Program Manager, Information Sciences at Air Force Office of Scientific Research
Japan
- Current
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- Program Manager, Information Sciences & Mathematics at Air Force Office of Scientific Research
- Research Scientist at Institute for Human and Machine Cognition
- Past
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- Program Manager at Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Founder and Director, Fmr CEO at PCNAlert.com
- Deputy Program Executive, Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program at NASA Headquarters
- Program Manager, JPL Exploration Systems Engineering at Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Chair, Computing, Software and Automation Integrated Discipline Team at NASA Project Constellation, Chief System Engineer Office
- Deputy Division Manager, Information Technologies and Software Systems Division at Jet Propulsion Laboratory
- Program Manager, Section Manager, Research Scientist at JPL
- Education
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- Chalmers tekniska högskola
- Yale University
- Yale University
- University of Michigan
- Pioneer High School
- Recommended
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22 people have recommended David - Connections
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358
connections
- Industry
- Research
- Websites
David Atkinson’s Summary
Dr. Atkinson is Program Manager for Information Sciences & Mathematics with the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development. He also has an appointment as Research Scientist at the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition. Previously, he was a Program Manager on special assignment from JPL/Caltech to NASA Headquarters as Deputy Program Executive for Lunar Precursor and Robotic Exploration. Earlier, Atkinson was Program Manager of JPL Exploration Systems Engineering, providing critical systems engineering for the start up of NASA's Constellation Program at NASA Johnson Space Center (lunar exploration). Dr. Atkinson was Deputy Manager of the Information Technologies and Software Systems Division at JPL/Caltech, the lead organization for computing, software engineering and IT, including responsibility for the development and operations of major information systems and software for JPL’s flight projects and Deep Space Network, advanced computing and information systems for DoD and other agencies. Dr. Atkinson headed the Section responsible for development of key software subsystems of the AMMOS multi-mission system, and oversaw the development of both mission-specific and multi-mission science data systems, such as the Topex SDS and the Planetary Data System. Dr. Atkinson is a member of the IEEE, AIAA, AAAI, and ACM, and has numerous peer-reviewed publications. He has served as a Member of the Industrial Relations Board for California State University at San LuisObispo (CalPoly) Computer Engineering Program. An entrepreneur, he was Founder, CEO and later a Director of PCNAlert.com, acquired in 2008 by IHS, Inc. Dr. Atkinson holds a Ph.D in Computer Systems Engineering (Docent) from Chalmers University of Technology, Gøteborg, Sweden the M.S. and M. Phil degrees in Computer Science fromYale University and the B.A in Psychology from the University of Michigan.
David Atkinson’s Specialties:
Scientific Program Management
Information science and technology
Mission-critical software
Software engineering management
software systems engineering
strategic planning
technology planning and policy
Strategic alliances
technology partnerships
Entrepreneuring
Intrapreneuring
Change management
Management high-tech professionals
product concept and validation
Higher education
research, development
AI, Artificial intelligence
autonomous systems, autonomy, agents
robotics, robots
David Atkinson’s Experience
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Program Manager, Information Sciences & Mathematics
Air Force Office of Scientific Research
(Government Agency; Military industry)
March 2009 — Present (5 months)
Asia Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD). Based in Tokyo, I establish and direct basic research projects in information sciences and mathematics in the region spanning Pan-Asia (e.g., PRC, Korea, Taiwan, Japan, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, India), facilitate international research collaborations, and build relationships among researchers and government science and technology funding agencies.
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Research Scientist
Institute for Human and Machine Cognition
(Educational Institution; Computer Software industry)
September 2008 — Present (11 months)
Currently "on loan" (Interagency Personnel Assignment) to the US Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR), Asia Office of Aerospace Research and Development (AOARD).
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Program Manager
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(Government Agency; Defense & Space industry)
August 2007 — September 2008 (1 year 2 months)
Strategic planning and program development for JPL's Exploration Systems and Technology Office. Temporary assignment to NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. Duties included representing JPL on a panel under the Chief Engineer's Office regarding inventions in interferometric imaging technology. Other recent special topics at NASA Headquarters included small spacecraft, alternative launchers, lunar exploration architecture, integrated certification of flight readiness and others.
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Founder and Director, Fmr CEO
PCNAlert.com
(Privately Held; 51-200 employees; Information Services industry)
January 1995 — March 2008 (13 years 3 months)
Sep 1998 - Mar 2008
Director, SupplyEdge, Inc.
Jan 1995 - Sep 1998
Co-Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer, SupplyEdge, Inc. DBA PCNAlert.com, an Internet-based information services and enterprise software company located in Pasadena, CA. The company’s mission is to support the electronics industry with product lifecycle management solutions with its flagship product PCNalert.com, which provides comprehensive data relating to component obsolescence and other changes that affect production. Raised more than $2 million in private and venture capital investment. Led market validation and quality function deployment activities. Directed successful product launch and growth of a stable customer base. Resigned as CEO in 1998 to return to JPL. Concentration on strategic business activities as a Director; company successfully sold all assets to IHS, Inc in August 2007. -
Deputy Program Executive, Lunar Precursor and Robotic Program
NASA Headquarters
(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Defense & Space industry)
July 2006 — July 2007 (1 year 1 month)
Dr. Atkinson’s primary responsibilities were to provide the NASA Associate Administrator for Exploration, and Advanced Capabilities Division, with insight to the Lunar Precursor Robotic Program (LPRP) and its Projects (LRO, LCROSS); ensure program elements develop, communicate, and manage to approved plans, schedules and milestones; improve HQ visibility and ensure good project management practices are in place; develop a forward-looking lunar robotic missions architecture in collaboration with the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center program office, Constellation Program and the Exploration Architecture study; develop and maintain relationships with key stakeholders; and to provide program development support to the NASA Associate Administrator for Exploration.
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Program Manager, JPL Exploration Systems Engineering
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(Non-Profit; 5001-10,000 employees; Defense & Space industry)
May 2005 — June 2006 (1 year 2 months)
Oversight and participation in all engineering and technical work at JPL provided to NASA's Project Constellation Systems Engineering & Integration Office (CSEIO). The work is multi-disciplinary in nature with early stage systems engineering as a focus. Major interfaces include NASA HQ and all NASA Centers. The Office has leadership within the project in the areas of Telecommunications-networks, Robotic Precursor Missions, and contributes heavily in the areas of multi-mission operations and software systems engineering. Project Constellation is the name of NASA's plan to return humans to the Moon and later, Mars surface exploration.
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Chair, Computing, Software and Automation Integrated Discipline Team
NASA Project Constellation, Chief System Engineer Office
(Government Agency; 10,001 or more employees; Defense & Space industry)
October 2004 — October 2005 (1 year 1 month)
Lead a multidisciplinary team of top NASA experts in computing, software and automation technologies to ensure adequacy of requirements, resources, and schedule across all Constellation elements (including Crew Exploration Vehicle, Lunar missions, and ground/flight infrastructure). Identify risk, risk mitigation tasks, and technology needs; support programmatic and technical review boards, standards selection and implementation committees. Provide technical insight into designs and technical progress of the prime contractors and the lead system engineering contractor. A primary emphasis of the IDT is to provide early project system engineering support to enable the Constellation themes of commonality, reuse and interoperability of program elements, “System of systems”.
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Deputy Division Manager, Information Technologies and Software Systems Division
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
(Government Agency; 5001-10,000 employees; Defense & Space industry)
March 1999 — September 2004 (5 years 7 months)
Mar 1999 – Sep 2004
Deputy Division Manager, Information Technologies and Software Systems Division, Caltech/JPL. Co-founded Center for Space Mission Information Systems and Software. Led formulation of JPL High Productivity Computing Plan (supercomputing). Lead, Computing Area Initiatives, R&TD Program
Sep 2001 – April 2003
Division Manager (Acting), Information Technologies and Software Systems Division, Caltech/JPL. Responsible for personnel (500 engineers plus 250 affiliates), institutional/product leadership of the Division. Develop and administer the Division with funding base approximately $190M per year. Actively promote, support, develop new programs, products and services. Ensure the integrity, quality and value of work. and a professional working environment. Additional duties have included JPL Strategic Plan Working Group, JPL Deputy Director search committee, JPL Chief Technologist search committee. Completed 3 year appointment, JPL Science Advisory Board. -
Program Manager, Section Manager, Research Scientist
JPL
(Government Agency; 5001-10,000 employees; Defense & Space industry)
October 1984 — January 1995 (10 years 4 months)
Program Manager for Autonomy Technology Programs; Chief Technologist, Information Technologies and Software Systems Division; Technical Section Manager, Information Systems Technology Section (Supervised notable research and engineering achievements, from concept to new product development, delivery and operations, in areas of science data systems, mission operations control center automation, simulation systems using parallel and supercomputers, custom special purpose microprocessors, and robotics. ) Program advisor to NASA Headquarters; Conceived, proposed, and led research and development of the “Spacecraft Health Automated Reasoning Prototype” (SHARP) system, successfully used to monitor and diagnosis Telecommunications Link Status for Voyager II during the Neptune encounter, later applied to Magellan and Galileo spacecraft, Deep Space Network and licensed commercial applications (now known as SHINE)
David Atkinson’s Education
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Chalmers tekniska högskola
Doctor of Technology , Computer Systems Engineering , 1991 — 1992
The status of "Docent" in Sweden's university system was conferred on Dr. Atkinson
- Activities and Societies:
- Visiting Scientist, Lecturer. Concurrently, performed special studies for NASA HQ regarding capabilities of European industry laboratories engaged in R&D of artificial intelligence and autonomous systems.
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Yale University
Master of Philosophy , Computer Science , 1983 — 1984
All but dissertation. Thesis research in field of Artificial Intelligence
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Yale University
Master of Science , Computer Science , 1981 — 1983
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University of Michigan
Bachelor of Arts , Psychology , 1977 — 1980
Focus on cognitive science, logic, and computer science
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Pioneer High School
David Atkinson’s Contact Settings
Interested In:
- career opportunities
- consulting offers
- new ventures
- expertise requests
- business deals
- reference requests
- getting back in touch
