Leon Owens
Ramsey,NJ
Summary
Highly accomplished Senior General Engineer with over 20 years of experience directing complex armament systems development, systems engineering processes, and advanced Research & Development (R&D) projects for the U.S. Department of the Army. Possesses expertise in project management, Radio Frequency (RF) engineering, signal processing, finite element analysis, and the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) solutions. Demonstrates a proven ability to lead diverse technical teams, manage contractor activities, and coordinate effectively with key military and government stakeholders. Seeks to leverage extensive technical leadership and engineering acumen in a challenging new role.
Overview
26
26
years of professional experience
Work History
General Engineer (Armaments Project Officer)
Department of the Army
05.2024 - Current
- Serve as the Armaments Project Officer (APO) for the XM250 Close Terrain Shaping Obstacles (CTSO) program, managed by the Program Manager (PM) Close Combat Systems
- Direct a diverse team of scientists and engineers throughout the full system development lifecycle, encompassing requirements definition, systems engineering reviews, technical management, and risk analysis
- Coordinate activities with the prime contractor, ensuring strict adherence to program objectives, budget constraints, and established timelines
- Mentored junior engineers, providing guidance on best practices and fostering a collaborative team environment.
- Assisted with the preparation of project proposals, including developing cost estimates and identifying resource requirements.
DEVCOM Integrator (General Engineer)
U.S. Army DEVCOM HQ Science & Technology Integration (S&T I)
04.2023 - 05.2024
- Directed integration program management efforts between DEVCOM and the United States Military Academy (USMA)
- Established and maintained a DEVCOM-wide Common Operating Picture (COP) for all USMA collaborations, integrating data on Memorandums of Agreement/Understanding (MOAs/MOUs), funding, research projects, and personnel to enhance strategic oversight
- Led initiatives to identify and pursue opportunities within the DEVCOM-USMA framework, focusing on increasing research integration, expanding cadet/faculty research, coordinating exchanges, and developing partnerships to maximize Army Return on Investment (ROI) in research
- Established and chaired a Command Integrated Product Team (IPT) involving key USMA Coordination Points of Contact (POCs) from each Center/Laboratory, streamlining communication and collaboration
- Implemented rigorous reporting structures and provided assessments to guide future DEVCOM Liaison Officer (LNO) assignment and strategic partnership development at USMA
General Engineer
Department of the Army
08.1999 - 04.2023
- Served as Technical Lead for the Close Terrain Shaping Obstacles (CTSO) Increment 1 development within JPEO Armaments & Ammunition, PM Close Combat Systems
- Led technical teams through comprehensive system development and engineering processes for CTSO, including requirements development, system engineering reviews, and risk analysis
- Managed activities and coordination with the prime contractor for CTSO development efforts
- Served as the Agreements Officer Representative (AOR), overseeing specific contractual agreements
- Represented the U.S
- Army's interests as a member of NATO's Military Engineering Working Group
- Led the Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Cyber (C5) Working Integrated Product Team (WIPT) and served as contract lead for the CTSO Urgent Material Release/Middle Tier Acquisition (Section 804)
- Designed, developed, evaluated, and tested advanced communication and sensor systems for military applications
- Conducted complex finite element analysis (FEA) and multi-physics modeling (COMSOL) focused on antennas, radar cross-sections (RCS), RF propagation/scattering, and magnetics
- Developed and implemented advanced signal processing algorithms (digital, stochastic, wavelets) for diverse sensor modalities, including acoustic, Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR), magnetic, nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR), and radar
- Applied Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) techniques using TensorFlow and Python for data analysis and algorithm development in sensing applications
- Coordinated technical requirements and integration efforts with key stakeholders, including the National Security Agency (NSA), Army Spectrum Management Office, Army Cross Domain Management Office, Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), and Army Mission Command
- Collaborated with other departments to facilitate successful project completion.
Education
Master of Science - Electrical Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology
Hoboken, NJ05.2018
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of Texas at Austin
Austin, TX05.1996
Skills
- Python
- MATLAB
- C
- TensorFlow
- COMSOL Multiphysics
- R
- Digital Signal Processing
- Stochastic Signal Processing
- Finite Element Analysis
- Artificial Intelligence
- Machine Learning
- Sensor Systems
- Systems Engineering
- Requirements Development
- Risk Analysis
- RF Propagation Modeling
- RF Scattering Modeling
- Project Leadership
- Technical Management
- Cross-Functional Team Leadership
- Stakeholder Coordination
- Contractor Management
- Agile Methodologies
Affiliations
Tau Beta Pi - The Engineering Honor Society
Technical Proficiencies
Python, MATLAB, C++, TensorFlow, COMSOL Multiphysics, Caffe, R, Electrical Engineering (Systems, RF, Electromagnetics), Digital & Stochastic Signal Processing, Multiresolution Signal Decomposition (Wavelets), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML), Sensor Systems (Acoustic, EO/IR, Magnetic, NQR, Radar), Systems Engineering, Requirements Development, Risk Analysis, RF Propagation & Scattering Modeling, Project Leadership, Technical Management, Cross-Functional Team Leadership, Stakeholder Coordination (NSA, DISA, Army Commands), Contractor Management & Coordination, NATO Working Groups, Agile Methodologies, Agreements Officer Representative (AOR)
Professional Development
- Army Management Staff College - Civilian Education System Advance Course, 04/01/24
- Carnegie Mellon - Data Driven Leadership, 06/01/24 - Scheduled
- Northrop Grumman - Agile Software Development Process, 05/01/20
Publications
- E-Field Detection Experiments of Common Sniper Rifle Bullets, Owens, L. E., Kinasewitz, R. T., et al., Meeting of the Military Sensing Symposia (MSS) BAMS, 08/01/07
- Bullet Detection and Tracking Using Wearable E-Field Sensors, Owens, L. E., Burke, J., et al., Meeting of the Military Sensing Symposia (MSS), 2009
Timeline
General Engineer (Armaments Project Officer)
Department of the Army
05.2024 - Current
DEVCOM Integrator (General Engineer)
U.S. Army DEVCOM HQ Science & Technology Integration (S&T I)
04.2023 - 05.2024
General Engineer
Department of the Army
08.1999 - 04.2023
Bachelor of Science - Electrical Engineering
University of Texas at Austin
Master of Science - Electrical Engineering
Stevens Institute of Technology
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