Ryan Buckley
N Chelmsford
Summary
Senior product and engineering leader with 17 years in DoD aerospace and autonomous systems, including 15 years as Lead Engineer and product lead for two Army Programs of Record: Low Cost Aerial Delivery Systems (LCADS) and Joint Precision Airdrop System (JPADS). Proven ability to define vision, build roadmaps, and deliver mission-critical platforms across the full lifecycle. Skilled at aligning strategy with customer needs, securing funding, and leading cross-functional teams through high-stakes execution. Recognized expert in autonomy, assured PNT, GPS-denied navigation, and long-range aerial delivery with a track record of building coalitions across services, vendors, and international partners.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Product Lead / Lead Systems Engineer, JPADS
United States Army, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems
02.2015 - Current
- Led the transformation of JPADS from fragmented, underfunded configurations into a fully POM-funded, streamlined product line with elevated visibility across the DoD sustainment portfolio.
- Defined multi-year modernization roadmaps integrating autonomy, GPS-denied navigation, propulsion, and long-range mission planning.
- Directed the end-to-end lifecycle of JPADS variants, from requirements definition through testing, production, and sustainment.
- Decision authority for an annual portfolio with roughly $10M in RDT&E, $30M in Procurement, and $5M in O&M dollars
- Secured and executed an additional $25M in external funding from OSD, SOCOM, USMC, USAF, and PM PNT, sustaining development despite lack of base program dollars in certain years
- Chaired the Aerial Delivery APNT Working Group, building collaboration across four services and national labs to accelerate GPS-denied solutions.
- Represented JPADS in high-visibility forums (Project Convergence, PNTAX, Joint Navigation Conference, Pentagon briefings), influencing Army and OSD investment priorities.
- Achieved multiple cybersecurity Authority to Operate (ATO) approvals under accelerated timelines, making JPADS the recognized exemplar cyber program within the PEO.
- Mentored and coordinated multi-disciplinary teams of engineers, logisticians, and contractors, instilling a culture of ownership, agility, and mission focus.
- Designed creative no-cost sustainment strategies (e.g., barter agreements exchanging software licenses for repair services), saving hundreds of thousands annually.
Product Lead / Lead Systems Engineer, LCADS
United States Army, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems
02.2010 - 01.2015
- Directed product development, production, and rapid fielding of LCADS during peak wartime demand in Afghanistan.
- Conducted short-term CENTCOM deployments (Qatar, Kuwait, other locations) to train units, observe combat operations, and gather soldier feedback to shape product enhancements.
- Served on the source selection panel for a $500M DLA contract for parachutes, influencing outcomes for the Army’s global supply chain.
- Managed sustainment and modernization of a globally fielded product family under high operational tempo, balancing cost efficiency with readiness.
Program Engineer
United States Army, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems
05.2009 - 01.2010
- Supported engineering, testing, and acquisition of ballistic parachute systems during rapid expansion of combat operations.
- Assisted in transition to full-rate production and global deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Education
Master of Science - Systems Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA05-2016
Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA05-2009
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Worcester, MA05-2008
Skills
- Product Strategy / Roadmapping
- Lifecycle & Portfolio Management
- Defense Autonomy and Mission Planning
- Assured PNT
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Cybersecurity
- Customer Engagement
- DoD Acquisition
Certification
Architecture and Systems Engineering Certificate: Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 2018
Timeline
Product Lead / Lead Systems Engineer, JPADS
United States Army, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems
02.2015 - Current
Product Lead / Lead Systems Engineer, LCADS
United States Army, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems
02.2010 - 01.2015
Program Engineer
United States Army, Product Manager Force Sustainment Systems
05.2009 - 01.2010
Master of Science - Systems Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Master of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace Engineering
Worcester Polytechnic Institute
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