Ryan Downing Email & Phone Number

El Segundo, California, United States

Develops requirements, evaluates system capability, and implements solutions for challenging problems across a diverse set of complex, space-based systems. Provides systems engineering support, technical and programmatic leadership for the development, integration, test, and sustainment of capabilities for the US Space Force. Builds subject matter expert teams to establish courses of action to inform program management decisions. Day-to-day responsibilities include execution of key systems engineering functions like system-level architecting in accordance with DoDAF principles, risk assessment and mitigation, requirements development and decomposition, concept of operations/use-case refinement, and product roadmap development. Manages a broad requirement set across complementary yet distinct functional areas.

El Segundo, California

Performed systems engineering and program management functions to the Space and Missile Systems Center Chief Partnership Office (CPO) in pursuit of collaborative concepts among the US Space Force, allied governments, commercial industry, and academia to achieve synergistic outcomes. Led the Europe Enterprise of CPO. Responsible for cross-program technical study to enable European participation across space mission areas including position, navigation, and timing; environmental monitoring; intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; and SATCOM. Has an exceptional depth of experience in military and commercial satellite communications systems and service provisioning. Day-to-day responsibilities include execution of key systems engineering functions like system-level architecting, risk assessment and mitigation, concept of operations development, and cost scoping of new collaborative concepts within the framework of Space Force policy and export control laws. Worked on the development and execution of agreements involving sophisticated military assets like Wideband Global SATCOM and Advanced EHF. Was a key leader on a proposal team for a four-nation consortium agreement to provide national SATCOM capability to NATO. This effort included communications requirement analysis and development in conjunction with NATO as well as extensive proposal development with the provider nations. This acquisition was for a 15-year service provision across EHF, SHF, and UHF communications systems and is valued at nearly $2B. Also played a lead role in the U.S. integration of NATO forces into the survivable nuclear command and control architecture. Twice recognized as an outstanding performer in the directorate in this capacity.

Los Angeles, Ca

Performed system engineering and technical program management of the Advanced EHF and Enhanced Polar System defense satellite communications systems. Regular job duties include developing integration strategies for the subsystems and components, discovering and characterizing risks to system cost, schedule, and technical performance, producing system views and architecture diagrams, developing enterprise-level schedules to manage progress, and requirement verification/validation activities. The AEHF and EPS systems provide secure, anti-jam communications to the President and coalition forces via satellites, ground stations, terminals, and terrestrial networks. Received formal, written recognition from the Division Chief for outstanding work in this position for the verification and validation of the system’s test bed for use in anomaly resolution testing.Provided system engineering support to the international interoperability, development, and deployment of the Advanced EHF system to international partner users. Responsibilities included negotiations and technical exchanges with participating partner countries, redaction of technical documents, data, and software products to comply with international security requirements (ITAR) and technology transfer guidelines, technical review of test documentation, and management of program risks to the system’s international/coalition capabilities.

Managed a portfolio of system transition milestones including the satellite ground command and control system transition from Milstar to Advanced Extremely High Frequency mission control systems. Directed the interaction of contractor and government organizations to ensure successful system transitions. Negotiated and drafted the agreement between the MILSATCOM Systems Wing and 50th Space Wing to manage engineering and facilities support between the wings. The AEHF development contract has an estimated value over $9.9 billion.

Developed laser ranging and optical communications experiments designed to evolve optical communications tracking and detection technology for the suitability of Mars and deep space applications. Designed custom solution for mitigating an overheating limitation on an optical telescope as well as a gimbaled platform used to support airborne laser tests.

Led government Intersegment System Test team of engineers for the acquisition of the Advanced Extremely High Frequency protected satellite communications system. Managed contractor execution of requirement verification, risk-reduction, and confidence testing of the new system. Developed and implemented a personnel shortage mitigation plan that saved over $5 million and critical days prior to launch. Awarded the Mid-Level Manager of the 2nd Quarter of 2008 for such performance.

Studied several facets of aviation including piloting, navigation, land and water survival, meteorology, and aerodynamic flight principles. Successfully completed all training events prior to medical reassignment.

Spearheaded recruitment and Air Force Academy minority student admissions efforts for ten metropolitan areas across the Midwest. Coordinated, budgeted, and managed site visits to over 70 schools across the country, many in high-crime, poverty-ridden neighborhoods, to inspire talented youth to consider careers as an Air Force officer. Briefed audiences as large as 500 and was awarded the Air Force Achievement Medal for outstanding service in this position.

Jd, Intellectual Property Law

Bachelor Of Science - Bs, Mechanical Engineering

GPA 3.30. Earned Dean’s List honors during 7 of 8 semesters. Notable coursework included Thermodynamics, System Design, Fluid Mechanics.