Lael Rudd

Dr. Lael Rudd joined DARPA in March 2020 as a program manager in the Tactical Technology Office. He is developing autonomy and artificial intelligence programs in TTO and in the Defense Sciences Office supporting air, space, and soldier systems.

Prior to joining DARPA, Rudd was chief scientist for BAE Systems’ FAST Labs, where he was responsible for programs relating to manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) including a national effort. Rudd also developed model-based systems engineering (MBSE) processes for the organization and co-authored the Electronic Systems Sector Autonomy Technical Strategy.

Rudd previously worked at the Charles Stark Draper Laboratory as a Distinguished Member of the Technical Staff. While there he was the technical director for the Conventional Prompt Strike hypersonic program, bringing model-based engineering into the program as well as other advanced technologies. He also advanced the lab’s autonomy technical strategy and worked alternative positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT) efforts.

Before Draper, Rudd worked at Lockheed Martin Advanced Technology Laboratories as a research area lead for autonomy and human-machine interactions. His efforts included both aircraft and undersea autonomous platforms.

Rudd worked at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems with a multitude of assignments. These included managing the Autonomy, Flight Controls, and VMS Technology Development Area and being the sector’s technical area lead for autonomy. He held key positions for national programs relating to aircraft (crewed and unmanned) and space programs.

Rudd began his post-graduate career as a member of the technical staff at the Aerospace Corporation where he performed guidance analysis and verification and validation of flight software for Delta and Atlas launch vehicles.

His contributions have extended beyond his career positions. Rudd has taught undergraduate and graduate courses in the Mechanical and Aerospace Department at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the Electrical Engineering Department at the University of Southern California. He was a member of the National Academies Committee that developed the U.S. National Agenda for Autonomy Research Related to Civil Aviation. He has served on the AIAA Technical Committees for Human-Machine Teaming, Intelligent Systems, and Guidance Navigation and Control. He has also served on multiple panels for AIAA and NASA.

Rudd received B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland, College Park. In addition, he received an M.S degree in biomedical engineering from the University of Southern California and is currently finishing his M.S. in computer science from the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is an AIAA Associate Fellow and an IEEE senior member. He has three patents and eight trade secrets. He has received multiple awards for program performance and innovation. Rudd is also certified as a Project Management Professional. Rudd’s name is engraved on the National Air and Space Museum's Wall of Honor at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center.