Job Description
POSITION: ILCA Technical Officer
COMPANY: International Laser Class Association (ILCA)
REPORTS TO: ILCA President / Executive Secretary
LOCATION: You must have the ability to work remotely across multiple time zones and travel extensively.
FULL/PART TIME: This is a full-time contract position with flexible working hours.
JOB SUMMARY:
ILCA is looking for a Technical Officer to lead our growing technical team.
ILCA is a worldwide sailing organization representing owners of ILCA class dinghies, which are the world’s most popular youth and adult one-design racing class sailboat.
The ILCA dinghy is sailed in all parts of the world and is confirmed as the official equipment for the Men’s and Women’s One-Person Dinghy sailing events for the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games.
Fundamental to the 50-year success of our class is ensuring that all boats and equipment are as equal as possible, regardless of where they are manufactured.
The ILCA Technical Officer will lead the ILCA technical team to help ensure that this “one-design principle” is maintained for the future.
ILCA has the responsibility to oversee and audit the class manufacturers and suppliers to ensure that all boats and equipment are made to the strict standards and specifications of the ILCA Build Manual.
ILCA currently oversees eight manufacturers on four continents, with more manufacturers currently in process for approval.
ILCA is also responsible for auditing and inspecting parts and equipment suppliers (spars, foils, sails etc.) for compliance with the ILCA Build Manual specifications.
ILCA is now seeking a detail-oriented, technically skilled professional to lead a team of assistant technical officers in a variety of technical projects including, factory inspections, equipment audits, report preparation, technical writing etc.
This position is open immediately on a full-time basis. Training will be provided by the outgoing Technical Officer and the current staff. Flexibility to vary hours and manage changing workloads will be necessary.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
The ILCA Technical Officer will be required to:
- Manage a team of three and provide technical and inspection services with the aim of ensuring that all boats and equipment are built to the strict standards and specifications of the ILCA Build Manual.
- Assist with detailed training and certification of new builders and suppliers including hull manufacturers, spar manufacturers, sailmakers etc.
- Work with builders and suppliers to improve processes and tighten tolerances whenever possible to ensure the highest degree of uniformity across manufacturers.
- Carry out regular inspections of class builders’ and suppliers’ manufacturing facilities.
- Provide regular reporting to the President and Technical and Measurement Committee.
- Liaise with World Sailing technical staff on class inspection and compliance issues including the selection of builders and suppliers for the Olympic Games.
- Provide engineering services to aid problem resolution and promote reasonable and controlled future development.
- Work with the Assistant Technical Officers, Chief Measurer and Technical and Measurement Committee (TMC) to manage and update the ILCA Build Manual and ILCA Class Rules when required.
SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE:
- A college degree or higher in engineering, naval architecture, or a related technical discipline.
- Experience in quality assurance and improving quality in a manufacturing environment using statistical and problem-solving techniques.
- Proven technical, managerial and communication skills.
- Marine industry experience including familiarity with boat, sail, spar, foil and fitting, design and construction.
- Product development experience a plus in order to contribute to the development and evolution of the boat.
- Have sufficient language, time management and computer skills to work efficiently and effectively in varied, non-office-based environments, including, online communications, report preparation and document management.
- Computer skills including Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, CAD, CAE, computer graphics.
- Familiarity with sailing class rules and inspection techniques preferred.
- Sailing background is a plus, including competitive sailing in ILCA class boats or similar.
- Language: Fluency in written and spoken English is required. Additional languages are a plus.
TRAVEL:
International travel is required (20% – 30%). Must have a valid passport.
TO APPLY:
Please submit your résumé and supporting information to technical@laserinternational.org by 31 July 2022.