Christopher R. Burrell Email & Phone Number

Scottsdale, Az, Us

As Vice President of Federal Operations, I oversee Axon’s federal division, leading strategic and operational initiatives to support the continued expansion of a rapidly growing business. I manage critical functions, including sales operations, fulfillment, and process improvement, to drive efficiency and ensure compliance with federal standards. My role focuses on fostering cross-functional collaboration, implementing scalable solutions, and delivering impactful results that align with organizational objectives and meet the needs of federal clients.

Scottsdale, Az, Us

As Director of Operations, I played a key role in scaling Axon’s federal business, ensuring the operational infrastructure could support significant growth in both size and complexity. I developed frameworks to streamline workflows, enhance cross-team collaboration, and improve program delivery timelines. My efforts were instrumental in transforming a burgeoning division into a robust operation capable of delivering large-scale solutions to a growing portfolio of federal clients.

Scottsdale, Az, Us

In this role, I laid the foundation for Axon’s federal sector operations, establishing program management practices that enabled the division to scale rapidly. I led the delivery of high-profile federal programs, ensuring compliance with stringent requirements and aligning cross-functional teams to execute against aggressive timelines. My focus on building scalable processes and fostering operational excellence supported the division’s evolution from a startup environment to a leading provider of technology solutions for federal clients.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

As Senior Program Manager, I was a key member of the EXB leadership team, driving strategic initiatives across the Aerospace, Avionics, and Defense sectors. I managed programs through their entire lifecycle, from identifying opportunities and developing proposals to execution and delivery. My responsibilities included serving as the primary customer interface, coordinating cross-functional teams, and ensuring alignment with program objectives. I also led efforts in risk mitigation, reporting program status to leadership, and identifying opportunities for growth and process improvement. By implementing scalable workflows and fostering collaboration, I contributed to the successful delivery of high-impact programs while supporting the company's business development goals.

Minneapolis, Minnesota, Us

In this role, I served as the technical program lead for the Satellite Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Control team under NASA’s Satellite Communications Network Services (SCNS) contract. My focus was on integrating cutting-edge solutions to meet mission-critical requirements while ensuring compliance with rigorous aerospace and federal standards. I collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop and execute system designs, resolve technical challenges, and maintain program momentum. This role required a strong emphasis on systems engineering, customer engagement, and innovative problem-solving to deliver high-value results for federal programs.

Mesa, Az, Us

Responsible for development of strategic roadmap for engine development and twin engine aircraft platform as well as execution of advanced technology program's and support of commercial aircraft deliveries. Responsible for complete execution from concept through certification of the Single engine instrument upgrade program within 16 months and the 3 year MD969 modernization program. The Single engine instruments program provides a customized EICAS for use in the full range of MDHI’s single-engine helicopters. The system is designed with a modular architecture to maximize flexibility and increase functionality, the system will deliver advanced features such as: Enhanced exceedance monitoring, digitized and prioritized CAS messaging and Software certification to DO-178B DAL A. My activities include: Vendor/Supplier selection and engagement, contract development and negotiations, systems requirement development, schedule and budget generation and reporting, and management/oversight of stage gate reviews (SRR, PDR, CDR, TRR including on aircraft integration activities) with vendor and the FAA through TSO certification with vendor and finally FAA Type Certification on aircraft. The MD969 modernization program is a complete redesign of the twin aircraft consisting of 6 major projects including: upgrades to the NOTAR system, addition of Solid State Power Distribution, Cabin visibility upgrades, new Automatic flight control system, enhanced engine power and the integration of new glass cockpit. Duties include: managing Vendor/Supplier RFI/RFP process, SOW development , supporting contract development and negotiations, managing systems requirement development, schedule and budget development and reporting, and management of stage gate review with 14 vendors and the FAA through TSO certification (including DO-178B, DO-160, DO-254 requirements) and coordination of cross functional team of 30+ people to support FAA TC certification on the airframe.

Gilbert, Az, Us

Primary duties are to serve as a member of the corporate leadership team to develop quarterly goals, metrics and strategies that support execution of the long range plan. Then to organize and lead Research & Development Engineering’s implementation through collaboration with research scientists and engineers to develop safe, efficient, and high quality mechanical designs, control systems, hardware and processes related to algae growth systems encompassing harvesting, dewatering, extraction, filtration, and system upgrades. With a specific focus on the development of low cost, high quality algae technology platforms. This includes developing; schedules, monitoring and communicating plans, cost and resource estimates and risk mitigation plans. Leading the group to deliver safe and high quality experimental designs, fabrications, and shakedown of new installations, which includes collaborative preliminary experiments with statistical experimental designs, progress updates and providing status and issues to stakeholders. Working from concept to lab-scale to demonstration-scale reactors commensurate with the R&D stage gate process to assist with technology transfer to operations.

Fairfax, Va, Us

Primary technical interface for the customer and director for GD development team of seventeen cross-disciplinary engineers accountable for generating hardware requirements, hardware selection process/checkpoints and approval of designs that effectively support customer deliverables for NASA’s Satellite Network Ground Sustainment Segment (SGSS). Provide tactical and strategic planning for cross-functional teams while developing and implementing feasible budgets and schedules to ensure cost-effective and on-time project delivery from preliminary design phases through integration, test and deployment. Foster relationships through consistent interaction with key customers, government oversight personnel, senior program leadership, subcontractors and system engineering functional/technical leads; through monthly presentation of project budget, schedule and technical milestones. Resource manager responsible to acquire, train, manage, develop, and mentor mechanical and physical design engineering teams consisting of both junior and senior engineers. Create and manage $8M budget for physical design team and oversight and selection approval for over $50M of deployable program equipment.

Fairfax, Va, Us

Key technical leader for a thirteen member physical design team, overseeing day-to-day tasking and providing technical oversight associated with; developing criteria to evaluate and qualify components and technologies for inclusion in datacenter infrastructure development for SGSS program. Scheduled and successfully managed full scope of cost accounts that effectively supported customer deliverables for program systems and physical design from inception through critical design phased of the project. Oversaw requirement decomposition, system interface, safety, mechanical engineering analysis, and CAD support. Additionally, responsible for resource loading and management of team member career development and performance.

Reston, Virginia, Us

Directed thirty-three member systems engineering teams, culminating in the successful launch of the U.S. Department of Defense’s multi-billion dollar global satellite project- Mobile User Objective System (MUOS). Successfully managed customer deliverables for safety requirements, system interface, project change requests, mechanical engineering and CAD support. Integrated design teams for security, fault, timing and frequency management systems. Administered $60M project budget, resource management, and program scheduling.

Fairfax, Va, Us

Spearheaded MUOS design initiatives to create Modified off the Shelf (MOTS) hardware and integrate COTs hardware to meet system requirements. Directed mechanical design teams in developing detailed design documentation for manufacturing the integrated system design in support of DFM, Human factors, safety and quality initiatives. Effectively resolved design challenges by providing defect resolution for rack-based thermal analysis, distribution of power, and component/hardware layout assessments

Fairfax, Va, Us

Coordinated design and environmental test teams in establishing test plan protocols and developing design documentation for Secure Enroute Communications Package – Improved (SECOMP-I) program. Performed system troubleshooting, analyzed and documented findings, and interpreted results to provide program improvement objectives. Effectively drove continuous project improvements while serving as MFG interface including introduction of an innovative independent ground power transit case and cable assembly as system peripherals

Fairfax, Va, Us

Coordinated development, documentation, implementation and manufacturing build processes for satellite payloads on low volume high reliability space communications program. Managed manufacturing process and defect disposition. Exceeded project goals and cost projections throughout every phase of the build cycle. Implemented continuous program improvement/ six sigma initiatives that facilitated the flow of project critical hardware. Tackled and effectively solved technical issues, concentrating on program quality and build schedule objectives.

Albuquerque, Nm, Us

Successfully developed hardware testing procedures that facilitated validation and installation of IOtech data acquisition system for the Stockpile Stewardship Program (SSP). Established certification and maintenance schedules in line with lab objectives. Conducted research and determined feasibility of SolidWorks 3D mechanical CAD design software as a potential modeling device for pressure vessel design in neutron environments

Raritan, Nj, Us

Developed and implemented new process specifications for the production of the Indigo® Optima Laser System. Installed production equipment and ensured accurate and timely completion of process validations. Conducted various engineering studies that defined failure modes and established protocols that maximized production line efficiency and generated substantial yield improvements. Developed job specific instrumentation critical to the daily production line operation.

Detroit, Michigan, Us

Assisted with design completion and produced assembly package for hydraulic frame lifter. Proposed and designed ventilation project geared to aerate industrial chassis washer through production plant roof. Developed scope-of-work plan and effectively created bid package. Ensured demolition and installation drawings were successfully completed.

Mba, Organizational Leadership

Bs/Ms, Mechanical Engineering