Ian Bautista
Redondo Beach,CA
Summary
Innovative and resourceful systems engineer, operations officer, and electronic warfare systems expert with 25+ years of experience in major defense acquisition programs. Proven track record leading high-performing project teams, excelling in problem-solving and multi-tasking in high-pressure environments. Recognized for complex analytical and critical thinking skills, dynamic leadership, and training capabilities. Trusted for integrity, results-driven approach, and positive, motivating management style. Excellent interpersonal skills with extensive experience briefing at the highest levels of the Department of Defense.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Professor of Systems Engineering
Defense Acquisition University
05.2021 - Current
- Directed an extensive graduate level engineering certification program, providing education to more than 40K Department of Defense engineers
- Designed a cutting-edge 10-week course for Space Force acquisition professionals, resulting in an impressive 80% reduction in certification timeline
- Enhanced student understanding through the development of highly interactive and engaging lessons resulting in a 20% rise in course ratings
- Demonstrated exceptional interpersonal and communication skills, facilitating effective technical discussions with students
Chief Developmental Tester
Space Systems Command
08.2016 - 04.2021
- Directed comprehensive developmental testing for 26 major defense acquisition programs, overseeing a $2.7 billion portfolio for Military Satellite Communications and Global Positioning Systems, ensuring technical compliance and mission readiness
- Provided strategic counsel to the Program Executive Officer on operational test readiness for various programs, while acting as the primary liaison to the Office of the Secretary of Defense, ensuring seamless communication and alignment with defense policies
- Led a 130-member team to successfully test and deploy a $250 million national cryptography upgrade, significantly enhancing the security and reliability of Presidential nuclear command and control systems
Executive Officer to the Commander
LeMay Center for Doctrine Development
05.2015 - 07.2016
- Served as Executive Officer to dual-hatted 2-star General, overseeing Air Force education and doctrine development as the Air Force Chief of Staff’s executive agent, ensuring strategic alignment and operational excellence
- Orchestrated high-level interactions for the Commander with Air Education and Training Command (AETC), Joint/Air Staff, Department of Defense (DoD), and key state, local, and industry leaders, fostering strategic partnerships and ensuring alignment with defense objectives
- Spearheaded revision of 38 joint publications and 5200 line items, securing the Air Forces' position in joint and international arenas
Chief, Professional Continuing Education
LeMay Center for Doctrine Development
08.2013 - 04.2015
- Led 14 active-duty and civil service instructors across 3 Warfighting Education courses
- Oversaw 119 instructional periods and 168 hours of course curriculum; executed 24 classes and educated over 1300 planners critical to Combatant Commanders' operational readiness
- Personally instructed 15 classes in the Contingency Wartime Planning Course to over 1000 students.
Director of Operations
16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, Detachment 1
08.2010 - 07.2013
- Directed operations for for the Air Force's sole $65M Centralized Repair Facility for agressor electronic attack training pods; led production of 326 pods, supporting 18,500 flight hours for 36 fighter wings.
- Led unit for adversary fighter electronic warfare training; provided realistic enemy electronic attack scenarios for 355 live-fire missile shots enhancing operational combat effectiveness
- Orchestrated Combat Air Forces' electronic warfare (EW) assessment program; evaluated 18 fighter wings to define fleet combat readiness for the Chief of Staff of the Air Force
Director of Operations
570th Global Mobility Readiness Squadron
11.2008 - 07.2010
- Directed operations for a rapidly deployable squadron of multi-skilled expeditionary combat teams, consisting of 14 different career fields, to open airfields in remote environments.
- Led Security Forces/Air Traffic Control/Intel/Airfield Mgt/Civil Engineering/Contracting/Finance/Supply/Fuels/Vehicle Maintenance personnel during in-garrison and deployed contingency operations.
Intelligence Officer
15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron
04.2006 - 10.2008
- Deployed as Air Mobility Intelligence Chief; managed intelligence support for all Middle East Mobility Air Force missions, overseeing 35,000 combat sorties that transported 650,000 passengers and 135,000 tons of cargo.
- Directed detailed threat analysis on 55 airfields in Iraq and Afghanistan.
- Developed and managed intelligence products, policies, and procedures, directly supporting 2,200 military personnel.
- Prepared and presented force protection and current intelligence briefs to Commanders and staff, enhancing situational awareness and operational readiness.
Systems Integration Product Team Lead
Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions
04.2003 - 03.2006
- Led 34-person joint-Service team for $9M engineering study to enhance F-35 weapons bay and load options, providing quarterly briefings to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.
- Managed a $3M urban-operations drone program, closing the gap in warfighter targeting capabilities. Successfully coordinated efforts with 3 universities and 5 contractors, ensuring U.S. dominance in drone technology.
Graduate Student
Air Force Institute of Technology
08.2001 - 03.2003
- Awarded Masters of Science in Aeronautical Engineering - Air Weapons & Aerodynamics
- Published thesis in American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Journal: Cold-Flow Testing of a Subscale Model Exhaust System for a Space-Based Laser
Aerospace Structural Engineer
C-130 System Program Office
05.1998 - 07.2001
- Air Force lead for C-130 corrosion and paint engineering, acting as the single point of contact for 5 depot paint facilities. Seamlessly transitioned into a challenging role, ensuring no loss of continuity and maintaining operational efficiency.
- Delivered on-site engineering repair designs for C-130 operators globally, while providing daily engineering guidance to over 1,500 depot maintenance technicians.
Education
Master of Science - Aeronautical Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology
Wright Patterson AFB, OH03.2003
Bachelor of Science - Aeronautical Engineering
U.S. Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO05.1998
Skills
- Team Leadership
- Strategic Planning
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Risk Management
- Operating Budgets
- Organizational Efficiency
- Project Management
- Coaching and Mentoring
- Relationship building and management
Certification
DAWIA Test & Evaluation Level III Certification
DAWIA Engineering Level III Certification
Timeline
Professor of Systems Engineering
Defense Acquisition University
05.2021 - Current
Chief Developmental Tester
Space Systems Command
08.2016 - 04.2021
Executive Officer to the Commander
LeMay Center for Doctrine Development
05.2015 - 07.2016
Chief, Professional Continuing Education
LeMay Center for Doctrine Development
08.2013 - 04.2015
Director of Operations
16th Electronic Warfare Squadron, Detachment 1
08.2010 - 07.2013
Director of Operations
570th Global Mobility Readiness Squadron
11.2008 - 07.2010
Intelligence Officer
15th Air Mobility Operations Squadron
04.2006 - 10.2008
Systems Integration Product Team Lead
Air Force Research Laboratory, Munitions
04.2003 - 03.2006
Graduate Student
Air Force Institute of Technology
08.2001 - 03.2003
Aerospace Structural Engineer
C-130 System Program Office
05.1998 - 07.2001
DAWIA Test & Evaluation Level III Certification
DAWIA Engineering Level III Certification
Master of Science - Aeronautical Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Aeronautical Engineering
U.S. Air Force Academy
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