NASA Administrator Sean O’Keefe today named Theron M. Bradley Jr. as the
agency’s Chief Engineer, responsible for the overall review and technical
readiness of all NASA programs.
Bradley, 55, is a former nuclear engineer for the U.S. Navy, serving in the
Naval Nuclear Propulsion Program. He has also served as a civilian with the
U.S. Department of Energy and the Department of Defense in numerous leadership
and management positions with the Office of Naval Reactors, both in Washington
and in the Idaho branch.
“As this agency explores next-generation technology and propulsion
alternatives, it’s important to have someone who can provide an independent
technical review of our programs and projects,” said Administrator O’Keefe.
“Theron’s impressive credentials as a technical designer and engineer will be
instrumental in evaluating the development success and safety of our future
ventures.”
Reporting directly to the Administrator, Bradley will ensure development
efforts and mission operations are being planned and conducted on a sound
engineering basis and will provide an integrated focus for agency-wide
engineering policies, standards and practices.
During his Navy career, Bradley served as Director, Submarine Systems, for the
Trident submarine program and was instrumental in the initial design of the
nuclear propulsion plant for Nimitz class aircraft carriers and the advanced
reactor design for Los Angeles class submarines.
Since 1982, he has served the Director of Naval Nuclear Propulsion as a field
representative and manager of the branch office in Idaho, in charge of nuclear
operations.
Bradley will join NASA June 15.
