Senior Director, R&D – Aerospace, Defense & Government Solutions - US-CA-Santa Rosa-Bldg 3, United States

Originally posted 13 March 2026 by the employer.

About the role

The Senior Director of R&D for ADGS IST provides strategic direction and leadership for an engineering organization developing solutions for the aerospace, defense, and government sectors. The role oversees technology roadmaps, guides solution NPIs, and directs resource allocation across the R&D organization.

What you'll do

- Develop and implement long-term R&D strategies that support ADGS IST growth and deliver solutions. - Lead, mentor, and coach R&D teams and project managers in executing solution NPIs, ensuring on-time product delivery and ROI commitments. - Manage resource allocation and drive operational efficiency across the R&D organization. - Act as the ADGS IST technology officer, tracking industry developments and advising leadership on investment priorities and emerging business opportunities. - Identify risks and establish mitigation plans, including evolving AD industry cybersecurity requirements, collaborating with corporate IT on regulatory compliance. - Partner cross-functionally with Keysight Labs, Product COE, Sales, and Regulatory teams to advance technology roadmaps.

What you'll need

- 15+ years of R&D management experience or 20+ years of technical management experience within relevant engineering fields. - Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Computer Engineering or relevant technical discipline. - Proven experience leading large, diverse R&D teams and guiding executive leadership on technology roadmaps and investment priorities. - Domain expertise in aerospace, defense, and government sectors, including AD program workflows and government funding processes. - Experience managing cross-functional technical collaboration across research labs, product groups, sales, and regulatory functions, alongside project management capabilities. - U.S. citizenship, lawful permanent residency, protected individual status under 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligibility for U.S. Government export control authorizations.

Nice to have

- Master’s or PhD in Electrical or Computer Engineering or relevant technical discipline. - Active Secret clearance (or higher) or the ability to obtain and maintain required security clearances.

Skills: R&D strategies, program management, resource allocation, operational efficiency, technology roadmaps