Brennon Bortz
Chief Engineer
Fresno,CA
Summary
Seasoned Chief Engineer with nearly 30 years of experience in systems engineering and IT solutions, specializing in the design, development, and sustainment of mission-critical applications in the healthcare and defense sectors. Proven track record in leading large-scale projects, mentoring engineering teams, and implementing strategic technological innovations. Expertise in lifecycle management, system architecture, and cloud solutions, coupled with a strong ability to bridge technical and business domains to deliver integrated solutions.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
17
17
years of post-secondary education
Work History
Chief Engineer
Leidos
10.2024 - Current
- Lead technical strategy and engineering oversight for an R&D organization of ~350 individuals, delivering innovative software capabilities across diverse mission domains.
- Designed and implemented a common R&D development lifecycle (IDLC), bringing structure, repeatability, and increased return on investment to internal R&D efforts.
- Built and matured organizational systems that enable reusable, scalable software solutions, driving technology transfer from R&D into operational programs.
- Served as the senior technical leader and primary interface for strategic innovation efforts, proposal solutioning, and cross-organizational coordination.
- Grew a high-performing engineering culture by mentoring technical leaders, improving development practices, and aligning engineering investments with enterprise priorities.
- Promoted technology-based differentiation through governance of software architecture decisions, toolsets, and reuse strategies.
Chief Engineer
Leidos
2 2022 - 11.2024
- Spearheaded the architecture and deployment of the $8B CHS-6 program, leading the development of the Leidos Intelligent Logistics Platform from concept to enhanced operational capability.
- Pioneered the establishment of the Leidos Mechanicsburg Software Factory, facilitating advanced software development and integration.
- Directed the LMSO Digital Modernization team, ensuring robust support and evolution of critical infrastructure, aligned with strategic IT roadmaps.
- Orchestrated cloud architecture strategies, enhancing system flexibility and scalability.
- Engaged extensively with major stakeholders, translating complex requirements into executable, high-quality solutions.
- Led the development of technical solutions for new business and recompete captures for home and partner operations.
- Identified as operation nominee for the 2023 Leidos Leadership Roundtable program.
- Led the support of technical contributions to a key Leidos UK red program recoveries and provided technical leadership to a critical data analysis effort on the LCS(T) program.
- Provided project leadership to IR&D efforts in a dynamic technology-driven environment with multiple priorities, managing project scope, schedule, status and documentation.
- Defined cloud architecture for both hybrid and non-hybrid cloud solutions.
- Developed specifications, drawings and engineering artifacts and reports.
Chief Engineer
Leidos
05.2021 - 02.2022
- Led the architectural design and successful system implementation and deployment for ASPR Ready, a critical application used by emergency management personnel worldwide. Oversaw the full lifecycle, from conceptualization through to implementation and accreditation, ensuring compliance with stringent security regulations.
- Directed the deployment of the first Kubernetes-based solution deployed for the US Department of Health and Human Services and the first public-facing Leidos Enterprise Application Framework (LEAF)-based application.
- Championed innovative technical solutions, conducting extensive research and prototypes to minimize risks and enhance system capabilities, which directly contributed to operational reliability and user satisfaction.
- Led research on and conducted spikes and prototypes of new technical solutions to reduce risk and evaluate capabilities.
- Managed cross-functional teams, overseeing the integration of system requirements, design, and testing phases to meet critical deadlines and performance metrics.
- Served in a multifaceted role encompassing program management, requirements analysis, and numerous engineering duties, enhancing both system resilience and stakeholder confidence.
Adjunct Professor
Fresno Pacific University
04.2020 - Current
- Evaluated and revised lesson plans and course content to facilitate and moderate classroom discussions and student-centered learning.
- Delivered courses in software quality assurance and database management systems and programming.
Software Architect
Leidos
05.2016 - 05.2021
- Lead a high-performing Agile team of software engineers and testers, often acting as both scrum master and product owner, in development of Unified Collections Operations Reporting Network (UNICORN), a complex airborne ISR system designed for robust intelligence gathering.
- Tailored software solutions to align with existing client hardware environments, ensuring seamless integration and operational efficiency across multiple systems.
- Developed comprehensive guidelines and frameworks to streamline application design and accelerate development cycles, significantly reducing time-to-fielding.
- Produced detailed architectural diagrams and conducted presentations to stakeholders, effectively communicating technical specifications and garnering support for strategic initiatives.
- Fostered a collaborative team environment, mentoring staff and encouraging innovative problem-solving, which led to improved software functionality and customer satisfaction.
Graduate Research Assistant and Instructor
Virginia Tech
01.2012 - 05.2016
- Directly instructed and aided for undergraduate programming courses in Java and cloud software development.
- Performed statistical, qualitative, and quantitative analysis.
- Prepared materials for reports, presentations, and submissions to peer-reviewed journal publications.
- Presented results to field experts at numerous international conferences.
- Guided research efforts of members of Prof. Benjamin Knapp's research lab.
Consultant
Senstream
09.2011 - 06.2014
- Developed first versions of software and firmware for Senstream’s revolutionary fingertip-worn affect detection device.
Software Developer
Ecliptic Labs
08.2011 - 02.2012
- Developed iOS and Mac OS X applications for clients ranging from small businesses in Northern Ireland to multinational corporations.
- Collaborated with other developers on Agile software development team.
Software Researcher
Dundalk Institute of Technology / CASALA
11.2009 - 09.2011
- Developed touch-screen and television-based interfaces geared toward ambient assisted-living for deployment in homes of older adults.
- Developed software architecture for collection and mining of data from an array of >2,000 sensors embedded in homes of older adults.
- Wrote research papers, reports, reviews, and summaries regarding ambient assisted living.
Software Developer / Systems Administrator
Office Automation Group
03.2008 - 12.2009
- Developed a number of bespoke software solutions to meet both in-house and client requirements ranging from timekeeping and billing systems to tracking and management of >1,000,000 wiring endpoints in San Francisco high rises.
- Designed and installed high-end networking, VoIP, and other telecommunications solutions to clients in the commercial, industrial, and military sectors.
Software Developer
Independent Consultant
04.2003 - 05.2016
- Developed range of software solutions for clients in the United States and Europe. Solutions ranged from mobile applications on various platforms, to web applications and firmware, among others.
- At times, collaborated with other independent consultants in development of novel applications.
Education
Ph.D./M.S. - Computer Science
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, VA 01.2012 - 07.2019
M.A. With Distinction - Sonic Arts
Queen’s University Belfast
Belfast, Northern Ireland 09.2008 - 12.2009
M.A. With Highest Honors - Music Composition
University of California, Riverside
Riverside, CA 09.2005 - 12.2007
B.A. - Music Theory And Composition
Pepperdine University
Malibu, CA 08.1998 - 12.2004
Skills
Systems Engineering and Architecture
Additional Information
- US Citizen with an active TS/SCI clearance.
- List of publications available upon request.
References
References available upon request
Timeline
Chief Engineer
Leidos
10.2024 - Current
Chief Engineer
Leidos
05.2021 - 02.2022
Adjunct Professor
Fresno Pacific University
04.2020 - Current
Software Architect
Leidos
05.2016 - 05.2021
Graduate Research Assistant and Instructor
Virginia Tech
01.2012 - 05.2016
Ph.D./M.S. - Computer Science
Virginia Tech
01.2012 - 07.2019
Consultant
Senstream
09.2011 - 06.2014
Software Developer
Ecliptic Labs
08.2011 - 02.2012
Software Researcher
Dundalk Institute of Technology / CASALA
11.2009 - 09.2011
M.A. With Distinction - Sonic Arts
Queen’s University Belfast
09.2008 - 12.2009
Software Developer / Systems Administrator
Office Automation Group
03.2008 - 12.2009
M.A. With Highest Honors - Music Composition
University of California, Riverside
09.2005 - 12.2007
Software Developer
Independent Consultant
04.2003 - 05.2016
B.A. - Music Theory And Composition
Pepperdine University
08.1998 - 12.2004
Chief Engineer
Leidos
2 2022 - 11.2024
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