ARA is seeking a technical leader with National Science Foundation (NSF) experience and corresponding NSF portfolios/stakeholders.

ARA is an innovative science and technology company with expertise in a wide variety of research areas including biotechnology, artificial intelligence, and clean energy. ARA has particular expertise in helping translate innovative research and development into operational capabilities.

The NSF Technical/Business lead will identify and pursue new growth areas by leveraging ARA’s portfolio of research and development capabilities as well seeking/capturing new NSF projects; particular emphasis is developing close relationships with academic institutions to support the expanding NSF portfolio in Technology, Innovation, and Partnerships (TIP). To accomplish these goals, the successful candidate will lead the development of a long-range business plan and marketing strategy and will coordinate input from ARA business units and technical leads. The NSF lead will utilize their expertise and community network within the research community to project the future needs of the NSF and help ARA develop the skills and resources to meet those needs.

The successful candidate will have an advanced technical degree and at least ten years of experience in NSF related work in either commercial, government or academic settings.

As the NSF Technical/Business Development Manager, you will be a valued member of a team of passionate, service-focused professionals, located throughout North America.

What you’ll do as the NSF Technical Lead

• Develop a long-range business plan, including a detailed associated marketing/business plan, to expand ARA’s research and development portfolio
• Capture and interpret market intel (directly from customers and indirectly from publications, trade shows, and other sources) and share intel with others through regular communications and through entry into ARA’s customer resource management (CRM) system
• Develop and maintain business relationships within the NSF community senior government leaders as well as key academic partners
• Engage and interact with customers on a regular basis to understand their needs and plans and to describe how ARA technologies may help their efforts
• Assist with preparation/delivery of briefings to ARA senior leadership
• Collaborate with ARA subject matter experts to develop value propositions to customers
• Assist ARA business units with NSF marketing activities to ensure professional and compelling marketing/proposal offerings.
• Provide technical expertise and program management for key research projects.

Desired NSF Technical/Business Development Manager Qualifications

• Ph. D. degree or equivalent in physics, engineering, mathematics, chemistry, biology, or other hard science.
• Candidate should be published and well known in their field of study
• Demonstrated experience at NSF as PM or higher running major program(s).
• 10 years or more in industry/government or technical SETA supporting NSF.
• Demonstrated record of proposing, marketing, and selling ideas and projects.
• Desirable time in government or academic lab working with NSF

Company Information

Applied Research Associates, Inc. is an employee-owned international research and engineering company recognized for providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences. The company, founded in Albuquerque, NM in 1979, currently employs over 1,400 professionals and continues to grow. ARA offices throughout the United States and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense technologies, civil technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement. ARA also provides sophisticated technical products for environmental site characterization, pavement analysis, and robotics.

At ARA, employees are our greatest assets. The corporation realizes that employee ownership spawns greater creativity and initiative along with higher performance and customer satisfaction levels. ARA gives employees the tools, training, and opportunities to take more active roles as owners. The culture is challenging, and innovation and experimentation are the norm. Employees are eligible for contributions which not only add to the company’s success, but also their own through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP). The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience.

For additional information and an opportunity to join this unique workplace, please apply at careers.ara.com.

Experience

• Candidate should be published and well known in their field of study

• Desirable time in government or academic lab working with NSF
• Demonstrated record of proposing, marketing, and selling ideas and projects.
• 10 years or more in industry/government or technical SETA supporting NSF.
• Demonstrated experience at NSF, DARPA, etc. as PM or higher running major program(s).

Education

• Doctorate or better in Physics or related field

Behaviors

• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
• Innovative: Consistently introduces new ideas and demonstrates original thinking
• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Motivations

• Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
• Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
• Entrepreneurial Spirit: Inspired to perform well by an ability to drive new ventures within the business
• Ability to Make an Impact: Inspired to perform well by the ability to contribute to the success of a project or the organization

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)