Amara Halt
Fredericksburg,US
Summary
To further my career path as a Technical Director (TD) where I can utilize my Program Management, Engineering and Strategic thinking to further support and define an organizations technical development path.
I currently serve as the Missile Portfolio Senior Project Manager in the Advanced Engagement System Branch (H34). In this role, I manage a portfolio of missile projects including STANDARD Missile-2 (SM-2), SM-6, NATO Sea Sparrow Missile System (NSSMS), Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile (ESSM), Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM), and the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS). I provide primary interface to the PEO IWS 3A STANDARD Missile Program Office and NATO Sea Sparrow Project Office (NSPO) and oversees technical execution of the associated missile work at NSWCDD. (Add interaction with Combat System.) To seek and maintain full-time position that offers professional challenges utilizing interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure entry-level [Job Title] position. Ready to help team achieve company goals. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Well-versed in building positive relationships with customers and other stakeholders. Strong requirements gathering, scope development and inventory coordination abilities. Skilled at overseeing complex, high-value technical projects with excellent planning competencies. Focused Project Manager adept at planning, directing and maintaining continuous operations in various departments. Experienced in directing manufacturing employees and keeping efficient production in accordance with quality standards. Applying creative and analytical approach to operations for continuous process improvement. Skilled at identifying or anticipating problems and providing solutions. Excels through mentoring, training and empowering team to excel in performance.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Missile Portfolio Senior Project Manager
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.1999 - Current
- Lead and manage NSWCDD Missile Portfolio Senior Project Manager for PEO (IWS3A STANDARD Missile, IWS 11 (CIWS (Phalanx), SeaRAM and RAM), and IWS 12 (ESSM (Blocks 1 and 2) and NSSMS with total budgets of ~$19M
- Act as a communications conduit for executive sponsors (PEO (IWS 3A, IWS 11, IWS 12)) and for program steering committees; conduct periodic briefings/status updates; and interface with sponsors routinely to ensure exceptional support and products
- Explore opportunities to provide our expertise in assisting them in other technical areas (e.g
- Upgrades to ESSM Program, ESSM Block 2, US Navy and FMS Telemetry Systems, FMS System Safety Engineering and Test and Evaluation, etc.)
- Apply senior-level technical knowledge and complex technological programmatic experience throughout all programs' phases to successfully lead and provide management and leadership for STANDARD Missile (SM-2 and SM-6), Evolved SeaSparrow Missile (ESSM), NATO SeaSparrow Missile (NSSM), Rolling Airframe Missile (RAM), SeaRAM and Phalanx Close-In Weapons System (CIWS) programs
- Apply accounting and financial principles in the analysis and evaluation of prior, current, and future programmatic conditions of ongoing and project projects, programs, and operations to determine status, performance, and expenditures
- Serve as a strong advocate to PEO (IWS 3, IWS 11 and IWS 12) to ensure that NSWC Dahlgren delivers outstanding products to the warfighter
- Ensure that all the past, present and future missiles are well integrated and aligned with H33 Missile Integration Mission
- Promote H33 Missile Systems Engineering and Integration Branch expertise to encourage and employ technical involvement with future tasking with other NSWCDD Departments
- This includes developing new FMS telemetry equipment for German Navy and future European threats
- Promote H34 Missile Systems Engineering and Integration Branch expertise to encourage young engineers to get more involved in both technical and project management with NATOSEASPARROW Project Office (NSPO) and Surface Ship Missiles (SSM) Program Office
- NSPO future projects include: FCLIP Phase 2, MK 73 SSTX GaN Power Upgrade,MK 9 Transmitter Power Upgrade, Cyber Security and Science & Technology (High Density Reactive Material)
- SSM future projects include: SM-2 Block IIIC, SEA DRAGON, SM-2 Restart, Safety support to Royal Australian Navy, etc.
Missile Systems Project Manager
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2006 - 01.2012
- Lead and managed missile systems programs for SM -2, SM-6, ESSM, NSSMS, RAM, CIWS and Phalanx with total budgets of ~$10M
- Ensure compliance with technical requirements and milestones, assure adherence to schedules and budget, and provide exceptional quality products for all NSWC DD Missile systems programs through frequent interactions with PEO IWS3 executive sponsors
- Recommend and outline opportunities to sponsors to use NSWC DD technical expertise and facilities on current programs and future efforts (e.g
- Upgrade to ESSM Program, Telemetry Systems for FMS and US Navy, Test and Evaluation)
- Act as the communications conduit to between IWS and program steering committees to provide periodic briefings/status updates
- Provide solutions for programmatic strategies, planning, and master scheduling by utilizing prior Principal for Safety and program management expertise
- Led or served on high-level technical sessions for SM-2/6, NSSMS, ESSM, RAM, CIWS, Phalanx, etc
- Supported and led special technical projects with executive sponsors—conducted successful WSESRB
- Reviewed/approved project plans, Test Plans, Test Reports, lethality modeling scenarios, and supplementary documentation for conformance to program strategies and schedules
- Coordinated and performed with Test and Evaluation (G66) team for the successful conduct of the February 2011 Royal Danish Navy 12-Meter Drop Test
- Interacted also with Program Office and NATO representatives to ensure all aspects of testing
- Assisted and coordinated with Test and Evaluation (G66 & G65) teams for the successful conduct of July 2011 SM Ballistic Barrier Testing and December 2011 SM MK 104 Dual Propulsion Rocket Motor Restrained Firing
- Ensure project evolvement and follow-up efforts through interacted with key government support activities (NAVAIR, NSWCIHD, NSWCPHD, US Army/Aberdeen) to
- Exchange missile technical information and accomplishments with Missile Technical Warrant Holder to
- Assisted and interfaced with G20 and NSWCDD Contracts Department with the development of new BAE Contracts (RFP and Bridge Modification) and G Omni Bus contract
- Contributed to reducing Total Ownership Cost (TOC), both internal direct & overhead Warfare Center costs, and external customer and stakeholder costs
- TOC Topic proposal: “Technical Design Agent Role for Missiles.” Provide performance evaluations for each team member for their branch heads.
Missile Safety Group Lead
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Served as the missile safety group lead in G71
- Manage seven people across the four major missile safety programs (SM-2, SM-3, SM-6, and ESSM) with group budget of over $1M
- Provided performance evaluation for each team member to Engagement system Safety (G71) Branch Head
- Prepared/provided NSWC DD SM Program Manager (G205) and PEO IWS 3A with a Work Break down Structure (WBS) of Dahlgren safety activities and budget costs for FY 06
- Prepared and presented to NSWC DD SM Program Manager (G205) and PEO IWS 3A FY 06 Mid-Year Review, and FY07-FY11 safety budgets prediction
- Effectively prepared and delivered Statement of Work (SOW), managed budgets and resources for EG&G contracts, and overall system safety support of the SM-2/6 programs.
Principal For Safety
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2005 - 01.2006
- Served as the Program Office Principal For Safety at design and program reviews, assure that there is appropriate safety tasking in contract statement of work, and provide evaluation and guidance for the system safety effort of the SM-6 program contractors and field activities
- Managed and coordinated safety activities to meet mission requirements definitions
- In addition, prepare SSSTRP/WSESRB/FISTRP Technical Data Packages and presentations and brief on the safety analyses
- Earned a strong safety reputation with SSSTRP/WSESRB Chairs and panel members at the SSSTRP/WSESRB
- Developed an effective SM safety team between NSWC DD, PEO IWS 3A and Raytheon Missile System Corporation
- Implemented and improved System Safety Process to strengthen the communication line between NSWC DD G71 and PEO IWS 3A
- Designated as a PFS for an ongoing special project
- Prepared and gave presentation to the WSESRB on this special project.
- Performed classroom evaluations to assess teacher strategies and effectiveness.
SM Software Safety Engineer
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Performed as the lead Software Safety Engineer for all STANDARD Missile variants
- Supported program management by maintaining the SM3 Software Safety Program Schedule, CSU VECP schedule, MK 45 MOD 14 TDD schedule, and SM-2 Block IIIB Maneuverability Upgrade
- Reviewed all software safety documents and provided software safety input to Raytheon Missile System Corporation
- Served as a member to the Software Systems Safety Technical Review Panel (SSSTRP)
- Chaired the Technical Interchange Meeting (TIM) to address SM Software Safety.
SM Production/RDT&E
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2000 - 01.2006
- Served as a project lead System Safety Engineer for the Extended Range Active Missile (SM-6 Block 1), Control System Upgrade Value Engineering Change Proposal (CSU VECP), MK 45 MOD 12/14 Target Detection Device (TDD), all class I Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs) and the SM-2 Block IIIB Maneuverability Upgrade
- Developed a System Safety Management Plan (SSMP) and the Preliminary Hazard Analysis (PHA) during the acquisition process
- Reviewed the CSU VECP Safety Assessment Report (SAR) and provided safety technical expertise to Raytheon Missile System Corporation
- Developed the CSU VECP WSESRB Technical Data Package for NOSSA
- Reviewed all Safety Hazard Assessment documents (PHA, SHA, SSHA, SSHA and the O&SHA) and provided safety input to Raytheon Standard Missile Company
- Organized and served as the main Point of Contact (POC) for all System Safety Working Group (SSWG) meetings.
SM System Safety Engineer
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.1999 - 01.2006
- Performed as the lead System/Software Safety Engineer for all STANDARD Missile (SM) variants and Aegis Ballistic Missile Defense Combat System (Aegis BMD)
- Prepared/Provided WPN SM Program Manager and PEO IWS 3A a WBS of Dahlgren safety activities and budget costs
- Developed a combat system engineering model/process for Aegis BMD
- Reviewed contractor-performed safety deliverables
- Supported IPTs and Design Reviews technical safety engineering
- Informed the PEO IWS of the program’s safety status, significant problems and/or deficiencies, and required improvements
- Highlighted any specific areas requiring management action
- Prepared safety criteria to be incorporated in test and operational plans, procedures and technical orders
- Reviewed histories of hazards, failures, and mishaps in existing similar systems to ensure that design deficiencies were not repeated in the new system.
SM-2 Blk IVA
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.1999 - 01.2001
- Served as a project lead system safety engineer for the STANDARD Missile 2 Block IVA program (SM-2 Blk IVA)
- Responsible for both Hardware and Software Safety
- Responsible for daily work required for SM-2 Blk IVA and provided a bi-weekly report to the STANDARD Missile Principal For Safety (SM PFS) and the Program managers
- Reviewed all the Safety Hazard Assessment documents (both EMD & LRIP) (PHA, SHA, SSHA, DSP SSHA and the O&SHA) and provided safety input to Raytheon Standard Missile Company
- Revised the Blk IVA System Safety Program Plan (SSPP) for approval by the NSWC DD/G71 branch and the program office
- Prepared the Blk IVA WSESRB Technical Data Package and presented the Blk IVA program to the Weapon System Explosives Safety Review Board (WSESRB) to obtain concurrence on planned System Safety Program (EMD & LRIP Configurations)
- Prepared the Blk IVA Safety budget submission that included training, staff activities, support contractor awareness activities, travel, safety testing and production.
System Safety Analyst/Programmer
Computer Sciences Corporation
01.1997 - 01.1999
- Performed as system safety analyst/programmer for the new submarine projects and Vertical Launching System (VLS)
- Conducted software and mathematical analysis of the new SSN Project
- Performed Computer Program Safety Analysis (CPSA) on the Kalman Filter tracking and localization algorithm, the Advanced LCU Peripheral (ALP) and the Baseline V (BLV) programs for VLS
- Responsible for the technical review and the software analysis of the VLS to identify potential nuclear safety hazards
- Performed the forward and backward code analysis on the Launch Sequencer (LSEQ) and wrote hazard assessments on conventional safety problems.
Education
Master of Engineering - Systems Engineering
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia01.2001
Master of Sciences - Applied Mathematics (Engineering Concentration)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia01.1996
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry/Mathematics
UVA/Virginia Commonwealth University
Richmond, Virginia12.1989
Skills
- Project Planning
- Scope Management
- Client Relationship Management
- Project Scheduling
- Agile Methodology
- Project Management
- Team Leadership
- Team Collaboration
- Budget Control
- Work Planning and Prioritization
- Detail Oriented
- Conflict Resolution
- Stakeholder Relations
- Agile Methodologies
- Creative Thinking
- Relationship Building
- Documentation Management
- Schedule Coordination
- Meeting participation
- Training and mentoring
- Project plan development
Leadership Experience
As the H34 Missile Portfolio Senior Project Leader, I continue to have near-daily interaction with personnel from the STANDARD Missile, CIWS (Phalanx), RAM, ESSM, NSSMS program offices, and Strategic Capabilities Office (SCO) including conducting biweekly/monthly meetings and information exchange with executive sponsors for schedule, budget, and quality of all missile system programs supported by NSWC Dahlgren. I lead program planning and schedule development sessions for the program to ensure Dahlgren efforts are focused on achieving necessary program milestones and deliverables. Additionally. I am responsible for several special projects, interacting with Combat System team across Field Activities that are bringing critical capability to the warfighter. Impact - As a result of my leadership and outstanding customer interface, NSWCDD enjoys an excellent reputation with the NSPO, SCO and PEO IWS 3 program offices and has become the problem solving “go to” organization for those POs.
Position Apply For
IWS12-NH-0801-04 NCP
Citizenship
US
Professional Address
NSWC DD Code H34, Dahlgren, VA, 22448-5157
Residence Address
8 Ashcroft Drive, Fredericksburg, VA, 22405
Cell
540-621-2562
Work Email
amara.e.halt.civ@us.navy.mil
Dawia Credentials
Engineering (Formerly SPRDE) Level III, 2005
Significant Awards
- NSWC DD Diversity Media Arts Award in History/Literature, 2014
- Program Executive Office Integrated Warfare Systems Excellence Award, March 2019
- Department Of The NAVY MERITORIOUS CIVILIAN SERVICE AWARD, 2020
Completed Training
- Managing Conflicts
- Microsoft Projects
- Advanced Project and Risk Management
- Mid-Level Leadership Program
- ERP Project Management training
- Software Safety Certificate Course (Naval Postgraduate School)
- System Safety Certificate Course (University of Southern California)
- Explosives Hazard Classification (University of Cincinnati)
Current Training
- DAWIA Practitioner Certification
- DAU AI/ML
Professional Publications
- ISSC 22 Paper: “Safety Design Requirements and Guidelines for Open Systems Architecture”, 2004.
- ISSC 21 Paper: “Risk Assessment: SW Safety vs HW Safety”, 2003.
- Master Thesis: "The Application of Wavelet Transform in 2-D", 1996.
Security Clearance
TS/SCI
Personal Information
Title: Technical Director
Languages
Cambodian
Full Professional
French
Limited Working
Timeline
Missile Systems Project Manager
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2006 - 01.2012
Missile Safety Group Lead
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2005 - 01.2006
Principal For Safety
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2005 - 01.2006
SM Software Safety Engineer
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2000 - 01.2006
SM Production/RDT&E
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.2000 - 01.2006
Missile Portfolio Senior Project Manager
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.1999 - Current
SM System Safety Engineer
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.1999 - 01.2006
SM-2 Blk IVA
Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
01.1999 - 01.2001
System Safety Analyst/Programmer
Computer Sciences Corporation
01.1997 - 01.1999
Master of Engineering - Systems Engineering
University of Virginia
Master of Sciences - Applied Mathematics (Engineering Concentration)
Virginia Commonwealth University
Bachelor of Science - Chemistry/Mathematics
UVA/Virginia Commonwealth University