Kristen J. Baldwin, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology, and Engineering, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Ms. Baldwin provides guidance, advocacy, and policy for the Air Force's annual $3.1 billion science and technology program and $1.9 billion developmental prototyping and experimentation program, conducted at more than 60 research sites worldwide. She provides engineering and technical management direction on digital engineering, cyber resilient weapons, corrosion control, capability development planning, and the functional management of more than 22,000 military and civilian scientists and engineers. In addition, she is responsible for providing technical advice and counsel to the Air Force Acquisition Executive on a broad range of engineering and technical management areas. As part of this role, she oversees the Air Force’s international science and technology outreach via various bilateral and multilateral engagement fora including the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Science and Technology Organization.
Prior to her current position, Ms. Baldwin served as Deputy Director for Strategic Technology Protection and Exploitation, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, where she led Department of Defense efforts to maintain technology advantage by mitigating exploitation and vulnerabilities of critical missions, programs, technologies, and the industrial base. Ms. Baldwin also served as Principal Deputy, Systems Engineering, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, where she established DoD policy and practice for digital engineering, system security engineering, system of systems engineering, trusted microelectronics, anti-tamper, and software assurance.
EDUCATION
1990 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, Blacksburg Va.
1995 Master of Science, Systems Management, Florida Institute of Technology, Melbourne
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. 1991–1994, Engineer, Small Arms Ammunition, Picatinny Arsenal, N.J.
2. 1994–1996, Engineering Liaison to the U.S. Army Infantry Center, Fort Benning, Ga.
3. 1996--1998, Science and Technology Liaison to the US Army Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
4. 1998–2001, Lead, Tri-Service Software Assessment Initiative, Office of the Director, Systems Engineering, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense Acquisition Technology and Logistics, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
5. 2001–2004, Deputy Director, Software Intensive Systems, Office of the Director, Defense Research and Engineering, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
6. 2004–2007, Systems Engineer, Systems and Software Engineering Directorate, Office of the Deputy Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition and Technology, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
7. 2007–2010, Director, SES, Software Engineering and System Assurance, Systems Engineering Directorate, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
8. 2010–2018, Principal Deputy, SES, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, Systems Engineering, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
9. 2018–2020, Deputy Director, SES, Strategic Technology Protection and Exploitation, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
10. May 2020–present, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology, and Engineering, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisitions, Technology, and Logistics, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
AWARDS AND HONORS
1998 Distinguished Service Commendation, Department of the Army
2006 Certificate of Meritorious Achievement, Office of the Department of Defense Chief Information Officer
2006 Defense Certificate of Recognition for Acquisition Innovation, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
2007 Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award
2009 Office of the Secretary of Defense Exceptional Civilian Service Award with oak leaf cluster
2011 International Technology Cooperation Program (TTCP) Achievement Award
2014 Award for Excellence, Office of the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics
2014 Presidential Meritorious Rank Award
2015 The Technical Cooperation Program (TTCP) Achievement Award
2017 Lt Gen Thomas R. Ferguson, Jr. Systems Engineering Excellence Award, National Defense Industrial Association
2017 Secretary of Defense Meritorious Civilian Service Award
2021 Systems Engineering Influencer Award, International Council on Systems Engineering
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS
Systems, Planning, Research, Development and Engineering, Level III
(Current as of February 2024)