Mr. Joshua F. Mark is the Air Force Civilian Senior Executive, Senior Leader and Technical Advisor for Propulsion at the Engineering and Technical Management Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. He serves as the recognized Air Force technical authority for propulsion and provides oversight, advice, and guidance to weapon system programs, Air Force and government officials. He also leads authoritative scientific reviews and evaluations for Air Force and joint service projects to develop, promote, and apply advanced materials, life prediction and systems integrity design methods to propulsion systems.
Mr. Mark is also a lieutenant colonel in the U.S. Air Force Reserves where he serves as the Military Deputy to the Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary for Science, Technology and Engineering in Washington, D.C. He is directly responsible for a 12-member team of Reservists augmenting the directorate to accelerate the Department of the Air Force’s technological advantage, develop the S&E workforce and partner with international fora including the NATO Science and Technology Organization. He advises and supports the preparation of policy, guidance, and advocacy for the Air Force’s annual $3.9 billon science, technology, and prototyping portfolio to meet the Air Force Chief of Staff’s priorities and warfighter capability requirements.
Mr. Mark earned his commission in 2004 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps at Detachment 643, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio. He has an extensive career having served five years on active-duty and now serves in both Reserve and civilian capacities. He has served in a plethora of technical leadership positions across science and technology, acquisition, intelligence, and air staff with a breadth of experience from development planning to sustainment on various systems to include air vehicles, propulsion and space. Prior to his current position, Mr. Mark was the Director of Engineering, Propulsion Directorate, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio.
Additionally, he is completing his Doctor of Philosophy in Systems Engineering through the U.S. Air Force’s premiere STEM+M program at Colorado State University.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Cedarville University, Ohio
2004 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2011 Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Wright State University, Dayton, Ohio
2012 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2017 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2019 Air War College, Maxwell AFB, Ala., by correspondence
2020 Systems Engineering Graduate Certificate, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Pattersion AFB, Ohio
ASSIGNMENTS
1. June 2004–May 2006, Mechanical Systems Engineer, C-17 System Program Office, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2. May 2006–January 2009, Structural Test Engineer, Turbine Engine Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. January 2009–April 2009, F135 Lead Turbine Engineer, F-35 JSF Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. April 2009–May 2011, Structural Test Engineer, Turbine Engine Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. May 2011–June 2014, Space Technologies Interface Lead, Technology Strategy Branch, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
6. June 2014–September 2017, IMA to the Flight Chief, Integrated Aircraft Modeling and Analysis Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
7. September 2017–March 2024, Deputy Division Chief, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
8. March 2024–present, Military Deputy to Associate Deputy Assistant Secretary (Science, Technology and Engineering), Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. May 2009–April 2012, F135 Lead Turbine Engineer, F-35 JSF Program Office, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2. May 2012–April 2013, F135 Lead Structures/Life Management, F-35 JSF Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. May 2013–September 2014, F135 Systems Engineer, F-35 JSF Program Office, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. October 2014–June 2015, Lead Engineer, Adaptive Engine Transition Program, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
5. July 2015–February 2018, XA100 Lead Engineer, Propulsion Acquisition Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
6. March 2018–September 2022, Chief Engineer, Propulsion Acquisition Division, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
7. October 2022–July 2024, Director of Engineering, Propulsion Directorate, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
8. July 2024–present, Technical Advisor, Propulsion, Engineering and Technical Management/Services Directorate, Wright Patterson AFB, Ohio
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Achievement Medal, 2008
Air and Space Commendation Medal, 2009
Air and Space Civilian Achievement Medal, 2010
Air and Space Commendation Medal, 2011
Air and Space Meritorious Service Medal, 2014
Air and Space Meritorious Service Medal, 2017
Joint Service Achievement Medal, 2021
Chief Engineer of the Year, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, 2021
(Current as of August 2024)