As a company grows, leadership must be mindful to uphold a strong, consistent identity. Fast food restaurants have it easy—customers want and expect the same burger and service everywhere they go. Some might say that software-based companies have it easy because their business lives online, resulting in no need to open new locations as they expand. Defense companies, however, oftentimes have the dual challenge of sticking to their core competencies and being present in ever-changing project environments. Being there—in close proximity can be an advantage.
Companies Need An Identity First
Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation (INTUITIVE®), headquartered in Huntsville, provides dynamic technical expertise to support customers in the realm of defense, aerospace, engineering, and program management—getting its start by providing production engineering and manufacturing support to air and missile defense programs. In fact, one of INTUITIVE’s first funded tasks 25 years ago was to support the Patriot air and missile defense system. Through its support to programs under the Program Executive Office (PEO) Missiles and Space, INTUITIVE established its reputation as a premiere engineering firm focused on protecting the Warfighter and solving hard problems. Since those early days in 1999, Army organizations have changed names and realigned, Patriot capabilities have greatly improved, and new systems have been developed and fielded. Two decades later, INTUITIVE is honored to find ourselves still supporting these same great customers in their mission to equip and support our Nation’s Warfighters.
The history between INTUITIVE and PEO Missiles and Space has truly shaped our company and how we do business. Our close proximity model is a perfect example. We planted our roots in Cummings Research Park—just a short “Ride out” from Redstone Arsenal. We believe in being near our customers and have acted on that belief as we have grown into other locations, such as Camden, Arkansas, Niceville, Florida, and Colorado Springs, Colorado.
Maintaining a close proximity to our customers and their missions when possible allows us to be immediately available and in-tune with their requirements and challenges. We collocate strong, experienced leadership at these locations who make responsive decisions based on “Boots on the Ground” situational awareness.
We also apply our close proximity model to the testing and production sector. Though modern IT and telecommunication tools have made remote work more effective and efficient than ever before, there is no substitute for being available on the scene. Our test engineers travel to various test ranges and labs to ensure close-in support for as long as needed. Based on lessons learned over the last two decades, some dating back to our first support role to Patriot in 1999, we have maintained a staff of production engineers and subject matter experts at major missile manufacturing plants, ready to support at any time.
Our Door Is Always Open
Unlike many companies who try to lead, or even execute, the majority of their work remotely from other states, INTUITIVE is proud to be headquartered less than 10 minutes from some of our most longstanding customers and their missions. Maintaining close proximity to places like Redstone Arsenal accelerates processes, fosters free-flowing face-to-face communication, and enables a true understanding of customer priorities and challenges. INTUITIVE is a longtime member of the air and missile defense community—understanding industry-specific expectations and embracing accessibility in order to collaborate with the customer daily in an efficient, productive way.
We have seen firsthand how important it is to have an open-door policy, not only for our employees, but for our customers. Whether they have an issue or an idea, our customers need to be heard. Our leadership—from the CEO and President to the Co-founders—appreciate and welcome an open line of communication. With our proximity to the PEO Missiles and Space headquarters, our leadership can be on customer site within in minutes to work through challenges and aid in critical decision-making.
Keeping Our Commitments
For over two decades, INTUITIVE has been committed to providing uninterrupted support to PEO Missiles and Space customers. The AMD community has trusted our organization to provide production expertise in the Rocket City and beyond. Since the early 2000’s, INTUITIVE has faithfully supported PEO Missiles and Space customers in the Camden, Arkansas community as well. Following our close-in model, INTUITIVE opened an office in Camden in 2019 to be the “eyes and ears” for Project Management Offices that need on-site production and manufacturing support.
Jeff Souder, INTUITIVE’s Global Defense Systems & Solutions (GDSS) Division Manager, said, “Having this home-base office with boots on the ground is the perfect example of a case when physical proximity and the rapid response it allows is critical to our customer’s success. Our office in Camden allows us to provide timely subject matter expertise and solutions to multiple PEO Missiles and Space project offices.”
INTUITIVE’s close proximity to missile production efforts allows our subject matter experts ample time and opportunities to proactively verify customer processes, validate engineering and manufacturing procedures, and conduct audits.
INTUITIVE Program Manager of production field offices, Andy Fogle said, “Opening the office in Camden gave our subject matter experts a permanent base of operations—allowing us to improve efficiency, timeliness, and overall costs while working with our customers. The hands-on nature of the production and manufacturing work that we do for various missile systems made opening this office sensible.”
The INTUITIVE Choice
Much has been said about the benefits of creating an ecosystem where those involved partner to successfully ensure national security, and we fervently believe close-in support is key to that success. This is certainly the case for INTUITIVE and PEO Missiles and Space, as evident by our long history and on-going support to the AMD community. We understand our customers’ needs for speed, responsiveness, and cost savings, and we are committed to staying involved and helping programs succeed.
While INTUITIVE’s proximity to our PEO Missiles and Space customers is extremely advantageous, it is ultimately our longstanding relationships and core competencies that make this 25-year partnership flourish. If you’re interested in joining INTUITIVE’s team of forward-thinkers, problem solvers, and missile experts, please visit https://www.irtc-hq.com/careers/ to view available positions.
About Intuitive Research and Technology Corporation:
INTUITIVE® is an aerospace engineering and analysis firm headquartered in Huntsville, Alabama that provides production support, software and systems engineering, programmatic support, product development, rapid prototyping, and technology management to the Department of Defense, other State and Federal Government agencies, and commercial companies. Our approach couples the latest technology with engineering expertise, analytical proficiency, and keen managerial oversight. From design through production to sustainment, we proudly provide management and technical solutions throughout all phases of the system’s life cycle.