Dr. William H. “Bill” Luebke began his civil service career through appointment as a member of the Senior Executive Service on January 24, 2005. He began serving as the Technical Director for NSWC Port Hueneme Division in November 2015. After graduating from the U.S. Naval Academy with a bachelor’s degree and the Naval Postgraduate School with a master’s degree in mechanical engineering, Dr. Luebke began his career as a Navy Lieutenant serving aboard USS Truett, FF 1095 (1977 - 1979). Subsequent tours included USS Scott, DDG 995 where he served as Chief Engineer and then Operations Officer (1980 - 1984); MIT, where he earned a doctorate degree in ocean engineering (1984 - 1987); SUPSHIP Pascagoula, where he served as the Aegis Test Officer and sole Combat Systems Ship Superintendent for AEGIS ships (1988- 1989); and NAVSEA PMS400, where he served as the DDG51 Production Officer (1989 - 1992).
Dr. Luebke’s career then shifted to Washington, DC, where he held a number of leadership positions and entered the acquisition community. In 1993 he reported to DASN(SHIPS) in the Pentagon as Director for Surface Combatants under Mr. Ron Kiss. After completing the Program Management Course at DSMC in 1995, he served as DPM for the $6B Strategic Sealift Program, overseeing the conversion and construction of 20 ships at 3 different shipyards in support of the U.S. Army’s pre-positioning needs. From 1996 to 1997 he served as the EA for Commander, Naval Sea Systems Command, VADM George Sterner.
In 1997 Dr. Luebke became the Program Manager for the $10B LPD17 shipbuilding program, where he developed and implemented acquisition reform initiatives leading to a projected 20% reduction in both crew size and Total Ownership Cost over the lifecycle of the class. He also led a joint industry-government team of over 500 professionals and a 1,200-person design team through the detail design and early construction phases. In 2001 Dr. Luebke served as the EA and Naval Aide for the Honorable Mr. John Young (ASN(RDA)). From 2002 through 2003,
Dr. Luebke served as the Technical Director for the Future Concepts and Surface Ship Design Group (NAVSEA 05D) where he oversaw the engineering and design for all surface ships and craft systems for the Next Navy and Navy After Next. Dr. Luebke retired from the Navy in 2004 at the rank of Captain and entered the private sector, serving as Director of Technology for CAE Marine Systems. From 2005 through mid- 2009, he served as Director for Marine Engineering at the Naval Sea Systems Command. In that capacity, his responsibilities encompassed technical authority, R&D investment, acquisition program support, and stewardship in support of the Air, Submarine, and Surface Warfare Enterprises. From 2009 through 2015, Dr. Luebke served as the Technical Director for NSWC Corona.