Physicist, AI and autonomy expert, and US Navy Reserve officer will serve as the agency's 24th director
May 20, 2025
Stephen Winchell was sworn in today as the 24th director of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency.
Winchell most recently led the artificial intelligence and autonomy portfolio for the Defense Department’s Strategic Capabilities Office. Prior to that, he was chief engineer for the Pentagon’s Algorithmic Warfare Cross-Functional Team, commonly known as Project Maven.
He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, where he later taught as a faculty member in the electrical and computer engineering department. He also served as a submarine officer in the U.S. Navy and continues to serve as an officer in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He also has been a Presidential Innovation Fellow at the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity and worked with a venture-backed start-up focused on AI security.
“DARPA is the most impactful organization in the DOD due to the speed of its unique innovation process, world class program teams, and willingness to embrace risk,” Winchell said. “I am honored to join the DARPA team and advance the agency’s legacy of delivering decisive technological surprise to the warfighter.”
“Mr. Winchell’s hard science background and warfighting experience on some of our most technologically complex weapon systems, make him a fantastic pick for this critical position," said The Honorable Emil Michael, the Under Secretary of Defense (Research & Engineering) who oversees the activities of DARPA. “We here at the headquarters welcome him to the team and look forward to working together to ensure that DARPA, as the preeminent innovation agency in DOD, stands ready to address the Department’s most challenging issues.”
Winchell earned a Bachelor of Science in physics from the U.S. Naval Academy, a Master of Science in applied physics from the U.S. Naval Postgraduate School, a Master of Science in systems engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Virginia.
He is a rescue SCUBA diver, skydiver, and avid student of military history.
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