FAST Labs - Sensing Technologies Campaign Director

Job Description
FAST Labs is a world-class research and microelectronics production organization. Our vision, we secure the future through fearless innovation, fuels our curiosity, and propels our teams to take on never been done before challenges. We believe how we work is just as important as what we work on, and we are guided by three key principles: We are one team who embraces the power of learning and collaboration; We innovate for impact; and Our innovation is multidimensional.

Sitting at the heart of BAE Systems Electronic Systems (ES), FAST Labs provides the next generation of technology across ESs defense and commercial portfolios. We seek to turn groundbreaking research and partnerships into real-life impact for our customers, as we develop advanced capabilities in advanced electronics, EW, sensors and processing, AI, autonomy, RF, EO/IR, cyber, and more. We value internal and external partnerships and collaborate across a broad innovation ecosystem that includes DoW/IC labs and research teams, universities, small businesses, and venture firms/accelerators all in service of developing advanced technologies to enable our nations warfighting mission needs.

The FAST Labs Sensor Technologies (ST) product line develops next-generation lasers, precision optical pointers, advanced multi-model (RF & EO/IR) seekers, expendables and underwater sensors. ST has established itself as a market leader in the development of EO/IR, RF and Acoustic technologies applicable to Army, Navy, Air Force and Space Force missions. Additionally, ST leads BAE Systems and the Defense Industrial Base in the creation and fielding of embedded commercial software mission applications.

FAST Labs is seeking a dynamic and strategic Campaign Director to lead the acceleration of technology capture and the transition of advanced research into scalable warfighter capabilities. This role sits at the intersection of innovative science and business execution, tasked with identifying high-impact funding opportunities and ensuring that cutting-edge laboratory developments successfully transition into operational programs. The ideal candidate is a "thinker-doer" who can both conceptualize original research topics and execute the tactical requirements of winning proposals. You will serve as a strategic bridge between our scientists and the customer, ensuring our technical roadmap is aligned with the highest-priority needs of the defense community.

We are seeking an experienced leader to join our ST Product Line as a Campaign Director. Reporting directly to the Product Line Director (PLD), the Campaign Directors job responsibilities include the following:

• Lead the shaping and capture of business in support of ST mission campaigns.
• In conjunction with the FAST Labs Campaign Director, lead key personnel in ST in analyzing the mission threads and scenarios relevant to ST technology and in brainstorming new capabilities ST could develop to address critical gaps and create new warfighting opportunities.
• Help propagate through the PL descriptions of current and future threats; explain broad operational assessments to ST technologists.
• Possess or develop a deep understanding of the government acquisition system and participate on program teams to develop new business models to transition and mature their capabilities faster and more adaptively.
• Find interim government customers to support development of these business models and other transition experiments, bridging the gap between S&T and a traditional PEO.
• Ability to take this knowledge and apply to current efforts for keep-sold and growth purposes, particularly for programs that are post-seedling phase but pre-franchise.
• Develop and foster an entrepreneurial mindset throughout the PL for developing and executing strategies to rapidly and consistently develop impactful technologies and products and getting those technologies and products across the valley of death.
• Supported by the FAST Labs Campaign Director and other PL Campaign Leads, develop an understand of capabilities in other PLs across FAST Labs and other ES Business Areas to identify opportunities for collaboration and application to/from ST challenges.
• Elevate functional support (contracts, finance, security, business development, tech scouting) into the capture process.
• Provide a strategic filter for IRAD and Bid/Proposal investments.

Because this role involves a combination of collaborative/in-person and independent work, it will take the form of a hybrid work format , with time split between working onsite (about 80%) and remotely.

Required Education, Experience, & Skills
The Campaign Director candidate shall have demonstrated or obtained the following education, experience and skills:

• Bachelors Degree with 12+ years of relevant experience or Masters Degree with 10+ years of relevant experience or PhD with 8+ years of relevant experience.
• Ready-Day-One mindset with ideas and customers to grow the ST CRAD pipeline in campaign-relevant areas.
• Proven success in technology and product development from conception through deployment.
• >12 years of technical and management experience across Research and Development, Engineering Manufacturing and Development, Production, and fielding for the Defense and/or Intelligence markets.
• Ability to think strategically and formulate a strategic vision and strategies, as well as implement actions needed to achieve goals in a changing environment.
• Capability to lead execution and rollout for new strategic initiatives.
• Business and technical leadership, management, and decision making in technology development efforts.
• Strong customer focus, marketing, influencing, and shaping with a demonstrated ability to build and manage relationships across a broad network of customers spanning the highly technical, programmatic, government bureaucratic, and operational users.
• Ability to communicate at all levels within the customer community and the corporate community.
• Business development mindset with in-depth experience in the development of growth strategies.
• Proven ability to share and transfer know-how across organizational boundaries.
• Competent in mentoring, coaching, and team communications.
• Ability to achieve results through others and develop leaders in an organization.
• Active Top Secret DoW clearance.

Preferred Education, Experience, & Skills

• Advanced degree in electrical engineering, aerospace engineering, computer science, operations research, mathematics, physics or similar technical major.
• US government or military service as an operator and/or program manager.
• Experience leading a diverse organization across multiple geographic business sites.
• Domain expertise in one or more of the following areas: Electronic Warfare, Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, Mission Planning, Data Analytics.
• Program management and leadership of S&T or EMD program execution.
• Entrepreneurial experience.

Pay Information
Full-Time Salary Range: $173023 - $294137

Please note: This range is based on our market pay structures. However, individual salaries are determined by a variety of factors including, but not limited to: business considerations, local market conditions, and internal equity, as well as candidate qualifications, such as skills, education, and experience.

Employee Benefits: At BAE Systems, we support our employees in all aspects of their life, including their health and financial well-being. Regular employees scheduled to work 20+ hours per week are offered: health, dental, and vision insurance; health savings accounts; a 401(k) savings plan; disability coverage; and life and accident insurance. We also have an employee assistance program, a legal plan, and other perks including discounts on things like home, auto, and pet insurance. Our leave programs include paid time off, paid holidays, as well as other types of leave, including paid parental, military, bereavement, and any applicable federal and state sick leave. Employees may participate in the company recognition program to receive monetary or non-monetary recognition awards. Other incentives may be available based on position level and/or job specifics.

About BAE Systems, Inc.
BAE Systems, Inc. is a defense, aerospace, and security company headquartered in Falls Church, Virginia, with more than 40,000 employees worldwide. We serve, supply, and protect those who protect us. As one of the most geographically diverse international defense companies, we deliver a full range of products and services spanning air, land, maritime, space, and cyber, including advanced electronics, intelligence solutions, and dedicated customer support.

Our culture is performance-driven and values-led, built on curiosity, creativity, and collaboration. Purpose isn't a tagline here. It's what drives us. We're developing breakthrough technologies that defend national security and make a lasting impact on our communities and our planet. When you join BAE Systems, you're not just building a career. You're contributing to a mission that truly matters.

This position will be posted for at least 5 calendar days. The posting will remain active until the position is filled, or a qualified pool of candidates is identified.