evaluation missions. Through proximity to our space defense sponsors in Colorado Springs, the team delivers hands-on support, real-time collaboration, and responsive technical expertise. The branch combines operational experience and mission knowledge with specialized capabilities in integration, Hardware-in-the-loop testing, and more to provide sponsors with local experts who understand both test infrastructure demands and mission requirements. The team anticipates needs, resolves challenges quickly, and ensures test capabilities reach the mission when and where they are needed most.

Job Purpose

Lead multiple sponsored research projects. Manage Branch (7-15 FTE) administrative activities including hiring, appraisals and sponsored project success.

Additional Responsibilities

• Support training, professional/career development, and mentorship for branch members
• Coordinate with ISS division and branch leaders on business strategy and capture
• Build and strengthen robust research collaboration between SETI and other ISS researchers/programs
• Perform research and development activities alongside the other researchers in SETI
• Develop proposals for new research

Required Minimum Qualifications

• Experience leading small teams > 5 engineers/team members
• Experience leading research or technical development programs
• Experience developing, integrating, and/or testing electronic systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Active TS/SCI Clearance
• Experience and understanding of US Space Force mission and needs
• Experience with sponsor and business development
• Experience technically leading multi-disciplinary teams in executing broad enterprise technology development efforts

Travel Requirements

10% - 25% travel

Education and Length of Experience

This position vacancy is an open-rank announcement. The final job offer will be dependent on candidate qualifications in alignment with Research Faculty Extension Professional ranks as outlined in section 3.2.1 of the Georgia Tech Faculty Handbook

• 5 years of related experience with a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical engineering, Electrical engineering, Computer engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical degree
• 3 years of related experience with a Masters’ degree in Mechanical engineering, Electrical engineering, Computer engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical degree
• 0 years of related experience with a Ph.D. in Mechanical engineering, Electrical engineering, Computer engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical degree

Please refer to our Research Faculty Technical Level Guidelines for minimum requirements at the higher levels.

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 Institute 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 Institute 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.

Equal opportunity and decisions based on merit are fundamental values of the University System of Georgia (“USG”) and Georgia Tech. Georgia Tech prohibits discrimination, including discriminatory harassment, on the basis of an individual’s race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disability, genetics, or veteran status in its programs, activities, employment, and admissions. 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.