John E. Decker Email & Phone Number

Greenbelt, Maryland, United States

Serving as a part-time Mechanical Systems SME providing engineering support to the Hubble Space Telescope Operations Project at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center, particularly in support of HST mechanical system anomaly investigations and the ongoing performance assessment of the HST mechanical systems.

Retired NASA senior manager, serving as an emeritus advisor to the senior management team of the NASA Goddard Flight Projects Directorate.

Retired NASA senior manager, served as a part-time NASA consultant, supporting the senior management team of the Goddard Flight Projects Directorate in the development and deployment of management policies and providing policy interpretation and implementation guidance to program and project management personnel.

Serves as the focal point for interpreting and implementing program and project management policies and processes for the Directorate., for developing guidance for key reviews, and for coordinating top ten issue, weekly and monthly reporting of the projects to Center management.

Played a key leadership role in the Project’s progression through Phases A and B (formulation) and into Phase C (implementation). Fulfilled numerous programmatic responsibilities, such as the development and management of program plans, projects schedules and resource budgets, as well as the preparation and presentation of project status reports to Center and Headquarters management, such as weekly reports and monthly status reports. Coordinated major project reviews including the Delta Mission Definition Review, the Systems Requirements Review, the Technology Non-Advocate Review, the Mission Preliminary Design Review, the Non-Advocate review and the Confirmation Review. Served as primary liaison with the Standing Review Board. Key project accomplishments during this period included the awarding of all of the major contracts, the establishment of all of the international partnerships and contributions, the selection of all of the integration and test facilities, the maturation of all of the enabling technologies, and the initiation of the production of all of the long-lead flight hardware and software items for the project.

Code 443

Provided technical leadership for the design, analysis and development of Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) hardware, the development of ISIM program plans, schedules and resource estimates, and the production, procurement, assembly, integration, documentation and test of flight hardware and ground support equipment for the ISIM element efforts.

Code 542

Supervised the Mechanical Systems Analysis and Simulation Branch; performed administrative functions such as interfacing with customers, delegating and monitoring work, establishing priorities, allocating resources and providing status reports to management. Provided mechanical systems analysis and simulation support to GSFC projects by determining customer requirements, assigning responsible analysts, coordinating budgets and schedules, and monitoring technical needs and accomplishments. Maintained a vital mechanical systems analysis and simulation workforce. Assured the continued availability of up-to-date analysis and simulation facilities and tools, including computational hardware and software. Advocated the advancement of new analysis and simulation technologies.

Code 542

Served a detail assignment as the chairperson of the SEB for the phase 2 JWST observatory prime contract. Led the development and release of the JWST level 2 requirements document and the phase 2 contract statement of work. Prepared and released the request for proposals for the 2 contract, including the instructions to offerors, proposal evaluation criteria, work breakdown structure, deliverable items list, data requirements document and Government furnished equipment list. Performed associated management functions such as organizing, coordinating, training and leading the 9 SEB voting members and the 40 consultants. Coordinated the review and evaluation of the phase 2 contract proposals and documented the consensus findings of the SEB. Prepared and delivered the formal evaluation reports and briefings. Maintained the security and integrity of the proposal evaluation process.

Code 430

Served a detail assignment as the HST DPM/T. Fulfilled numerous programmatic responsibilities, such as the development and management of program plans, projects schedules and resource budgets, as well as the preparation and presentation of project status reports to Center and Headquarters management, such as weekly reports and monthly status reports. Served as the program’s management leader for the Servicing Mission 3B Payload Operations Working Group meetings at JSC. Served as the program’s senior management and technical representative on the System’s Management Board. Coordinated and chaired the Configuration Control Board and the Schedule Control Board. Served as primary liaison with the External Independent Readiness Review team.

Code 543

Provided engineering leadership to the HST Project. Major duties included: mechanical systems design, analysis and verification; operations support; anomaly investigations; development of solutions to complex technical problems, such as the mitigation of thermally-induced jitter and the characterization of the strength limitations of the solar array bistems. Provided leadership to and managed resources for a diverse, “core team” group of more than 20 engineers comprising the HST mechanical systems team. Chaired numerous design reviews and failure reviews. Provided written and oral reports to project management, external review panels, other NASA centers, and NASA Headquarters.

Gaithersburg, Md

Performed and supervised seismic and dynamic design and analysis of safety-related equipment and supporting structures for nuclear power plants using computer modeling techniques. Served as group leader of up to 12 engineers. Responsible for both dynamic analyses and the development and implementation of dynamic testing procedures and specifications. Prepared and presented detailed technical reports and presentations for Nuclear Regulatory Commission safety reviews.

Master Of Science

Bachelor Of Arts, Architecture And Fine Arts

Education record

Education record