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Principal Product Development

Job Description

Job Summary:

The successful candidate will become the subject matter expert on the Warfighter Systems market, providing requirements, design tradeoff guidance, feature prioritization, and strategic direction for the night vision technology development. The candidate will be responsible for understanding the integration of night vision technologies, including imaging sensors, within the dismounted soldier kit to provide a full Integrated Soldier System offering. The candidate will work as the customer advocate, translating customer needs into requirements and developing the product offering strategy/roadmap. He/she will also be responsible for thought leadership to advance Elbit's placement as the industry leader in night vision technologies. Strong communications and interpersonal skills, coupled with an appreciation and interest in growing the Warfighter Systems business unit, are required. The successful candidate shall own a designated product group within the Warfighter Systems business unit. Responsibilities include being the Warfighter Systems product line market subject matter expert, defining requirements, design tradeoff guidance, feature prioritization, strategic direction and product business cases for night vision technology development. Technical requirements include knowledge of imaging sensors, optical systems, radio technologies, and IP networking. The candidate should have an understanding of typical use cases for dismount applications, including nighttime operations and network system architecture. The candidate will be expected to provide expert guidance and leadership in support of Sales, Business Development, Engineering, Program Management, and Strategy. Travel to customer locations worldwide is anticipated.

Responsibilities and Tasks :
  • Support Remotely or On-site in the Roanoke, VA facility
  • Collaborate with senior leadership on product strategies to acquire new business, including both internal and customer-funded R&D
  • Develop product offering business cases
  • Work hand-in-hand with Business Development, Program Management,
  • Engineering and Operations to execute the Warfighter Systems strategy
  • Oversee total Product Lifecycle Sustainment, working with other stakeholders to seek maximum business efficiency
  • Work as the customer advocate, translating customer needs into technical requirements and developing the product offering strategies/developmental roadmaps
  • Author and socialize the product offering strategy/roadmap
  • Understand market problems and provide strategic direction based on market segment assessment
  • Technical requirements include knowledge of imaging sensors, optical systems, radio technologies, and IP networking
  • Understand customer requirements and liaise with engineering stakeholders for innovative product requirement implementation to meet or exceed the customer requirements
  • Author documentation and socialize the product offering requirements
  • Analyze competitive strategies and provide competitive assessment advice to the business
  • Provide technology assessment reports and incorporate them into the product offering roadmap
  • Advise engineering teams on the CONOPS and requirements for dismounted soldiers
  • Define the components of the Warfighter Systems offering - including hardware and software components
  • Define the offering lifecycle
  • Determine system use cases
  • Determine value-based pricing strategy for all major projects
  • Work with Marketing to communicate the value proposition, highlighting differentiators through competitive analysis
  • Lead product development, Checkpoint reviews for all development activities, showing ROI of R&D funds
  • Monitor product development activities
  • Define Product Design Priorities
  • Rationalize IRAD & EAID for the product portfolio
  • Establish Production Cost (DTUPC) Targets
  • Support proposal preparation and submission
  • Support customer relationships, with primary responsibility for capturing the requirements of the customer through direct interactions with these customers
  • Understand the integration of night vision technologies, including imaging sensors, within the dismounted warfighter kit to provide a fully Integrated
  • Warfighter System offering
  • The candidate should understand typical use cases for dismounted soldier applications, including nighttime operations and network system architecture.
  • Prototype Customer Product Demos, while aligning with Business Development capture strategies
  • Ensure Prototype Quality and providing Delivery Schedule Prioritization
  • Strong communications and interpersonal skills, coupled with an appreciation and interest in growing ESA's Warfighter Systems business, are required.
  • Support customer briefs and reviews as necessary
  • Collaborate across other ESA business units on technologies to advance the offering
  • Participate in reviews of project plans with cross-functional team (engineering, operations, sales, etc.)
  • Interface between development team and forward-facing functions (including external entities - customers, gov't agencies, etc.)
  • 25% Travel is anticipated to ESA and customer locations/engagements worldwide.


Education, Experience & License or Certification:
  • Bachelor's degree in systems engineering, electrical engineering, software engineering, mechanical engineering, or related field
  • 8+ years of experience with Warfighter Systems, night vision technology, optics, or equivalent experience
  • 25% or more travel to include international travel  
  • Eligible to obtain and maintain a US Government Secret Security Clearance  


Preferred Skills:
  • Enjoys working with people, developing relationships, and sharing knowledge
  • Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, high-stakes environment
  • Current US Government Secret Security Clearance
  • Experience with Face-to-Face customer interactions
  • Military service/background
  • Familiarity with electro-optic military technology

#LI-SB1 Why Roanoke, Virginia?
  • Lower cost of living
  • Family-friendly area
  • Career and economic growth
  • Scenic beauty
  • Outdoor enthusiast's dream

Here Are Some of the Great Benefits We Offer:
  • Most locations offer a 9/80 schedule, providing every other Friday off
  • Competitive compensation & 401(k) program to plan for your future
  • Robust medical, dental, vision, & disability coverage with qualified wellness discounts
  • Basic Life Insurance and Additional Life & AD&D Insurances are available
  • Flexible Vacation & PTO
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Generous Employee Referral Program
  • Voluntary Benefits Available: Longer Term Care, Legal, Identity Theft, Pet Insurance, and more
  • Voluntary Tricare Supplement available for military retirees

This job description does not list all the duties of the job. You may be asked by your supervisors or managers to perform other duties. The employer has the right to revise this job description at any time. The job description is not an employment contract. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position. Elbit America is an equal opportunity employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

*** If you encounter issues with your application, please email TalentAcquisition@ElbitAmerica.com ***