Assistant Director Counter-UAS AS6341

Oklahoma State University; Stillwater (OK); On-site; USD 133,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

Oklahoma State University (OSU) is seeking an Assistant Director for the Counter-UAS Center of Excellence to provide strategic leadership and operational management for nationwide research, development, testing, evaluation, and partnerships. This role guides priorities, ensures safe and compliant operations, and strengthens collaboration with universities, industry, military, and public safety partners.

The position oversees day-to-day integration of activities, resources, schedules, and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, aerospace, defense studies, program management, business, public administration, intelligence, or related field.
• Six years of progressive experience leading complex technical or government-related programs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate across multiple organizations, disciplines, and stakeholder groups.

Responsibilities

• Provide operational and strategic leadership for the Center's research, development, testing, evaluation, workforce, and partnerships.
• Translate mission into coordinated priorities and executable plans to strengthen counter-UAS capabilities.
• Oversee day-to-day integration of activities, personnel, resources, schedules, and deliverables.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary work across sensing, tracking, identification, C2, and mitigation.
• Represent Center to leadership and partners; manage risk, resources, and stakeholder commitments.

Skills

Program management

Risk management

Communication

Leadership and coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering / aerospace / defense studies / program management / business / public administration / intelligence

Advanced degree in a relevant field

Job description

Campus

OSU-Stillwater

Contact Name & Email

Jamey Jacob, [e-mail]

Work Schedule

Monday through Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm with occasional evenings and weekends.

Appointment Length

Regular Continuous/Until Further Notice

Hiring Range

$133,000 - $172,000

About This Position

The Assistant Director, Counter-UAS Center of Excellence reports to the Director of Research and Engineering and provides operational and strategic leadership for the Center's research, development, testing, evaluation, workforce, and partnership activities. The position helps translate the Center's mission into coordinated priorities and executable plans that strengthen counter unmanned aircraft systems capabilities and improve collaboration among universities, industry, military, federal, state, and other public safety partners. Working with OAIRE executive leadership and designated technical and program leaders, the Assistant Director oversees the day-to-day integration of Center activities, personnel, resources, schedules, deliverables, and stakeholder commitments. The position supports the evaluation of emerging counter UAS technologies; coordinates multidisciplinary work involving sensing, tracking, identification, command and control, and mitigation; and ensures that Center activities are conducted safely, responsibly, and in accordance with university requirements, contractual obligations, applicable laws, and authorized testing conditions. The Assistant Director serves as a senior representative and escalation point for assigned Center matters, advises leadership on capability gaps, opportunities, risks, resource needs, and helps build the partnerships and workforce pipelines necessary to advance the Center's long-term objectives. Travel may be required for testing, demonstrations, partner engagements, conferences, presentations, and other Center activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's engineering, aerospace, defense studies, program management, business, public administration, intelligence, or a related field. (degree must be conferred on or before agreed upon start date)
• Six years of experience in progressively responsible experience leading complex technical, research, defense, aerospace, public safety, or government related programs and multidisciplinary teams.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate technical and operational work across multiple organizations, disciplines, and stakeholder groups

Additional post-secondary education beyond requirements may substitute for years of required experience.

Skills, Proficiencies, And/or Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of program execution, risk management, test and evaluation, resource planning, and performance reporting.
• Excellent written, oral, presentation, and relationship management skills, including the ability to communicate complex matters to executive, technical, operational, government, and public audiences.
• Ability to exercise discretion, sound judgment, and professionalism when handling sensitive, controlled, proprietary, or mission related information.
• Ability to obtain and maintain any security clearance, access authorization, training, license, or credential required for assigned work.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in a relevant field.
• Experience with counter UAS, air defense, unmanned aircraft systems, radar, radio frequency systems, electronic warfare, sensor integration, command and control, or related technologies.
• Experience supporting Department of Defense, Department of Homeland Security, federal, state, local, tribal, or public safety customers and partners.
• Experience with technology demonstrations, field testing, operational assessments, government contracting, proposal development, or research administration.
• Current or previously held security clearance, when relevant to the Center's work.