Dana R. Troutman
League City
Summary
Dynamic Engineering Director with a strong track record of leading high-performing teams and executing strategic initiatives that drive organizational growth. Expertise in directing cross-functional projects that yield significant process improvements and enhance operational efficiencies. Proven ability to foster collaborative environments through exceptional leadership and communication skills, consistently delivering impactful results aligned with business objectives. Committed to driving innovation and excellence in engineering practices to support long-term success.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Engineering Director, Interiors
COLLINS AEROSPACE
2018 - Current
- Central Engineering leader for SBU wide Engineering Excellence and Configuration Management. Responsible for developing and institutionalizing high-quality, reliable, scalable, and maintainable tools and processes to meet engineering and business needs across the worldwide business unit.
- Responsible for technical business capture for the $1B Commercial and Military Seating Business Unit. Effectively driving 25%+ sales growth in alignment with post-COVID strategic financial plan, establishing a product strategy re-centered around core products/strengths, and increasing capture rate by 30%.
- Executive, Military, and Specialty Seating Engineering Director responsible for tactical and strategic portfolio planning and execution. Initiatives identified resulting in 25%+ top line growth and bottom-line profitability; site and product consolidation, FVL/FLRAA investment and capture, agile development, and cross business unit distributed IPT engagement.
- Lighting and Oxygen Systems Global Engineer Director responsible for strategic and technical integration of four legacy business units spanning five countries and three continents. Established a matrix functionally aligned organization leveraging site-to-site critical skills and expertise, resulting in the successful capture and 20% growth in engineering development contracts utilizing existing personnel and capacity.
Engineering Director, Missions Systems
COLLINS AEROSPACE
Vergennes, VT
2014 - 2018
- Strategic and tactical responsibility and accountability for technical, programmatic, and financial execution of an $65 million engineering portfolio which encompassed 350 engineers, 3 global locations, and generates $30 million of engineering sales.
- Developed an aggressive outsourcing strategy which leveraged low-cost international outsourcing and established a Vermont local aerospace contracting office resulting in a $5 million annual savings and increased the utilization and effectiveness of the existing engineering team.
Engineering Site Manager, Mission Systems
COLLINS AEROSPACE
Houston, TX
2010 - 2014
- Responsible for the NASA Space Suite and International Space Station life support technical products and processes for United Technologies Aerospace Systems and program partners; Stinger Ghaffarian Technologies (SGT), Oceaneering, and ILC Dover [350 direct and matrixed engineers with a $75 million annual budget].
- Provide extravehicular activity (EVA) operational support for NASA’s International Space Station (ISS) Program, ensuring safe manned operations, monitoring critical systems health, and identifying system upgrades to enhance crew member safety, decrease operational cost, and extend system operational life.
Engineering Director, Space Shuttle Program
UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE
Houston, Texas
01.2004 - 01.2010
- Established and led a multi-company, cross functional SSP integration organization spanning three NASA Centers resulting in the successful completion of 16 Shuttle missions. Responsible for SE&I launch operations and readiness, on-orbit technical issue resolution and post flight performance reconstruction.
- USA Lead, and NASA Co-Lead, for a nationwide industry investigation regarding Space Shuttle Main Engine Cut Off sensor failures, which caused multiple Space Shuttle launch scrubs and significant program delays. A comprehensive component, subsystem and system investigation resulted in a suite of component, software, and operational improvements, which eliminated re-occurrence.
Program Manager, F-22/F119 Engine Control Systems
PRATT & WHITNEY
Windsor Locks, CT
01.1987 - 01.2004
- Direct report to the VP of the $650 million P&L entity for manufacture, delivery and field support of engine and aircraft control systems. Full P&L responsibility for $85 million annual program with 150+ direct and indirect reports.
- Directed all corporate functions relating to the design, development, integration, test, production, and operational support of the F119 Engine Control System.
- Engineering Manager, Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) Electronic Systems
- Established and led an international engineering team to develop an integrated engine and lift fan electronic control architecture optimizing system performance, operational and maintainability requirements. The system architecture utilized high reliability common components and suppliers to minimize lifecycle cost and streamline logistic support.
- Developed a highly efficient multi-disciple team which successfully reduced engine control production cost, weight, and manufacturing lead-time.
- Deputy Program Manager, F119 Engine Controls
- Pratt & Whitney F-22 Engine Controls subject matter expert; technical point of contact for U.S. Air Force, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing Weapon Systems Integrated Product Teams.
- Implemented and certified EVMS reporting processes internally and throughout prime contractor facilities; established and baselined WBS(s), resource loading, schedules, control accounts and program management reserve. Effectively managed program under cost and on schedule.
Education
Ph.D. - Systems Engineering
INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY
Master of Science - Systems Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Bachelor of Science - Engineering Science
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Executive MBA Certificate - undefined
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA Darden School of Business
RTX Finance for Engineering Training
PURDUE UNIVERSITY Daniels School of Business
Skills
- Technical Leadership ~ Strategic Direction ~ Product/System Development
- Results-oriented leader in aerospace management
- Risk Management
- Organization agility and collaboration
- Strategic and Technical Problem Solving
- Change Management
- Organizational Performance
- Lifecycle Management
- Earned Value Management
- Flight H/W Certification (Military & FAA/EASA)
- Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR)
Accomplishments
- Established a commercial seating technology insertion and product development strategy/roadmap resulting in a $20M (10%) year-over-year non-recurring cost reduction and $40M top line growth.
- Identified and implemented a strategic growth plan using part family architecture, domestic and international outsourcing, and aggressive critical skills recruiting which resulted in 15+% year-over-year engineering sales and EBIT growth, with minimal investment and existing engineering capacity.
- Led a joint corporate and government technical team which developed an economical U.S. Space Suit upgrade program reducing International Space Station Program risk, decreased life-cycle cost and extended extra vehicular activity (EVA) operability to 2028.
- Established, trained, and led the Space Shuttle Program Systems Engineering & Integration (SE&I) organization resulting in sixteen successful Space Shuttle Missions.
- Awarded the USAF Wright Stuff Award for executing the $380 million USAF F-22 Engine Control Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) Program on schedule and under cost; successfully meeting all performance, operability, and maintainability requirements.
- Identified and implemented F-119 $250,000 ship set cost savings (20%) via value engineering, manufacturing process improvement, lean engineering design/manufacturing, and supplier sourcing initiatives.
HONORS/ AFFILIATIONS
NASA Superior Leadership Award, Engine Cut-Off Sensor Anomaly Resolution Team, USAF Wright Stuff Award, F119/F22 Engineering & Manufacturing Development Program performance., UTC Patent Award, (2x) Embedded Control System EMC/EMI Development and Verification, United Technologies Leadership Award, F-22 Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (EEE) lead, Committee Member, Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) AE-4, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects, U.S. Security Clearance, previous top-secret clearance
Timeline
Engineering Director, Space Shuttle Program
UNITED SPACE ALLIANCE
01.2004 - 01.2010
Program Manager, F-22/F119 Engine Control Systems
PRATT & WHITNEY
01.1987 - 01.2004
Master of Science - Systems Engineering
UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA
Bachelor of Science - Engineering Science
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
Executive MBA Certificate - undefined
UNIVERSITY OF VIRGINIA Darden School of Business
RTX Finance for Engineering Training
PURDUE UNIVERSITY Daniels School of Business
Engineering Director, Interiors
COLLINS AEROSPACE
2018 - Current
Engineering Director, Missions Systems
COLLINS AEROSPACE
2014 - 2018
Engineering Site Manager, Mission Systems
COLLINS AEROSPACE
2010 - 2014
Ph.D. - Systems Engineering
INDIANA STATE UNIVERSITY