Office of the Chief Engineer
The Office of the Chief Engineer (OCE) serves as the principal advisor to the Administrator and other senior officials on matters pertaining to the technical readiness and execution of NASA programs and projects. OCE provides policy direction, oversight, and assessment for NASA engineering and ensures the continuity and application of critical knowledge throughout NASA’s engineering and program/project management workforce. The OCE ensures that NASA’s development efforts and mission operations are planned and conducted on a sound engineering basis with proper controls and management of technical risks.
Learn More About Office of the Chief Engineer about Office of the Chief Engineer
Office of the Chief Engineer
Strategic Priorities
Find information about Technical Authority, Engineering Policy and Standards, Mission Resilience, Independent Assessments, and more.
Divisions
View an Organizational Chart and learn more about the Divisions of the Office of the Chief Engineer and their responsibilities and focus areas.
Engineering Management Board
The Engineering Management Board (EMB) is a leadership team that evaluates Agency engineering capabilities and provides advice to the Chief Engineer.
Lessons Learned
Utilize lessons learned for effective decision-making through engineering design and project management case analyses.
APPEL Knowledge Services
The Academy of Program/Project and Engineering Leadership (APPEL) Knowledge Services serves as a resource for supporting the technical workforce.
NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC)
NESC's mission is to perform value-added independent testing, analysis, and assessments of NASA's high-risk projects to ensure safety and mission success.
Joseph W. Pellicciotti
As Chief Engineer, Joseph W. Pellicciotti is responsible for the overall review and technical readiness of all NASA programs. The chief engineer provides executive leadership for the effective management of all OCE programs, resources, and external requirements for OCE. OCE executes the agency’s Engineering Technical Authority and provides independent assessments to key organizations through its Mission Directorate Chief Engineers and other expert staff, who steward Agency-level policy, standards and guidance, and Mission Resilience and Protection. OCE also ensures that the agency’s technical workforce has the skills and knowledge needed to advance mission success through its Chief Knowledge Officer and Academy for Program/Project and Engineering Leadership (APPEL). Within OCE, the NASA Engineering and Safety Center develops rapid, cross‐Agency response to mission critical engineering issues, and works proactively to help NASA avoid problem recurrence and to prevent future problems.
Read the Chief Engineer's Full Bio
