Experience | Matt Smithers | Northrop Grumman, NASA, U.S. Navy

Career Timeline

2021-Present

Northrop Grumman, Aeronautics Systems

Product Support Manager 2 | Flight Test Maintenance Manager | Flight Test Engineer

2015-2021

Yulista Tactical Services (NASA Contractor)

Instructor Flight Engineer | Super Guppy, C-130, P-3

2010-2015

Wyle Laboratories, Aerospace Division

Flight Engineer | C-130 & P-3 Test & Evaluation

1995-2017

U.S. Navy / Naval Reserve

Instructor Flight Engineer | QA Representative | Maintenance Leader
VP-69, VP-5, VP-62, VQ-2, VR-62, VR-54

Key Programs

Northrop Grumman (2021-Present)

Product Support Manager 2, Technical Data Development

Melbourne, FL

Lead bi-coastal team producing S1000D technical data for classified advanced aerospace systems
Delivered 6 consecutive quarters on budget and on schedule through disciplined EVMS reporting
Partner directly with government customers, engineering teams, and suppliers on critical technical issues
Brief executive leadership on program performance, cost variance, and mitigation strategies

Flight Test Maintenance Support Manager

Edwards AFB, CA

Directed maintenance support across Edwards AFB Combined Test Force and Plant 42 STRIKE division
Achieved 100% operational readiness and full DCMA 8210.1C compliance
Managed 8 cost accounts comprising multimillion-dollar budgets
Improved contract deliverable compliance by 15% through standardized procedures

Flight Test Engineer, STRIKE

Palmdale, CA

Authored and executed Acceptance Test Procedures for classified ACAT 1D programs
Developed FGCOP framework for Site 4 STRIKE program
Partnered with Airworthiness Board to establish test and evaluation frameworks

NASA Contractor (2015-2021)

Instructor Flight Engineer

Super Guppy Turbine, C-130, P-3 | Houston, TX & Wallops Island, VA

Led sensor integration, test, and evaluation for C-130 and P-3 science missions
Authored evaluation reports shaping NASA mission capability development
Managed and documented 30+ flight test missions in NAMIS
Qualified two additional flight engineers, enhancing organizational readiness by 50%

Wyle Laboratories (2010-2015)

Flight Engineer

C-130 & P-3 Test & Evaluation | Dallas, TX

Conducted 40+ functional and mission test flights for new sensor systems
Oversaw international sensor integration programs and operational readiness evaluations
Served as Foreign Military Sales representative to Philippine Navy
Coordinated acceptance inspections, ground/flight testing, and ferry operations

U.S. Navy (1995-2017)

Combat Operations & ISR Leadership

Deployed with 5th & 7th Fleet in support of OEF/OIF
Conducted maritime patrol, ISR, SIGINT, and ELINT operations across CENTCOM, SOCOM, and INDOPACOM
Integrated and operated advanced sensors on P-3 aircraft across six squadrons
Built extensive network across Naval aviation community, including current flag officers and Pentagon staff

NAVAIR Program Office Partnership

Coordinated directly with NAVAIR PMA-290 on fleet requirements and operational test planning
Provided operator perspective on maritime patrol capabilities and fleet transition requirements
Translated fleet needs into technical requirements for program office

Crisis Leadership Highlight

Led engine change and nighttime Functional Check Flight in Philippines following 2011 Japan earthquake
Enabled rapid return to operations and delivery of 340,000+ lbs of humanitarian aid to disaster areas

Operational Management

Managed operations scheduling for 20 pilots and 12 flight engineers
Aligned $6M quarterly budgets with mission requirements
Directed 10+ aircraft phase inspections for global deployments
Conducted 100+ technical audits as QA Representative

Awards & Recognition

2022 Team Excellence Award, B-21 Program | Northrop Grumman
2020 Award for Exceptional Scientific Achievement, Earth Venture Mission | NASA
2017 Group Achievement Award, NAAMES Mission | NASA
2017 Orion Outstanding Customer Support Award | NASA
2015 Sailor of the Quarter | VR-54
2011 Sailor of the Year | VR-62