Executive Director, Iridium System Architecture

Executive Director, Iridium System Architecture

Job Locations: US-VA-McLean | US-AZ-Chandler

Job ID: 2024-3584

Category: Engineering

Worker Category: Regular Full-Time[F]

Company Overview:

Iridium is an award-winning and innovative satellite communications company with bragging rights to the only network that offers voice and data connectivity anywhere in the world. For over 20 years, Iridium's unique network and services have supported critical communications needs for individuals, businesses, and the evolving Internet of Things. At Iridium, we understand the importance of staying connected and the limitations of traditional communications networks. People across the globe, including first responders, humanitarians, global militaries, scientific researchers, and lone workers, as well as ships, aircraft, and remote operations all rely on Iridium to stay connected. We take our responsibility for providing these essential communications very seriously and pride ourselves on offering a reliable lifeline when needed. Likewise, Iridium is committed to providing an exciting and innovative workplace, where employees are challenged to think outside the box and collaborate on new, bold ideas and solutions. Our talented teams are passionate about their work and the impact our company makes around the world. Iridium fosters an empowering and inclusive culture that allows employees to genuinely be their best selves. We are looking for others who want to join this truly unique company that celebrates our employees and provides the opportunity to truly make a difference in the world.

Position Summary, Job Requirements & Responsibilities:

What We're Looking For:

Iridium is seeking a motivated and talented Engineering professional, who is ready to rise to the next level in their career, to fill our Executive Director, System Architecture position. As the Executive Director, System Architecture, you will lead a team of senior architects who define, design, and guide Iridium's space and ground network solution. This team envisions future capabilities and solutions, supports the broader organization in developing these capabilities, and ensures the ongoing technical integrity of the networks over time. In this role, you will be expected to successfully balance the priorities and needs of many internal and external stakeholders while charting a clear and consistent path toward the future, while never sacrificing the performance and reliability of our mission-critical network. If you're looking to take on a challenge and are passionate about leading, coaching, and improving your fellow employees, then we want to talk to you

What You'll Do:

• Take ownership of and evolve Iridium's space and ground network architecture.
• Define and drive strategic technology initiatives to support Iridium's 5-10 year business plans.
• Lead a team of senior architects who act as system design authority (SDA) for the company and are responsible for:
  • Managing the creation and evolution of all service roadmaps.
  • Interfacing with Product Line Management, both on the commercial and the government sides of the business, on strategic planning initiatives.
  • Generating ROM (rough orders of magnitude) estimates and assisting with project planning for all new projects.
  • Providing technical support to Marketing and Lines of Business (LOBs).
  • Taking an active role in the ground network evolution alignment with terrestrial wireless advancements, including contributions to international standards efforts.
• Ensure the right skills are in place on your team to support the breadth and depth of current and future technology investments, both through internal development and bringing in new skills and ideas from the outside.
• Establish the architecture team as a center of excellence within Iridium by formalizing and systemizing its functions and collaborating with leaders across the company.
• Evolve and modernize the network architecture by incorporating best of breed industry solutions, technologies, and practices.
• Ensure new programs and capabilities do not compromise the reliability, scalability, robustness, serviceability, and performance of the network. Identify opportunities to improve these attributes.
• Along with your team, lead and support internal product, project, operations, and other process forums.

What You'll Need to Succeed:

• Consistency of guidance and vision across internal product, project, operations, and other process touch points to effectively align present efforts with future direction.
• Be a strong motivator and source of direction for your team and exemplify commitment to your team's goals.
• Demonstrated technical depth and breadth in wireless networks.
• A people-oriented mentality and the initiative to actively promote cross-functional team-building.
• The ability to confidently drive discussions, raise support for key ideas, and tailor your communication style to a wide range of audiences, from engineers to executive leadership.
• Creativity, resourcefulness, and decisiveness to successfully manage risks and respond to critical situations.
• A strong sense of urgency in driving projects to completion and the motivation to achieve outcomes and results.
• Top-notch prioritization skills and the ability to effectively coordinate the activities of multiple groups.

Experience & Education Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science or equivalent; master's degree preferred.
• 15+ years of progressive experience in satellite or terrestrial networks and telecommunications industries.
• 10+ years' experience working in technical development leadership roles, ideally at the solution level.

Things That Would be Great if You Brought to the Table:

• Demonstrated experience as a technical authority or chief engineer on a large-scale, multi-year, multi-million-dollar program.
• Demonstrated ability to work cross-functionally and align distributed teams to achieve results.
• Strong technical experience in satellite, radio, and communications development with demonstrated track record of achieving deliverables.
• Advanced written and verbal communication skills, including experience drafting and conducting presentations to executive management.
• Specific experience in the following is highly desired:
  • Hardware and software architecture of satellite, gateway, or terminal hardware or software.
  • Comprehensive technical knowledge of communications systems and protocols such as 4G/5G cellular, IP networking, cloud services, etc.
  • Product or service development in satellite or cellular communications.

We'll also need you to:

• Have, or be eligible to obtain, a security clearance.

This position primarily works in the company office or in a home office. The position is largely sedentary with the majority of the position sitting in a chair and working with a computer. The role uses basic office equipment including a phone, video, computer, keyboard, mouse, and printer.

Iridium is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or status as a protected veteran. EOE of Minorities/Females/Vets/Disability and other protected categories.