Expertise
Military Airworthiness Certification, Financial Management, Technical Engineering Management
Profile
Mr. Doug Atkinson has more than 40 years of aerospace engineering experience, with a unique skillset that also includes financial management, program management, airworthiness, and digital engineering expertise. He has held significant roles throughout his career, including acquisition engagement liaison, systems architect subject matter expert (SME), and director of engineering (DoE) in the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL) and within three Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (AFLCMC) Directorates: Fighters and Bombers (now AFLCMC/WA and AFLCMC/WB), Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Special Operations Forces (ISR/SOF) (AFLCMC/WI), and Agile Combat Support (ACS) (AFLCMC/WN). Doug has provided systems engineering, airworthiness and science and technical management expertise across the AFRL enterprise as the Delegated Technical Authority (DTA) for airworthiness for all AFRL science and technology projects.
Significant Career Accomplishments
Former program management, engineering, airworthiness and digital engineering SME for Boeing, interfacing with USAF personnel to improve communication and mutual understanding. Portfolio included VC-25B Presidential Aircraft, KC-46, AFRL, AFLCMC Engineering Directorate (AFLCMC/EN), Air Force Materiel Command Engineering Directorate (AFMC/EN) and the Department of the Air Force Digital Transformation Office (DAF/DTO).
As DTA for airworthiness for all AFRL science and technology projects, reported directly to the AFRL commander providing systems engineering, airworthiness and science and technical management expertise across the $5B, 8,000 employee, AFRL enterprise.
Former DTA for airworthiness for the fighter/bomber portfolio which includes the A-10, B-1, B-2, B-52, F-15, F-16, F-22, foreign military sales (FMS) programs including F-15 Saudi, A-29, and special programs. Responsible for organizing, training, and equipping engineering for all programs and the F-35 and B-21 system program offices.
Provided technical guidance and engineering management oversight for the development, integration, production and sustainment of ISR and SOF systems; airworthiness DTA for over 40 MDS including RQ-4, MQ-1, MQ-9, U-2, AC-130, EC-130, CV-22, RC-135, all USAF rotary wing, battlefield airman programs, sensors, data links, foreign military and Big Safari programs.
Provided expert technical guidance and engineering management oversight to AFMC’s Agile Combat Support (ACS) Directorate; diverse portfolio included training aircraft, simulators, propulsion, support equipment, and human-centered equipment. Standardized systems engineering processes to ensure effective execution of programs to develop, acquire, field, and modernize warfighter capabilities.
Key Positions
Acquisition Engagement Liaison, Boeing Defense, Space and Security
Director of Engineering, AFRL
Director of Engineering, AFLCMC/WA/WB (formerly AFLCMC/WW)
Director of Engineering, AFLCMC/WI
Director of Engineering, AFLCMC/WN
Education
MS, Management Science, University of Dayton
MS, National Security Strategy, National War College
BS, Electrical Engineering, Virginia Tech
