William Downs Email & Phone Number

Sunnyvale, Ca

Led the Hardware Engineering Group for a major aerospace program. Improved subcontractor schedules to meet major program timelines after previous leadership had permitted significant slips. Reduced program costs on subcontracts valued in excess of $140M. Managed a staff of over forty personnel including contract teams, mechanical, controls, systems and specialty engineers. Procured over 60 major pieces of varied subcontracted precision hardware. Integrated, tested and delivered the first major program payload assembly in over six years.

Sunnyvale, Ca

Managed the Program Avionics Directorate contracts for a major defense program. Brought in to contain program costs and provide technical leadership to subcontractors. Introduced task-based cost controls that reduced cost and improved schedule. Managed directorate budgets and wrote numerous successful multiple-year proposals. Championed multiple Kaizen. Managed development program subcontracts for electronic parts requalification and redesign. Managed technical root-cause analysis. Turned around critical suppliers.

Sunnyvale, Ca

Managed the procurement of program optics and led the optical mirror multi-contractor trade study resulting in a major process change. Solved technical issues that had threatened the program. Managed and negotiated contracts, down-selected suppliers, and managed subcontract teams. Led the proposal for the $2.9B follow-on contract. Developed technical volumes, BOE, and a compliant schedule. Identified subcontractors, secured ROM, conducted technical evaluations and TKO.

Sunnyvale, Ca

Project manager and visionary for a major IMINT MASINT / AGI software development project that was integrated into the national tasking system, Developed an automated coupled collection satellite tasking, collection, production and distribution (TCPD) capability that increased product volume by over 1000% and reduced planning and delivery timelines from days to minutes. Significantly reduced program costs. Led the multi-contractor, payload-control software design and development team. Tasking system software architect. Authored and implemented the concept of operations (CONOPS), system design requirements, BOE, technical volumes, integration, testing, and training plans. Led the worldwide user training effort. Delivered under cost and schedule.Recognized by the Director of Central Intelligence.Systems engineering and integration senior lead. National satellite system payload SME. Provided close customer support to multiple agencies, often representing the customer at major forums. Resolved complex program issues, improved system efficiencies, and evaluated performance. Developed and integrated system capabilities. Primary program speaker at national and international forums.

Ma, International Relations

Activities and Societies: National Honor Society

Program Management

Bs, Engineering