William C. Thomas
Winnetka,CA
Summary
Accomplished aerospace and defense professional with over 30 years of expertise in flight test operations, program management, and systems engineering, developed through roles at Hughes Aircraft, Raytheon, and Vertex/V2X. Proven leader of multidisciplinary engineering teams, adept at driving high-value airborne sensor programs for defense and commercial sectors. Seasoned Mission Director with over 3,000 flight hours across various airframes, skilled in overseeing comprehensive test planning, execution, and reporting. Retired U.S. Navy Commander with a Top Secret clearance and a robust background in radar and avionics systems.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
Work History
Program Manager / Mission Test Director – Rolls-Royce Flying Test Bed Program (RR FTB)
Vertex / V2X Company
01.2021 - 01.2025
- Directing/leading/managing program finance, contracts, system engineering, aircraft maintenance, flight crew, and RR FTB Facility.
- Directed mission planning and test execution for Boeing 747-200 aircraft flying test bed.
- Led system engineering team in flight test data collection, coordinating with flight crew, maintenance, ground controllers, and target operators.
- Responsible for test execution, ensuring successful completion of all objectives.
- Achieved flawless data acquisition through disciplined mission planning and real-time coordination.
- Billed and collect over $50M through 12 years of RR FTB operations (2012-2025)
Lead Test Director / Project Engineer – Raytheon Multi-Program Testbed (RMT)
Raytheon Company
01.2011 - 01.2021
- Assigned to Rolls-Royce Flying Test Bed Program (RR FTB) – 2012 while continuing to be performing duties with RMT.
- Directed mission planning and execution for multi-platform flight testing programs.
- Led engineering teams in live-flight data collection, coordinating with air crew, ground controllers, target operators.
- Oversaw test execution on board RMT and RR FTB aircraft, ensuring successful completion of all test objectives.
- Achieved flawless data acquisition through disciplined test mission planning and real-time coordination.
Lead Test Director / Project Engineer – WASP Program (Widebody Airborne Sensor Platform)
Raytheon Company
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Led test and mission planning operations for DC-10 WASP program.
- Successfully supported system integration, C-Check, pressure testing, and 32+ test missions and customer flights.
- Established and tracked program milestones and ensured adherence to flight schedules and mission requirements.
Lead Test Director / Project Engineer – DC-10 Captive Carry Airborne Testbed (DCCAT)
Raytheon Company
01.2002 - 01.2007
- Managed all program activities for airborne testbed operations at LAX.
- Chaired Modification Committee and led flight test planning and mission execution.
- Directed successful operations including PAW door testing, SATCOM / JTIDS system installation/validation, and relocation flights.
- Delivered under budget C-Check maintenance and secured safe aircraft return following extensive modifications.
Project Engineer – Advanced Special Receiver (ASR) Program
Raytheon Company
01.2000 - 01.2002
- Managed engineering operations and laboratory systems testing for $15M ASR development.
- Provided Cost Account Management (CAM), system configuration oversight, and test lab establishment.
- Authored ATPs, managed PRAT, and supervised 28+ engineers and technicians.
Lead Test Director – Special Test Evaluation Program (Classified)
Raytheon Company
01.1998 - 01.2000
- Led mission planning and flight testing for classified black program.
- Managed a team of five test directors across multiple classified operations.
Education
M.S - Systems Engineering
University of La Verne
B.S - Mathematics / Engineering
St. Mary’s University
Skills
- Project management expertise
- Flight testing expertise
- Operational planning expertise
- Engineering system solutions
- Regulatory compliance expertise
- Collaboration across diverse teams
- Airborne sensor technology
- Documentation development skills
Timeline
Program Manager / Mission Test Director – Rolls-Royce Flying Test Bed Program (RR FTB)
Vertex / V2X Company
01.2021 - 01.2025
Lead Test Director / Project Engineer – Raytheon Multi-Program Testbed (RMT)
Raytheon Company
01.2011 - 01.2021
Lead Test Director / Project Engineer – WASP Program (Widebody Airborne Sensor Platform)
Raytheon Company
01.2007 - 01.2011
Lead Test Director / Project Engineer – DC-10 Captive Carry Airborne Testbed (DCCAT)
Raytheon Company
01.2002 - 01.2007
Project Engineer – Advanced Special Receiver (ASR) Program
Raytheon Company
01.2000 - 01.2002
Lead Test Director – Special Test Evaluation Program (Classified)
Raytheon Company
01.1998 - 01.2000
B.S - Mathematics / Engineering
St. Mary’s University
M.S - Systems Engineering
University of La Verne
Military Service
- U.S Navy (Retired)
- Commander (0-5) 1972 – 2000
- Radar Intercept Officer (RIO)
- Flight Hours: F4B/N/J/S (1,800 hrs.), F-14A (712 hrs.), DC-10 (400 hrs.), B727 (210 hrs.), 747-200 (472 hrs.).
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