Brett Palmer

About Brett Palmer

My unique ability to scale organizations from prototype concepts to full-scale production, while driving digital transformation, sets me apart in the defense and aerospace industries.My mission is advancing national security through strategic space systems leadership and organizational transformation. As a Senior Director, Program Leader, Digital Transformation Expert, and Strategic Planning Executive in the defense and aerospace space, I have matured the space systems capabilities and digital engineering processes for defense contractors, aerospace corporations, and other global organizations across diverse mission requirements. I blend strategic planning, space systems engineering, and defense technology innovation to position companies as industry-leading space systems providers and protect against emerging threats across the enterprise landscape. & Secured $5.6B+ in competitive contract awards, including $5.0B MDA System Integration contract and $300M SDA Tranche 2 program through innovative proposal strategies and technical leadership. Transformed underperforming programs from significant losses to effective cost management, executing 80% of supply chain and engineering through CDR under budget without utilizing Management Reserve. Scaled small IRAD prototype team into mature 300+ person engineering organization with $120M annual revenue through strategic product team structure design and targeted leadership placement. Pioneered divisionwide digital transformation across $6.56B contract execution, implementing Agile SAFe™ frameworks with automated testing capabilities and transparent customer visibility. Strategic Planning & Execution • Space Systems Leadership • Digital Transformation • Portfolio ManagementDevSecOps Integration • Cross-Functional Team Leadership • Competitive Strategy Development • Financial Performance Management I am always happy to discuss strategic opportunities and share insights on space systems innovation. Feel free to reach out!

Experience

1. Senior Director Infrared Payloads -- Space Systems Division

   Leidos

   Jun 2024 — Present · Huntsville, AL, US

   I led executive-level P&L responsibility for Space Defense Agency Tracking Layer Tranche programs spanning proposal development through post-launch operations, directing $300M program portfolio generating $120M annual revenue with 300+ cross-functional team members across engineering design, manufacturing, and production operations.• Secured $300M SDA Tranche 2 contract award by developing comprehensive proposal strategy integrating past performance analysis, modern cost methodologies, and manufacturing optimization across competitive landscape.• Transformed underperforming programs from significant losses to effective cost management by implementing tailored Earned Value Management with Scaled Agile integration across engineering, production, and global supply chain operations.• Led transformational growth from small IRAD team to mature 300+ person engineering organization through strategic product team structure design and targeted leadership placement across 12 product teams.• Executed 80% of supply chain and engineering through CDR under budget without utilizing Management Reserve, achieving positive ROI and customer satisfaction recognition.This role strengthened my expertise in large-scale portfolio management and organizational transformation, positioning me to drive strategic growth and operational excellence at the SVP level in defense and aerospace environments.

Education

• United States Air Force Academy

  Bachelor of Science - 1997, Mechanical Engineering

  1993 — 1997

• Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management

  Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) - 2025, Strategic Leadership and Business Management

• University of Colorado Colorado Springs

  Master of Science - 2001, Mechanical Engineering

  1999 — 2001