Michael Kennedy
Operations Analysis & Systems Engineering Leader
Gig Harbor
Summary
Operations-focused systems and mission analysis leader with 10+ years supporting defense and UAS customers through mission execution, requirements development, and full system lifecycle ownership. Proven ability to translate customer operational needs into technical requirements, evaluate design and operational tradeoffs, and ensure first-time quality across distributed, autonomy-enabled systems. Experienced interfacing with customers, engineering, and leadership to communicate mission value backed by analysis. Proficient in Python and MATLAB for analytical support.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
2
2
Certifications
Work History
Manager, Aviation Procedures & Technical Publications
Insitu
01.2021 - Current
- Led enterprise-wide development of UAS operational requirements, procedures, and technical publications based on customer mission needs, regulatory constraints, and system performance considerations.
- Translated operational requirements into procedural and system-level requirements, maintaining traceability through design, fielding, and sustainment to ensure first-time quality.
- Analyzed operational data, field feedback, and mission outcomes to inform iterative procedural updates and design recommendations.
- Supported distributed deployments across dozens of contested, austere, and predominantly international operational sites, ensuring standardized execution while accommodating mission-specific tradeoffs.
- Directed transition to new authoring and configuration management tools, improving publication throughput and enterprise efficacy by ~40%.
Chief Technical Pilot
Insitu
01.2020 - Current
- Served as technical authority bridging customers, engineering, and flight operations to evaluate operational impact of new autonomy and system capabilities.
- Developed and refined customer-driven requirements and tracked design implementation through development and fielding.
- Assessed pilot workload, system behavior, and mission execution to inform design tradeoffs and improve operational effectiveness.
- Supported design reviews and readiness assessments by communicating operational risks, benefits, and mission value to diverse stakeholders.
Standards & Evaluation Lead Pilot
Insitu
01.2018 - 01.2020
- Led development and evaluation of operational standards informed by mission execution, system performance, and safety analysis.
- Provided on-site operational evaluation and feedback during customer site visits, identifying performance gaps and recommending mitigations.
Flight Operations Manager
Textron Systems
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Directed large-scale UAS mission operations (~3,600 flight hours per month), balancing mission readiness, safety, and resource constraints.
- Evaluated technical anomalies and operational risks to maintain mission continuity and system reliability.
Education
MBA - Management & Leadership
Liberty University
B.S. - Aeronautical Science
Liberty University
Skills
- Modeling & Analysis: Mission effectiveness analysis, operational trade studies, requirements analysis, CONOPS evaluation
- Systems & Lifecycle: Requirements development, traceability, design reviews, first-time quality, sustainment support
- Programming & Tools: Python (analysis scripting), MATLAB (engineering analysis), data visualization & briefing
- Mission Domains: ISR, distributed UAS operations, autonomy-enabled systems
- Security: Active US Secret Clearance
Certification
Commercial Pilot - Multi
Timeline
Manager, Aviation Procedures & Technical Publications
Insitu
01.2021 - Current
Chief Technical Pilot
Insitu
01.2020 - Current
Standards & Evaluation Lead Pilot
Insitu
01.2018 - 01.2020
Flight Operations Manager
Textron Systems
01.2012 - 01.2015
Certified Flight Instructor
06-2009
Commercial Pilot - Multi
06-2008
B.S. - Aeronautical Science
Liberty University
MBA - Management & Leadership
Liberty University
SELECTED IMPACT
- Led enterprise requirements, procedures, and technical publications supporting dozens of contested, austere, and predominantly international operational sites, ensuring standardized execution under real-world mission constraints.
- Translated customer operational needs into actionable requirements and design feedback, improving mission effectiveness and first-time quality across multiple UAS platforms.
- Modernized technical authoring and configuration management tooling, increasing documentation and publication efficacy by ~40% while improving traceability and lifecycle control.
- Served as trusted technical interface between customers, engineering, and operations, articulating operational tradeoffs and value propositions to technical and non-technical stakeholders.