Director R&T (f/m/d)

The Director R&T is a strategic engineering leader and will be responsible for the R&T team, which aims at supporting the development of company business strategy and technologies. Works in collaboration with operational and engineering leaders of the Connectivity Product Line, in the creation and continual development of strategy and technology roadmaps.

Main Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Contribute to the strategic generation of Intellectual Property and support the patent process
• Identify R&T activities relevant to the long term product strategy of the Connectivity Product Line
• Contribute to the MTP (Mid-Term Plan) strategy of the company
• Drive technology scouting in the team
• Manage the TRL (Technology Readiness Level) process according to the Group guidelines
• Establish and maintain links with strategic industry and research partners in the German and European arena
• Maintain an active and healthy relationship with industrial and governmental bodies cofunding R&T activities
• Monitor public European and German co-funding calls and select relevant ones for proposal submission aligned the company’s strategy
• Interface with the finance team to facilitate financial reporting of co-funding activities
• Define and implement a scientific publications strategy in the R&T team
• Responsible for the co-definition and achievement of KPIs in the R&T team
• Supervise the work of R&T team members in order to facilitate productivity, including the development of work schedules according to budgets and workloads
• Coaching and mentoring of the team, providing employees with guidance in handling difficult or complex problems
• Train and instruct employees in job duties (technical, non-technical)
• Be the main contact point for employees for feedback, problems, escalation and strategic decision
• Conduct feedback meetings and annual reviews
• Identify, plan and request department and individual training needs
• Create, maintain, and adhere to the team budget
• Identify, plan and request personnel resources for the team
• Evaluate employees’ job performance and recommend and participate to personnel actions, such as hiring, termination, promotions
• Responsible for the application of occupational health and safety laws as well as for the well-being of the team
• Be a role model: Facilitate discussion and conflict resolution, and enforce professional behavior, expectations, and group values
• Continuously contribute to improve established processes

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications:

• PhD in an Engineering field, preferably in Communications or Electrical Engineering
• 10+ years of experience, preferably in a Communications Engineering, Aerospace or similar environment
• 7 years of experience working in a Management role
• 3-5 years of experience establishing and maintaining budgets

Soft Skills:

• Strong written and verbal English communication skills
• Solid German communication skills
• Active listener
• Must be proactive, meticulous, organized, and detail oriented
• Ability to mentor and guide team members
• Ability to build, lead and motivate teams
• Effective conflict resolution and strong problem-solving skills
• Ability to adapt, plan and organize in a constantly changing business environment
• Ability to accomplish multiple tasks effectively and efficiently
• Ability to use discretion and independent judgment when making decisions on behalf of the company

Benefits

You will have the opportunity to contribute to challenging tasks in the field of Aviation and Inflight Entertainment technologies. Our success lies in our people. We are an equal opportunity employer that values diversity. Be part of an innovation-driven company culture and a dynamic international team of experts whose working language is English...and Bavarian (nur wennst konnst und mogst).

Working at SPI means:

• Enjoying flexible working hours in a friendly family atmosphere
• Having a hybrid work set up
• Being flexible to work up to 4 weeks per year from EU-countries
• Having a fantastic team to work with
• Having an open-door policy
• Benefiting from training and career development opportunities
• Receiving great Benefits Offer (childcare support, home office allowance, relocation support, E-Gym Wellpass, and many more)
• Working by the P&P rule - Productivity and Party - be productive but also enjoy events like Family BBQ, Octoberfest, X-mas party, team events