Dr. Steven H. Walker
Deputy Director
Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency

Dr. Steven H. Walker is a member of the Senior Executive Service and currently serves as the deputy director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. Immediately prior to this, he held the position of director of the Tactical Technology Office (TTO) at DARPA.

Prior to his August 2012 return to DARPA, Dr. Walker served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Science, Technology and Engineering, Office of the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Washington, D.C. He was responsible for preparing policy, guidance, and advocacy for the Air Force's annual $2 billion science and technology program, providing functional management for more than 14,000 military and civilian scientists and engineers. He provided annual testimony to Congress, technical advice and counsel to the Air Force Acquisition Executive, and made Air Force science and technology recommendations to the Office of the Secretary of Defense.

Dr. Walker has more than 25 years of experience in civil service. He began his engineering career in the Air Force Research Laboratory's Air Vehicles Directorate in Dayton, Ohio, providing expertise in airplane exhaust system fluidics and aero-acoustic modeling and simulation research. Subsequent assignments include Program Manager of the Unsteady Aerodynamics and Hypersonics Research Program at the AFRL's Air Force Office of Scientific Research in Arlington, Va., and special assistant to the Director, Defense Research and Engineering at the Pentagon. Dr. Walker previously served in DARPA as a TTO program manager and as TTO deputy director. As a program manager, he initiated the $500 million DARPA/Air Force Falcon program to develop and flight test technologies for long duration hypersonic flight and affordable, responsive space lift.

Dr. Walker holds a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame, a Master of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Dayton, and a Doctorate of Philosophy in aerospace engineering from the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Walker is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and has written numerous technical publications based on his research and experience.

Finally, Dr. Walker has been awarded the AF Meritorious Service medal and the DoD Exceptional and Distinguished Service medals.