Precision Agriculture Technical Lead

About Us:

VT-ARC, a technical services and applied research capability company, has built an organizational culture marked by four primary values: Teamwork, Integrity, Excellence, and Service. Integral to our success is our staff’s enthusiasm for solving tough problems by working together in teams to get the job done. We foster a culture where every employee’s contribution is valued and performed with integrity while maintaining a fun work environment. VT-ARC strives for excellence in all that is done for our clients and such achievement is recognized through service/merit awards. Moreover, we promote a sense of community larger than VT-ARC alone, where staff and institutional resources can be applied in service to our country.

About You:

VT-ARC is seeking a Precision Agriculture Technical Lead who will develop and direct agricultural technology projects. Reporting directly to the Vice President of Technology, the Technical Lead’s initial role will be to support the corporation’s NSF Convergence Accelerator project which is focused on developing novel tools and educational programs that empower small and mid-sized farms to implement Precision Agriculture technologies. The Technical Lead will immediately apply their leadership and communications skills and their Precision Agriculture expertise to drive technical development across a multi-organizational team that achieves project goals while ensuring team cohesion. The Technical Lead will also cultivate relationships with strategic partners and other project stakeholders including end users to create a sustainable program that continues to deliver impact to farming communities.

This is an exciting opportunity for anyone wanting to be part of a team that leverages the strengths of others to deliver innovative solutions to our customers. VT-ARC promotes cross team collaboration, health and well-being and continues to deliver outstanding benefits and perks.

This position is a contingency hire based on a contract award expected to begin execution on or about December 15th, 2023.

Duties/Responsibilities:

• Lead technical teams by communicating project vision and inspiring collaborative research and development.
• Coordinate and direct research team activities to ensure timely and efficient integration of tasks.
• Contribute to the execution of projects by providing technical expertise and guidance on the direction of the research.
• Oversee activities of one or more project managers monitoring project budget, schedule, and performance.
• Develop a community of Precision Agriculture users, partners, and other stakeholders to further the impact of project outcomes.
• Organize and lead meetings with potential users, partners, and sponsors.
• Support business development activities by evaluating research opportunities and contributing to proposal preparation.

Required Education, Certifications, Skills, Capabilities:

• PhD in the biological sciences or engineering with a specific focus on implementing Precision Agriculture technologies such as GPS, GIS, sensors/IoT, drone and robotic systems, image processing, and/or system modeling.
• At least 5 years of experience leading Precision Agriculture research projects and managing diverse teams.
• Strong interpersonal, teambuilding, verbal-, and written-communications skills.
• Excellent customer service skills to build positive business relationships with sponsors and partners.

Desired Education, Certifications, Skills, Capabilities:

• Experience in writing technical proposals.
• Experience using project management tools to achieve milestone and deliverable timelines.
• Experience working with agriculture stakeholders in communities, industry, and the government.

Primary Work Location: Work is to be performed in Blacksburg, VA with remote work flexibility under the Hybrid Work & Telecommuting Policy.

Special Work Conditions:

• Possible travel to other CONUS locations.
• Occasional work outside of corporate core business hours.

Security:

• Must be a U.S. Citizen

Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation: VT-ARC is a 501(c)(3), non-profit R&D organization affiliated with Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech or VT). Our mission is to provide superior analytic and technology solutions across multiple domains by leveraging Virginia Tech’s multidisciplinary research and innovation ecosystem. With unique access to the broad and rich research enterprise found at Virginia Tech, VT-ARC forms multi-disciplinary teams to apply innovative solutions to the real-world problems that strain our social, political, industrial, and economic foundations.

To learn more about VT-ARC’s Benefits, Perks, Culture & more visit our Careers page: https://vt-arc.org/careers/

Virginia Tech Applied Research Corporation is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, marital status, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

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