Charles van Winkle

About Charles van Winkle

I am a Systems Engineering Advocate, IT Transformation Leader, and seasoned Chief Engineer/Architect with over 25 years supporting complex DoD programs across STRATCOM, MDA, Integrated Air & Missile Defense, Air Force Weather, and international C2/IT modernization efforts. My career has centered on driving digital transformation at scale—integrating modern IT architectures, establishing engineering governance, and leading multidisciplinary teams through mission-critical modernization.I specialize in turning around complex programs, stabilizing execution, and architecting sustainable transformation using systems engineering discipline, Agile/DevSecOps, and modern IT practices. Whether building a Systems Engineering Organization from the ground up, maturing baselines and workflows, or aligning enterprise architecture to mission outcomes, I thrive in environments where clarity, structure, and decisive technical leadership are needed.As a Chief Engineer and Chief Architect, I have led large-scale engineering and IT organizations—overseeing enterprise architectures, digital engineering transformations, site deployments, cyber modernization, COTS/GOTS integration, and resilient multi-domain IT infrastructure across thousands of systems and multiple security enclaves. My work spans architecture, requirements, build/integration, sustainment, and strategic technical direction for high-visibility defense programs.I am also heavily engaged as key personnel across major captures, shaping strategy, technical baselines, discriminators, and proposal content for numerous efforts over the past 20 years, my contributions consistently center on-Establishing or maturing engineering organizations and governance-Aligning Architecture / Requirements / As-Built baselines-Driving Agile execution, delivery excellence, and program rescue-Innovating with modern IT, DevSecOps, digital engineering, and automation-Leading program readiness, technical proposals, and capture strategy-Bringing clarity, structure, and confidence to complex mission challenges-BOE, Teaming, Capabilities assessments, Price, and customer relationships.I bring a “jump in and fix it” approach—combining technical depth, leadership, program management, and hands-on execution to deliver results without disruption to ongoing operations. My passion is modernizing how the DoD engineers deliver and operate complex systems; helping organizations shift toward sustainable, digital-first technical cultures.

Experience

1. Director of Information Technology

   Peraton

   Sep 2024 — Present · Omaha, NE, US

   Chief Engineer and DPM for Peraton’s $900M ITCC II program, leading enterprise digital transformation and engineering modernization for USSTRATCOM. Built the Systems Engineering Organization, shifting 20+ ITIL service lines into Agile Work Streams and SEMP-based governance—improving velocity, performance metrics, cyber posture, and delivery across 270+ engineers.Also lead Peraton-wide engineering integration and technical strategy for major captures, advancing digital engineering, MBSE, and Agile practices to strengthen technical baselines, competitive solutions, and enterprise alignment—laying the foundation for a company-wide Engineering Organization.

Education

• University of Nebraska at Omaha

  Master of Science - MS, Management Information Systems, General

• University of Nebraska at Omaha

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Management Information Systems, General