Dr. Bruce Chesley is the senior director of Strategy for Space and Missile Systems, a division of Defense, Space & Security. Appointed to this position in July 2017, Chesley leads a team charged with analyzing the marketplace, establishing a growth strategy and helping shape the future direction of the Space and Missile Systems division, which includes the International Space Station; government and commercial satellite systems; a range of missile defense and strategic deterrence systems including Ground-based Midcourse Defense, Missile Defense National Team, and the Minuteman Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) System; and a variety of weapons programs for U.S. and allied military customers.
Prior to his current position, Chesley led the Boeing Global Broadband System program within Network & Space Systems (N&SS), with responsibility for the design, development, deployment and operation of a satellite-based system to provide very high data-rate connectivity to support a wide range of Internet and communications services for residential, commercial, institutional, governmental and other professional users worldwide.
Chesley served in several leadership roles in business development for N&SS starting in December 2013. As the leader of Global Sales & Marketing, he was responsible for customer engagement, new business, advocacy and marketing efforts, research and development investments, mergers and acquisitions, business unit strategy and leadership development. As Chief Architect, he was also responsible for technology investment and product development for the current and future needs of the business for space exploration, cybersecurity, missile defense and satellite systems for military and commercial applications.
Chesley previously served as the director of Advanced Space & Intelligence Systems (S&IS), part of the Phantom Works business unit. He led a Phantom Works team that developed next-generation satellites and advanced mission capabilities for the S&IS business. His research and development programs focused on designing, building, testing and operating new technologies and prototypes for small satellites and special missions.
Chesley joined Boeing in 2000 after serving in the U.S. Air Force. His Air Force assignments included positions at Air Force Space Command, the National Reconnaissance Office and the Department of Astronautics at the U.S. Air Force Academy.
He earned a doctorate in aerospace engineering at the University of Colorado, Boulder. He holds a Master of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Texas at Austin and a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame.
An author of more than 20 technical articles and book chapters on space systems engineering and satellite design, Chesley is a senior member of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and a member of the American Astronautical Society.