Technical Product Manager: Airborne EW (DOORS) (Centurion) at Datafin Recruitment

ENVIRONMENT:

• A leading provider of Electronic Systems seeks a highly strategic-thinking Technical Product Manager who will be responsible for designing and supporting its competitive products that meet and exceed market and end-user requirements throughout the entire product lifecycle.
• You will ensure the technical integrity of baseline products in the Product Life Cycle Management (PLCM) process by capturing, verifying and validating results to maintain and support current generation products and establish new baseline products utilizing emerging technologies.
• The successful incumbent will require a B Engineering or equivalent tertiary qualification with relevant System Engineering courses.
• You will need 8 years Systems Engineering Management with customer project experience, proficiency with DOORS, DOORS Tools and active participation in the SGD Requirements Management Plan & have extensive experience and background in the defense EW environment (Airborne EW: Radar Warning, Missile Warning, Laser Warning and Countermeasures).

DUTIES:

Product Requirements –

• Determine product requirements through information gathering using portfolio vision, the product strategy from the product plan, customers, marketing, etc.
• Compare trends and remain up to date with relevant technologies within the organisation and in the open market and provide feedback and guidance to Product Managers and Technical Design Authorities.
• Influence the technical product roadmap by providing proposed solutions by introduction of new technologies, product re-use and adaptation.
• Participate in drafting such technical development product roadmaps and influence the Product Manager, TDA’s and other key stakeholders in terms of prioritization and funding of product roadmaps.
• Adapt system requirements based on the approved roadmap.
• Advise Product Manager on Make or Buy product recommendations.

Technical Management –

• Ensure there is a relevant set of management plans for the product including System Engineering Management Plan, Test and Evaluation Management Plan, Logistic Support Plan, Configuration Management Plan, Quality Management Plan, etc.
• Develop, maintain and baseline a set of generic system requirements including system requirement specifications, interface requirements, subsystem requirements, installation requirements, environmental requirements, logistic requirements etc, all to be captured in DOORS and ensure customer projects use the generic content to the extent possible.
• Develop, maintain and baseline a set of generic acceptance tests and results.
• Conduct robustness and limit testing using Target System Test opportunities.
• Review Target System Test and Evaluation Master Plans.
• Provide Target Systems Support by assisting with initial planning for new programs, supporting allocated Target Project teams, influencing system demonstrations and trails planning, and participate in customer reviews and audits.
• Review and co-sign sub-systems requirement specification and deviations.
• Ensure full requirements traceability between System to Software and LRU/SRUs, and between project specification and system requirement specification.
• Manage lifecycle processes, including obsolescence management, end of production.
• Oversee day-to-day technical tasks and activities related to the R&D assignment, project adaptations, bug-fixing and maintenance.
• Provide accurate costings for R&D tasks, new equipment development, project adaptations, bug-fixes, interface adaptations for consolidation by the Product Manager.

Technical Support to Marketing and Sales –

• Serve as the point of contact for technical marketing support.
• Provide inputs for technical proposals, including system architecture, compliance, NRE requirements and system integration cost estimates.
• Develop and maintain a reference set of marketing technical documentation in conjunction with Product Manager.
• Provide input for marketing brochure content, including the scope of ILS packages and after sales support.

Technical After-Sales Support –

• Analyse reported problems and recommend solutions.
• Provide technical support to Customer Support Department by offering inputs and guidance for long-term planning and addressing and customer related issues including retrofits, training, and upgrades.

Client Relations –

• Support System Engineers by addressing queries and gathering feedback.
• Provide technical support for proposals, presentations and training sessions.
• Ensure effective internal client relations by providing technical assistance.

Vendor Relations of strategic IDAS LRU’s –

• Identify, evaluate and maintain relationships with key vendors of 3rd party LRU’s.
• Support strategic procurement in the negotiation of contracts, continuously monitor performance and collaborate on technology integrations together with these vendors.
• Assist in resolving vendor related technical problems.

REQUIREMENTS:

Qualifications –

• An applicable Engineering qualification (B Engineering or equivalent tertiary qualification).
• Relevant System Engineering courses.

Experience/Skills –

• Minimum of eight (8) years Systems Engineering Management with customer project experience.
• Proficiency with DOORS, DOORS Tools and active participation in the SGD Requirements Management Plan.
• Extensive experience and background in the defense EW environment (Airborne EW: Radar Warning, Missile Warning, Laser Warning and Countermeasures).
• Experience with Model Based System Engineering approach and concepts.
• Proven track record of successful product development and execution.
• Customer Relationship Management skills.
• Competence in generating effective Operation Concept Description / User Requirements.
• Commitment to ensuring the longevity of delivered customer products.
• Excellent communication skills aimed at team collaboration and providing the best technical solutions.

Advantageous –

• PM / TPM courses.
• Financial Management qualification.

ATTRIBUTES:

• Strong management and leadership skills.
• Strategic thinking ability.
• Excellent team building, problem-solving, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
• Proficient presentation, oral and written communication and interpersonal skills.
• Analyse and interpret data.
• Ability to influence people.