Assistant Group Leader, Controls, Autonomy, and Robotics

The Control & Autonomous Systems Engineering Group (Group 76) is seeking an Assistant Group Leader to foster innovation and drive future prototyping work in embedded electronics, embedded software, and controls for programs ranging from rapid prototypes to Level 1 across the entire Laboratory’s portfolio.

 

At MIT Lincoln Laboratory, the Assistant Group Leader (AGL) position is an experienced leadership role that involves visioning, strategy development, and direction-setting across multiple technical thrusts, and day-to-day management of projects and people for a Technical Group. AGLs work collaboratively with the Group Leader, other AGLs, technical program managers, administrative staff, and cross-Laboratory partners on technical programs.  AGLs also collaborate with U.S. government agencies and external partners to identify needs, develop innovative technical solutions, lead challenging prototype development efforts, and assist in staff career development.

 

Group 76 is a critical component within Lincoln’s Engineering Division with a large concentration of Electrical Engineers, Computer Scientists, Controls Engineers, and Roboticists. We are tightly coupled with programs in autonomous systems and complex prototypes that leverage the full spectrum of engineering disciplines and research areas—including mechanical, structures, thermal, optics, electrical, software, materials, fabrication, and systems engineering functions—to conceive and craft solutions as fieldable prototypes for a wide range of mission areas spanning space, air, land, and maritime environments.

 

The Group leadership and staff play a key interfacing role to develop awareness and understanding of problems that internal and external sponsors and stakeholders face that can be solved by the Group.  Group personnel also work directly with end-users of prototype systems to develop insights into the end-use field environments and to conduct real-world testing. Members of the Group may also interface with private sector vendors, industry consortia, academia, and other government Laboratories.

 

As an element of the Group’s continued strategic development, the new AGL will:

 

1. Shape the ongoing and future portfolio of programs via strengthened ties to mission partners and external sponsors;
2. Hire / develop a strong team of technical leaders that positions the group to drive the entire Lab’s capabilities in embedded electronics and software, particularly in the area of complex prototypes (e.g. Level 1).
3. Establish a research footprint for Embedded systems by leading and growing the Engineering Frontier in Embedded Computation and Electronics for Complex Prototypes.
4. Define the Group’s digital strategy for embedded systems to increase execution efficiency and drive adoption across the Lab community.

MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:

 

1. Technical leadership and strategy

• Lead the strategy development and implementation of modern embedded electronics and embedded software to enhance the Laboratory’s ability to innovate across multiple mission areas.  Strengthen relationships with sponsors and mission partners across the Lab. Particular emphasis on complex prototypes and those involving space flight hardware/software.
• Leverage experience to provide direction and guidance on program execution and suggest solutions and approaches to challenging technical problems. Review and provide feedback on execution plans and implementation to ensure project success. Recommend the application of best practices and consideration of past lessons-learned.
• Lead and grow the Engineering Frontier in Embedded Computation and Electronics for Complex Prototypes. This internal funding source (similar to “Line funding”) should pull research ideas from across the Division and Laboratory to establish a research outlet for strong staff that can drive the state of practice forward.
• Define the Group’s strategy for integrating modern techniques such as model-based design principles and digital engineering in the early phases of design and prototyping. These capabilities apply to a variety of missions and promise to improve the Lab’s ability to adapt to changing requirements, increase efficiency of execution, and enable future programs to leverage heritage designs.

 

2. Program management

• Lead the development and execution of programs across all phases (e.g. concept development through deployment and technology transfer).
• Contribute to program planning (e.g. schedule / budget, proposal briefings, statements of work, staffing and financial plans)
• Build strong teams that demonstrate ownership and technical excellence. Adapt and optimize staff assignments to meet shifting program needs and staff growth.

• Develop, review, and provide briefings