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Intellisense Systems, Inc.   is a privately held company with a proven track record of developing and deploying innovative products that successfully operate in the most extreme environments.    We are a fast-growing Southern California technology innovator that solves tough, mission-critical challenges for our customers in the aerospace, defense, and commercial markets.    We design, develop, and manufacture advanced products for ground, maritime, and airborne applications.

We’re seeking a Director, R&D to lead a diverse and dynamic team in developing innovative technologies across the aerospace and defense sector. This role is critical to propelling technical innovation, securing development funding, and transitioning new technologies into deployable products. You will guide the team in applying technical expertise to pursue, capture, and execute a variety of research and development programs, with a focus on identifying strategic opportunities and preparing winning proposals.

In this role, you will provide hands-on leadership and mentorship to engineers and scientists, develop and oversee R&D strategy, and engage closely with business development to align with evolving market and customer needs. A successful candidate will bring a broad and deep understanding of multidisciplinary engineering and R&D practices, along with strong business and proposal acumen.

This is an on-site role located in Torrance, CA.

Responsibilities:

+ Lead the pursuit, capture, and execution of R&D programs in defense and adjacent markets, with a focus on innovation and strategic growth.

+ Drive technical leadership, strategy, and execution for advanced research and technology development.

+ Develop a pipeline of technologies aligned with company objectives and support their transition to engineering and production.

+ Provide mentorship and professional development to engineering and scientific staff, fostering a high-performing and innovative culture.

+ Write, lead, and review proposals for SBIR and non-SBIR opportunities, including all technical and management volumes.

+ Support internal and external customer engagements to shape technology needs and communicate technical capabilities.

+ Collaborate with Business Development to craft and execute capture strategies for new and follow-on opportunities.

+ Continuously improve departmental practices in project execution, R&D processes, and technology development.

+ Represent the company in technical forums, industry panels, and conferences to establish thought leadership.

+ Conduct performance evaluations and career development plans for direct reports.

+ Perform additional duties in support of departmental and corporate goals.

Requirements:

Technical Skills:

+ M.S. in Physics, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical field (PhD preferred).

+ Minimum 10 years of related experience, with at least 3 years in technical, project, or functional leadership roles.

+ Deep understanding of multiple engineering disciplines (mechanical, electrical, systems, software/firmware).

+ Strong knowledge of government-funded R&D programs, contract types, and technology development milestones.

+ Familiarity with SBIR programs and transition processes.

+ Proficiency in MS Office, CAD tools, MS Project, and other R&D support tools.

People & Communication Skills:

+ Proven leadership and mentoring skills to guide diverse engineering teams and cultivate innovation.

+ Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to lead technical proposal efforts and present to stakeholders.

+ Collaborative and inclusive mindset, with experience building consensus across technical and non-technical stakeholders.

+ Excellent time management, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.

Nice To Haves:

+ Demonstrated success in securing and executing government R&D contracts.

+ Experience preparing marketing demo units and engaging with customers at the opportunity capture stage.

What You Can Expect:

+ An opportunity to shape and deliver next-generation technologies with strategic impact.

+ A leadership team that values innovation, technical excellence, and professional growth.

+ The ability to influence company direction through technical vision and execution.

+ A culture committed to solving real-world problems through creativity and technical rigor.

Pay Range:

$175,000-$240,000

However, base salary for this position will vary based on your skills, qualifications, and experience.

Benefits:

+ 4 Weeks PTO a year (including 40 hours of PTO your first day)

+ 10 paid holidays

+ 401(k) with 100% employer matching up to 4% of salary (no vesting period)

+ Multiple options for Medical, Vision, Dental Insurance plans

+ Health Savings Accounts

+ Flexible Spending Accounts

+ Tuition Assistance (30% of Tuition with a minimum qualifying grade)

+ 100% Paid Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

+ 100% Paid Basic Life and AD&D Insurance

+ 100% Paid Workers Compensation Insurance

+ Voluntary Life Insurance

The unique culture at Intellisense offers the entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller company with the support and expertise of a larger organization. We are looking for individuals that have a wide breadth of experience while also being subject matter experts in their respective field.

With an immediate 40-hours of paid time off and 100% 401(k) matching up to 4% of your annual salary without a vesting period, we recognize that employees are our greatest resource and that finding the right individuals will make our company even better.

If you require reasonable accommodation in completing this application, interviewing, completing any pre-employment testing, or otherwise participating in the employee selection process, please contact us by phone at 424-319-7813 or by email at  [email protected]

Unless otherwise stated in the requirements section of an individual job listing, our positions require U.S. Citizenship, U.S. Permanent Residency, or other status as a U.S. Person as defined by 8 USC 1324b(a)(3). Intellisense Systems, Inc is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) employer and welcomes all qualified applicants. Applicants will receive fair and impartial consideration without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic data, or other legally protected status.

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