Dr. Steven Van Dyk is the Chief Engineer for Strategic Systems Programs (SSP). He earned a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Southern California, a Master of Science in electrical engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and a doctorate from Vanderbilt University in interdisciplinary studies, management of technology. He is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community and is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act level III certified in the Program Management and Engineering career fields.

Van Dyk received his commission in the U.S. Navy through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Program in 1980. He served on various Fleet Ballistic Missile Submarines as a strategic weapons officer. He gained a subspecialty rating in strategic weapons and electrical engineering and as the engineer on a diesel submarine. His shore duty assignments included engineer in charge of the production and repair of the Mark 48 submarine launched torpedo program at Naval Sea Systems Command and executive officer of SSP’s Program Management Office responsible for the technical management of the guidance and fire control subsystems production and repair. Following his retirement from the U.S. Navy in 1996 as a lieutenant commander, he accepted a position with Kaman Sciences Corporation and worked in radiation effects.

Prior to his appointment as the chief engineer in January 2022, Van Dyk was the technical plans officer, in addition to holding previous roles in the Reentry Systems Branch, Guidance System Branch and Missile System Branch at SSP. He also held the Technical Warrant for Radiation Hardening.

In his role as chief engineer, Van Dyk serves as the senior technical authority within the command. He is responsible for weapons systems engineering, top-level specifications and requirements, technical disciplines, configuration management, and safety. The office of the chief engineer manages weapons systems documentations and the technical evaluation program. Van Dyk also oversees civilian Technical Qualifications and Enterprise Information Management.

Van Dyk has been a member of the Senior Executive Service since October 2018 and has over 20 years of civilian service. He received the Department of the Navy Superior Civilian Service Award in 2012.

Last Updated: 11 May 2023