Bryan K. Smith

Bryan K. Smith is the director of Research and Engineering at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. He is responsible for leading a staff of approximately 1,100 engineers and scientists as well as managing research and development in power, propulsion, communications, and materials and structures for extreme environments.

Prior to this appointment, Smith served as director of Facilities, Test, and Center Operations at NASA Glenn. In this capacity, Smith was responsible for transformation of facility infrastructure and operation of test facilities at Glenn’s Lewis Field campus. 

Smith previously served as director of Space Flight Systems from 2011 through 2020. In that role, he was responsible for the space missions assigned to the center, with an annual budget of approximately $425 million. He oversaw formulation and execution of space projects including the Power and Propulsion Element and the Orion European Service Module.

Smith has served in several other leadership positions at NASA, including chief of Glenn’s Systems Engineering and Analysis Division and chief engineer for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center, which provides analysis of NASA’s high-risk projects. 

He completed a two-year program executive assignment at NASA Headquarters in Washington before returning to Glenn to serve assignments as chief of the Space Transportation Project Office, chief of the Nuclear Technology and Demonstration Project Office, and chief of Glenn’s Crew Exploration Vehicle Project Office. 

Smith began his career in 1983 at Rockwell International as a manufacturing system engineer and later worked as a production supervisor of military aircraft. He joined Glenn in 1987, supporting the development of the International Space Station’s power system and then serving as a launch vehicle mission manager. 

Smith earned a bachelor’s degree in industrial and systems engineering from Ohio University, a master’s degree in industrial engineering from Cleveland State University, a master’s degree in engineering and management from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a certificate in legislative studies from Georgetown University. He is the recipient of NASA’s Significant Achievement Medal, the Exceptional Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, and the prestigious Presidential Rank Award for Meritorious Executives.