Dr. Darrell Marchant, a member of the Scientific and Professional Cadre of Senior Executives, is the Technical Director for the Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Systems Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah. This ST position is responsible for the discovery of new sustainment and modernization technology solutions for ICBM weapon systems and advising the Director and Program Executive Officer for ICBMs about current development efforts, including the leveraging of emerging digital engineering technology. In addition, the Technical Director fosters science and technology relationships throughout the Air Force, Department of Defense, other federal agencies and international governments and organizations.
After completing a doctorate in Chemical Engineering at Michigan State University in Lansing, Dr. Marchant entered civil service in 2005 as a researcher and developed rocket propulsion technologies in several positions at the Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards AFB, California.
In 2021, Dr. Marchant became the Science and Technology Management Division Chief for the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Science, Technology and Engineering), the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia. Dr. Marchant led a Program Element Management team providing oversight, advocacy and guidance for a $4-billion portfolio focusing on Air Force science and technology.
Prior to the current position, Dr. Marchant served as the ICBM Stockpile Lead Project Officer for the Minuteman III Systems Directorate, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland AFB, New Mexico. As the LPO, Dr. Marchant worked with the Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration to provide oversight on all research, development, test and evaluation activities for ICBM warhead sustainment projects.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Science, Chemical Engineering, Drexel University, Pa.
2003 Doctor of Philosophy, Chemical Engineering, Michigan State University, Lansing
2009 Professional Military Education, Air War College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala., by correspondence
2018 Leadership for Democratic Society, Federal Executive Institute, Charlottesville, Va.
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. March 2005–March 2009, Materials Application Research Engineer, Propulsion Division, Air Force Research Laboratory, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif.
2. March 2009–July 2013, Liquid Rocket Engine Program Manager, Propulsion Division, AFRL, Edwards AFB, Calif.
3. July 2013–April 2016, Solid Rocket Motors Branch Chief, Propulsion Division, AFRL, Edwards AFB, Calif.
4. April 2016–October 2018, Deputy Division Chief, Propulsion Division, AFRL, Edwards AFB, Calif.
5. October 2018–March 2021, Program Element Monitor, Aerospace Systems Directorate, AFRL, the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
6. March 2021–July 2023, Science and Technology Management Division Chief, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary (Science, Technology and Engineering), the Pentagon, Arlington, Va.
7. July 2023–September 2024, Intercontinental Ballistic Missile Stockpile Warhead Lead Project Officer, Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center, Kirtland AFB, N.M.
8. September 2024–present, Senior Scientific and Technical Advisor for ICBM Systems Directorate, AFNWC, Hill AFB, Utah
(Current as of October 2024)