DOD Announces Leadership Shakeup in Research and Engineering Office

The Department of Defense has announced a shakeup in its research and engineering senior leadership team. 

Three directors in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering will be re-designated as deputy chief technology officers.

The move is aimed at helping the military transition its laboratory technology into operational capabilities, the DOD said Tuesday.

Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Heidi Shyu, a speaker at a past Potomac Officers Club event and a two-time Wash100 winner, said that the changes will improve collaboration inside and outside the DOD.

The research and engineering chief for research and technology will be re-designated as the deputy CTO for science and technology. According to the DOD, the role will focus on foundational research and development areas, in addition to overseeing federally funded research and development centers and university-affiliated research centers.

The research and engineering chief for modernization will become the deputy CTO for critical technologies, a role focused on strategic technology areas.

Lastly, the director of defense research and engineering for advanced capabilities will serve as the deputy CTO for mission capabilities. DCTO(MC) will work closely with the armed services, the Joint Staff and the combatant commands, the DOD said. The office’s focus areas will include mission engineering, joint operations, prototyping, experimentation and rapid transition.

The shakeup comes as Shyu’s office implements a workforce-focused approach to maintaining the U.S. military’s technological advantage. 

In January, Shyu told the press that she had established a policy to leverage the “incredible amount of technology innovation across this nation.”