Dr. Ralph A. Sandfry joined Lockheed Martin in 2021 and serves as the Senior Manager of Global Research and Engagement. In this role, Dr. Sandfry is responsible for fostering a global network of technology partnerships to develop and deliver breakthrough technologies and capabilities for Lockheed Martin customers. He leads customer engagement across the science & technology (S&T) ecosystem and manages international and domestic research with universities, DoD laboratories, and small businesses.
Dr. Sandfry joined Lockheed Martin after 32 years of service in the Department of Defense (DoD) as an Air Force Officer and a DoD Civilian as the Chief of Staff of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). In this role, he led DARPA staff in support of the Director to plan and execute the Agency’s $3.4 billion dollar annual technology portfolio and create pivotal early investments for revolutionary national security technologies enabling hypersonic weapons, enhanced cybersecurity, quantum computing, secure 5G networks, and pandemic prevention.
As a career Air Force officer, Dr. Sandfry led an Air Staff Division in the Pentagon to develop and defend the annual $2.2 billion Air Force S&T program. Earlier in his career he was an Associate Professor at the U.S. Air Force Academy Department of Astronautics. He also served in a wide range of program management, systems engineering, and test leadership positions including roles with the Global Positioning System and Maverick Missile program offices.
Dr. Sandfry earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Kansas, a Master’s Degree in Systems Engineering from AFIT, and a Doctorate in Aerospace Engineering from Virginia Tech. He also earned a Master’s in Strategic Studies from Air War College. Awards include the DARPA Superior Public Service Award, Air Force Legion of Merit, the Outstanding Dissertation Award for Virginia Tech, AIAA Rocky Mountain Region Engineer of the Year, and the U.S. Air Force Academy Outstanding Educator Award.