Michael Walker
Navarre
Summary
Professional systems engineer with comprehensive experience in designing, implementing, and optimizing complex IT infrastructures. Skilled in network architecture, cybersecurity, and cloud computing, with strong focus on team collaboration and achieving results. Known for adaptability, problem-solving abilities, and effective communication, ensuring reliable and innovative solutions in dynamic environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Systems Engineer, Level IV
Torch Technologies
Eglin AFB, FL
04.2025 - Current
- Trusted primary advisor to Government Systems Engineering IPT Lead for Long-Range Standoff Weapon System
- Led SPO updates to Systems Engineering Plan for Production & Deployment; Managing Milestone C Entry Criteria
- Adept in requirements generation, documentation, tracking, & verification; leverages AI; praised for attention to detail
Senior Associate, Air Force Business Development
SURVICE Engineering
Fort Walton Beach, FL
04.2023 - 03.2025
- Led SURVICE Air Force Sector in identifying opportunities related to vulnerability & lethality of DoD systems
- Collaborated with DoD, industry, and academia in areas of modeling & simulation, test & evaluation, digital transformation, software development, wargaming, weaponeering, AI/ML, and eVTOL UAS development & production
Branch Chief, Collaborative Interfaces & Teaming
Human Performance Wing
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
07.2022 - 04.2023
- Directed 97-mbr Branch, $14M/yr in R&D promoting effective teaming in human-machine / human-human collaboration
- Led development of software, hardware, & interfaces for manned-unmanned teaming, C2, & distributed domains
- Managed research in human-autonomy teaming & human collaboration in mixed-initiative, multi-team systems
Deputy, Readiness Product Line Lead
Human Performance Wing
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
05.2022 - 07.2022
- Guided development of a/c flight & sim tools to enhance mission training, planning, execution, & assessment
- Managed design of a/c simulator common architecture standards; future integration enabled
- Led creation of performance-based evaluation & tracking system for fighter a/c; training time reduced 50%
- Oversaw launch vehicle processing & flight readiness; ops planning, flight certification, & mission rehearsals
Assistant Professor of Aeronautical Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
10.2017 - 05.2022
- Led $500K+ in original aero research; Advised 1 PhD & 16+ MS students
- Research collaboration with Joint Aircraft Survivability Program (JASP), AFRL/RW, AFRL/RQ, and Lockheed
- Developed & taught 9 MS/PhD-level aero engineering courses (to include Weapons Design, Intro to Turbomachinery, Aircraft Engine Design, Aircraft Combat Survivability, and Experimental Fluid Dynamics) to 125+ students
- Enhanced aircraft performance via Active Flow Control, 60% increase in max lift; increased aircraft survivability via composite armor V50 ballistic tests; improved aircraft lethality via A2A weapon concept & aircraft weapons bay effects
Government Mission Integration Manager, EELV
Launch & Range
Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA
11.2011 - 08.2014
- Led 32-mbr launch mission integration team; NRO, USN, & AFSPC missions on $6B+ EELV program
- Managed NRO space vehicle campaigns worth $2.5B+/yr; reported readiness & advised SPO Dirs / 3 Star
- Delivered $3.5B national intel assets to orbit; led EELV technical / contract changes, saved USG $4.4B
- Oversaw launch vehicle processing & flight readiness; ops planning, flight certification, & mission rehearsals
Flight Commander, Civil Engineering Programs
451st Air Expeditionary Group
Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan
03.2013 - 09.2013
- Directed 9 engineers, executed 55 projects worth $66M, supported 118 aircraft & thousands of NATO troops
- Deployed ISO Operation Enduring Freedom as civil engineer; ensured world’s busiest airfield battle ready
- Developed & executed AEW facility retrograde plan; 54% facility reduction across 22 camps
Branch Chief, EELV Quality Assurance & Production
Launch & Range
Los Angeles Air Force Base, CA
07.2010 - 11.2011
- Directed 16-mbr Branch & interagency stakeholder team to reduce launch vehicle program risk via process improvement
- Led branch through $1.4B launch manifest, certified 4K+ hardware components, $11B NRO assets on-orbit
- Guided EELV consolidation / resolved 75+ contractor issues; reduced hardware flaws 31%, saved $177M/yr
Director of Operations, Engineering Division
National Air & Space Intelligence Center
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
03.2010 - 07.2010
- Managed 85-mbr Squadron / $10M in contractor support; managed all resource, planning, & personnel actions
- Led Squadron through 80+ assessments; identified JSF intel shortfall, averted F-35 OT&E failure
- Solved 10-year Center manpower & resource tracking challenges; solution adopted across Center
Lead Engineer, Unmanned Aircraft Weapon Systems
National Air & Space Intelligence Center
Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, OH
03.2007 - 03.2010
- Produced technical assessments on performance capabilities and limitations of foreign UAVs
- Authored 15+ briefings, 20+ reports, and 50+ web-pages on threat foreign UAVs to US warfighters
- Discovered unknown Chinese UAV and alerted PACOM; drove OPLAN update to counter threat
Aeronautical Engineer for Turbulence Research
Air Force Research Laboratory
Hanscom Air Force Base, MA
08.2003 - 08.2005
- Led determination of aircraft aerodynamic response to stratospheric clear air turbulence
- Analyzed flight-critical safety issues via computer simulation; enhanced U2 & Global Hawk flight operations
- Led instrument data collection, 3 Terrier rocket firings for MDA; insured success of $300k+ critical field test
Education
Ph.D. - Aeronautical Engineering
The Ohio State University
Columbus, OH05-2018
MBA - Management
Amberton University
Garland, TX11-2007
Master of Science - Aeronautical Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology
Dayton, OH03-2007
Bachelor of Science - Aeronautical Engineering
United States Air Force Academy
Colorado Springs, CO05-2003
Skills
- Active Secret (TS/SCI eligible) Clearance; Analytical thinking, critical thinking, problem-solving, organization, implementation of AI
- Written & verbal communication, technical writing, publishing research
- Project management, quality assurance, team leadership, collaboration, planning, and coordination
- Experience developing and managing R&D efforts in support of DoD strategic objectives
- Experience leading, managing, and collaborating with military, government, and contractor personnel
- Existing relationships with DoD, Air Force, academia, and industry personnel
- Quality assurance
Certification
- 2014 - Air Command & Staff College (by correspondence)
- 2009 - Squadron Officer School (in-residence & by correspondence)
- 2003 - Air and Space Basic Course (in-residence)
- SPRDE Systems Engineering - Level 1 & 2; SPRDE Program Management - Level 1
Timeline
Senior Systems Engineer, Level IV
Torch Technologies
04.2025 - Current
Senior Associate, Air Force Business Development
SURVICE Engineering
04.2023 - 03.2025
Branch Chief, Collaborative Interfaces & Teaming
Human Performance Wing
07.2022 - 04.2023
Deputy, Readiness Product Line Lead
Human Performance Wing
05.2022 - 07.2022
Assistant Professor of Aeronautical Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology
10.2017 - 05.2022
Flight Commander, Civil Engineering Programs
451st Air Expeditionary Group
03.2013 - 09.2013
Government Mission Integration Manager, EELV
Launch & Range
11.2011 - 08.2014
Branch Chief, EELV Quality Assurance & Production
Launch & Range
07.2010 - 11.2011
Director of Operations, Engineering Division
National Air & Space Intelligence Center
03.2010 - 07.2010
Lead Engineer, Unmanned Aircraft Weapon Systems
National Air & Space Intelligence Center
03.2007 - 03.2010
Aeronautical Engineer for Turbulence Research
Air Force Research Laboratory
08.2003 - 08.2005
MBA - Management
Amberton University
Master of Science - Aeronautical Engineering
Air Force Institute of Technology
Bachelor of Science - Aeronautical Engineering
United States Air Force Academy
Ph.D. - Aeronautical Engineering
The Ohio State University