Research and Development Engineer jobs in Santa Maria, CA

About WhiteFox Defense 

WhiteFox Defense is a leading innovator in counter-drone technology, offering solutions that protect people and critical infrastructure from the growing threats posed by unauthorized drones. As we advance in our mission to safeguard airspace with state-of-the-art drone mitigation systems, we seek a strategic and visionary Vice President of Research & Development (VP of R&D) to spearhead the growth of our product line, foster innovation, and drive technological breakthroughs that will shape the future of counter-drone solutions.

Job Summary 

The VP of R&D will oversee the research and development division, managing all stages of product development from ideation to launch. This leader will collaborate cross-functionally to align technology initiatives with business goals, ensuring WhiteFox remains at the forefront of drone defense technology. The VP of R&D will lead a team of engineers, guiding them through complex challenges and driving the development of reliable, scalable, and cutting-edge solutions.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic R&D Leadership: 

• Develop and implement R&D strategies aligned with WhiteFox’s mission, market needs, and business objectives.
• Identify and assess emerging technologies, ensuring that R&D efforts are future-oriented and continuously evolving.
• Collaborate with executive leadership to define R&D objectives and key results aligning them with overall company goals.

Product Innovation and Development: 

• Oversee the end-to-end product development process, from conceptualization to production and post-launch refinement.
• Lead efforts in designing advanced counter-drone technology, ensuring products are reliable, compliant, and exceed industry standards.
• Leverage data analytics, machine learning, and AI to enhance product capabilities and improve threat detection, analysis, and mitigation functionalities.

Team Leadership and Development: 

• Recruit, mentor, and retain top talent within the R&D team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and continuous learning.
• Establish clear goals, provide constructive feedback, and ensure all team members are equipped to excel in their roles.
• Develop structured training and development plans to keep the team updated on the latest technologies and industry best practices.

Collaboration and Cross-Functional Partnerships: 

• Work closely with Engineering and Leadership Team to ensure a seamless integration between research, product development, and operations.
• Communicate complex technical concepts effectively to non-technical stakeholders, providing insight into R&D progress, milestones, and challenges.
• Engage with external partners, including academic institutions, research organizations, and industry experts, to identify collaborative R&D opportunities.

Budget Management and Resource Allocation: 

• Develop and manage the R&D budget, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to meet project timelines and quality standards.
• Monitor spending adjust resource allocation as necessary and identify cost-saving measures without compromising innovation or quality.
• Report regularly to the CTO and executive leadership team on R&D expenditure, forecasting, and resource requirements.

IP and Compliance: 

• Drive initiatives to secure intellectual property (IP) for WhiteFox's proprietary technology, managing patents and other IP assets.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, regulatory requirements, and certifications, particularly those related to defense and aviation.

Risk Assessment and Management: 

• Identify and assess risks within the R&D and Product lifecycles, developing mitigation strategies to minimize project delays, cost overruns, and technical challenges.
• Stay informed about global security trends, threat models, and the evolving regulatory landscape affecting counter-drone technology.

Qualifications

• Experience in Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field; relevant business qualification is a plus.
• 12 years of experience in R&D leadership, with at least 5 years in a VP or senior R&D role in a related industry (defense, aerospace, AI/ML, cybersecurity).
• Proven track record of developing innovative products, taking them from concept through to successful commercialization.
• Strong technical background, with expertise in hardware and software development, data science, AI/ML, and/or cybersecurity.
• Experience managing cross-functional teams and a large R&D budget.
• Strong business acumen, with the ability to align R&D strategy with company goals and manage R&D resources effectively.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire a team, influence stakeholders, and drive results.

Key Competencies

• Visionary Thinking: Ability to anticipate future market trends, customer needs, and technological advancements.
• Innovative Mindset: A creative approach to problem-solving, with the ability to foster innovation and adapt quickly to change.
• Collaborative Leadership: Skilled in building relationships and leading cross-functional initiatives to achieve collective goals.
• Decision Making: Strong analytical skills with the capacity to make informed decisions in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.
• Technical Prowess: In-depth knowledge of emerging technologies relevant to radio systems, counter-drone defense, cybersecurity, and machine learning.

Compensation

• Competitive salary offered
• Company stock options
• 401K with 4% Matching or Roth IRA options
• Health, Vision, Dental, Life, and AD&D Insurance
• Unlimited PTO