Manager, RF & Antenna Research and Technology

Position Overview

The Manager, RF & Antenna Research and Technology leads the organization's advanced research activities focused on future GNSS antenna technologies, materials, architectures, and intellectual property development. This role is responsible for defining and executing the technology roadmap, identifying disruptive innovations, and ensuring Calian GNSS maintains a competitive technical advantage over a 3-5 year horizon. The manager leads a team of researchers and senior technical experts and serves as a bridge between emerging technologies and future product development initiatives. The manager will also build, mentor, and develop the high-performing engineering team including hiring, performance management, career development, succession planning, and employee engagement.

Location: Ottawa, ON | On-site

Responsibilities

The primary responsibility of this role is to create and mature technologies that will drive future business growth and product differentiation. The manager balances exploratory research with practical technology transition activities, ensuring that innovation investments generate long-term value for the organization.

Strategic Technology Leadership

• Develop and maintain the 3-5 year technology roadmap for GNSS antenna innovations.
• Identify emerging technologies, market trends, and competitive developments.
• Drive technology strategy aligned with business objectives and market opportunities.
• Evaluate new materials, manufacturing techniques, and antenna architectures.

Research Program Management

• Lead advanced research and proof-of-concept projects.
• Prioritize research investments and resource allocation.
• Manage technology readiness maturation activities.
• Establish collaborations with universities, research institutions, industry partners, and government agencies.

Innovation and Intellectual Property

• Drive invention disclosures, patent development, and IP strategy.
• Foster a culture of innovation and technical excellence.
• Evaluate technical feasibility and commercialization potential of new technologies.

Technical Leadership

• Mentor senior technical specialists and researchers.
• Conduct design reviews and technology assessments.
• Guide transition of mature technologies into product development programs.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Present research outcomes to executive leadership.
• Support strategic customer engagements involving emerging technologies.
• Represent Calian at technical conferences and industry forums.

Key Internal Interfaces and Cross-Functional Collaboration

The Manager, RF & Antenna Research and Technology serves as the primary source of future innovation within the organization. This role works closely with Product Development and RF & Antenna Systems to transition emerging technologies into customer-focused solutions while leveraging Core Engineering capabilities to validate and mature new concepts.

Collaboration Responsibilities

With Product Development

• Transfer mature technologies into product development programs.
• Support evaluation of new features and capabilities for the product roadmap.
• Provide technical expertise during technology insertion activities.
• Assist in assessing competitive differentiation opportunities.

With RF & Antenna Systems

• Collaborate on the application of emerging technologies to advanced systems.
• Support development of CRPA, smart antenna, and Alternative PNT innovations.
• Participate in architecture trade studies and proof-of-concept demonstrations.

With Industrialization and Production Support

• Consider manufacturing implications early in technology development.
• Support assessment of new materials, processes, and production methods.
• Assist with technology transfer activities when innovations move toward commercialization.

With Core Engineering

• Utilize antenna measurement, environmental testing, PCB layout, and mechanical design capabilities.
• Support development of new engineering tools, test methods, and validation approaches.
• Coordinate laboratory and prototype development activities.

Qualifications

Success in this role requires a combination of deep technical expertise, strategic thinking, and the ability to lead highly specialized researchers. The ideal candidate is recognized as a technical leader and can translate emerging technologies into business opportunities.

Education

• Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, RF Engineering, Applied Physics, or related field.

Experience

• 10+ years in RF, GNSS, antenna design, or advanced technology development.
• Experience managing research programs and technical teams.
• Demonstrated history of innovation and patent generation.

Technical Skills

• Advanced antenna theory and electromagnetic simulation.
• Advanced RF system knowledge.
• Technology forecasting and strategic planning.
• Research methodology and experimental design.

Leadership Skills

• Strategic thinking.
• Technical vision.
• Coaching and mentorship.
• Cross-functional collaboration.

Compensation

$150K-$190K

Vacancy

We have 1 available position.