Director of Global Technology Centre
GKN Aerospace
- Westlake, TX
- Permanent
- Full-time
The US GTC Director also provides operational leadership governance for Engineering and Technology activities in the US and specifically demand and resourcing support to US E&T activities as well as governance of the US defense technology portfolio.
The GTC is intended to act as a “facility for knowledge and technology development” supporting all GKN Aerospace business lines to develop technology, products and services ready for insertion into our production facilities.
The role also assists coordination of relationships in the national ecosystem within which the GTC operates to aid in securing research and technology funding leverage (from customers, governments or other approved agencies), technical collaboration partnerships and in the planning and development of strategic capabilities of the GTC.
This role may also provide facilities and support services to host teams from other GKN Aerospace departments and/or external collaboration organizations requiring facilities in which to perform their work including collaborative research and technology developments.Job Responsibilities
- Lead the Development of the GKN Aerospace Global Technical Centers as a collaborative and secure environment within which technology programs can be undertaken.
- For the US GTC Director role; manage and governance of the Defense technology programs/projects conducted within the US GTC. Responsibility for non-Defense projects conducted within the US GTC is with the Technology directors of the relevant business lines.
- Managing the Global Technology Centers within the remit of this role ; Both the office and workshop environments and ensuring they are safe places to work
- Responsible for business management of GTCs (HS&E, strategic planning, budgeting, financial, etc.)
- Recruiting staff with the appropriate skill sets are available to carry out the necessary as requested by the technology teams (e.g. running equipment) and also “local specialists / experts” that are required to be used on multiple programs by the various BL Technology organizations wishing to utilize the GTC facility and expertise.
- Ensuring personal development of staff managed by the GTC
- Ensuring that the GTC has the right equipment and facilities to undertake cutting edge work aligned with the corporate technology strategies.
- Responsible for Workload planning of the GTC to ensure that all strategic developments agreed with the BL Technology Directors and CTO teams can be undertaken.
- Responsible for coordination of the relationships in the national ecosystem within which the GTC operates that pertain to securing funding leverage, collaboration partnerships and in the planning and development of strategic capabilities of the GTC.
- Responsible in understanding the technical capabilities available in their ecosystem (universities, research centers, partnerships etc.) in order to prioritize and build deep relationships, identify opportunities (and risks) and enable collaborations to support GKNs technology teams
- Responsible to ensure that the each GTC facilitates technology development work from across the GKN aerospace regions.
- Establishing and maintaining strategic technology relationship/partnerships with other research institutes / facilities, suppliers and academia
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or similar technical discipline.
- Minimum 10 years' experience in the field of Aerospace Engineering with at least 3 years in a management position with a genuine passion for technology and aerospace products
- 3 years of experience in the execution of large-scale non-recurring projects or of managing relevant design, analysis and/or manufacturing teams within the Aerospace industry.
- Must be a US Citizen
- Knowledge of essentials for managing a R&D facility with respect to H&S, people, finances, operations, facilities and equipment management.
- Operate at a senior level and engage with Customers and Government Bodies such as, Academia, Government and Technologists to maximize added value collaboration and generate the funding streams for the GTC centers.
- The successful candidate will also demonstrate a proven track record of leadership skills and be an effective team player and partner, and demonstration of an immediate sense of urgency, as well as flexibility.
- Excellent Project Management, communication and interpersonal skills.
- Good verbal and written command of English.
- Strong leadership, influencing and communication skills with an approachable personal style with the ability to communicate at all levels across the organization and build strong internal and external relationships in an international environment
- Ability to influence and motivate teams to deliver in line with the quality requirements.
- Experience in the (technical) management of complex organizations.
- Led change across their business unit.
- Experience of EASA/FAA or equivalent defense design office requirements and AS9100D requirements.
- Lean, Six-sigma or similar cont. improvement system qualifications (eg. Black-belt)
- Experience of working in complex multi-national organizational/matrix structures