Director, Strategic Technologies

Job Summary

Southwire is seeking a Ph.D. physicist, engineer, or applied scientist to identify and develop the scientific and technological innovations most likely to shape the future of electrical infrastructure, energy systems, and adjacent markets. The Director, Strategic Technologies will look beyond traditional technology scouting to evaluate emerging opportunities, validate their technical and commercial viability, and advance high-potential concepts into products, intellectual property, strategic partnerships, and new business platforms.

The ideal candidate will bring exceptional technical depth, intellectual curiosity, strategic thinking, and business acumen, with a demonstrated ability to translate breakthrough technologies into meaningful growth opportunities for Southwire.

Key Responsibilities

• Identify developments in computing, data centers, electrification, energy systems, power delivery, advanced manufacturing, and adjacent scientific fields that could create significant opportunities or challenges for Southwire.


• Formulate critical technical questions before they are fully recognized by the market and establish disciplined programs to investigate them.


• Apply first-principles analysis, modeling, simulation, experimentation, and customer insight to evaluate technical feasibility, commercial relevance, and strategic potential.


• Leverage AI-assisted analysis of research literature, patents, startups, competitor activity, and market developments to identify meaningful trends and distinguish durable opportunities from speculation.


• Develop and manage a focused portfolio of strategic technology initiatives with clear hypotheses, milestones, decision criteria, and pathways to business value.


• Identify emerging technologies and recommend the appropriate path forward, including internal development, strategic partnerships, licensing, investment, or acquisition.


• Provide rigorous technical evaluation and due diligence for potential partnerships, investments, licensing opportunities, acquisitions, and other strategic innovation initiatives.


• Collaborate with the Director, Advanced Materials & Computational Sciences to translate future system requirements into material, process, manufacturing, and technology capabilities.


• Partner with business, technology, and commercial leaders to assess future opportunities and support the development of long-term growth platforms for Southwire.


• Establish and maintain a prioritized portfolio of future opportunities supported by evidence of technical feasibility, customer value, competitive advantage, and clear investment recommendations  within the first year.


• Performs other duties as assigned


• Complies with all policies and standards


• Manages staff performance and development, coaching team members to achieve their full potential in contributing to the department's goals.

Required Education & Experience

Minimum Education Level: DoctorateDegree

Years of Experience: 8-11 Years

Field of Expertise:    
- Substantial industrial experience applying scientific expertise to tangible technical, manufacturing, product, or commercial outcomes.
- Demonstrated strength in first-principles reasoning, quantitative analysis, modeling, simulation, and experimental design.
- Demonstrated commercial judgment and the ability to connect technologies with customer value, intellectual property, investment requirements, and business potential.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary technical programs and influencing decisions across research, engineering, operations, commercial teams, and senior leadership.

Preferred Education & Experience

Specialized Degree: Master's - MBA or demonstrated business leadership experience 

Years of Experience: 5+

Other Preferred Skills, Licenses, & Certificates:    

-    Experience supporting corporate innovation, venture capital, or technology scouting initiatives.
-    Advanced Modelling, simulation and Computational Analysis

Spans of Control

Does this role Manage Southwire Team Members: Yes Number of Direct Reports: 2-5

Travel

Travel: Domestic, up to 25%

Physical Requirements

Climbing: 5%

Driving: 5%

Moving: 5%

Standing: 10%

Sitting: 60%

Walking: 15%

Working Conditions

Office

Plant/Warehouse Floor

Various Shifts

Loud Noise

Equipment

Computer/Keyboard

Safety Glasses

Competencies

Skills