Mr. Joseph A. Baker, a member of the Senior Executive Service, is the Director of Engineering and Technical Management and Chief Engineer, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He provides comprehensive engineering leadership for maintaining technical superiority and integrity of all Air Force weapon systems. He leads the command’s digital transformation to rapidly research, develop, test, field and effectively sustain disruptive technologies. He leads over 14,000 personnel in the engineering organization and is responsible for talent acquisition, development and management of over 80% of the Air Force’s engineering and technical workforce.
Mr. Baker began his federal career in 1996 as an aerospace engineer in the Aeronautical Systems Center’s Engineering Directorate (Air Force Life Cycle Management Center today). He has held multiple management and technical positions within the Air Force Research Laboratories, Air Force Materiel Command and various acquisition program offices. Prior to this position, Mr. Baker was the Director of Engineering, F-35 Joint Program Office, Arlington, Virginia.
EDUCATION
1995 Bachelor of Science, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
1998 Master of Science, Aeronautics and Astronautics, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
2000 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2009 Air War College, Air University, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
ASSIGNMENTS
1. April 1996–April 1999, Palace Acquire Intern, Aeronautical Systems Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2. April 1999–December 2006, Aerospace Engineer, C-17 System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. January 2007–March 2007, Systems Engineer, Global Hawk System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. March 2007–January 2009, Plans and Programs Engineer, Directorate of Engineering, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. January 2009–June 2012, Chief, Electronic and Optical Materials Branch, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. June 2012–August 2014, Deputy Capability Lead for Agile Combat Support, Materials and Manufacturing Directorate, Air Force Research Laboratory, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
7. August 2014–September 2017, Lead Development Engineer, KC-46 System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
8. September 2017–August 2019, Chief Engineer, KC-46 System Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
9. August 2019–August 2020, Director of Engineering, Tanker Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
10. August 2020–October 2021, Director of Engineering, Mobility and Training Aircraft Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
11. October 2021–May 2023, Deputy Technical Airworthiness Authority, Engineering and Technical Management Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
12. May 2023–June 2025, Director of Engineering, F-35 Joint Program Office, Arlington, Va.
13. June 2025–present, Director of Engineering and Technical Management, and Chief Engineer, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
2021 Meritorious Civilian Service Award
2020 Meritorious Civilian Service Award
2011 Air and Space Civilian Achievement Award
2008 Air and Space Civilian Achievement Award
2007 Exemplary Civilian Service Award
2006 Aeronautical System Center Junior Civilian Engineer of the Year
(Current as of July 2025)