Dr. David Shaw (ST)

Chief Engineer, Sea-Launched Cruise Missile - Nuclear, Strategic Systems Programs

Dr. David Shaw (ST)

Dr. David Shaw is the Navy's distinguished engineer for the Nuclear Submarine-Launched Cruise Missile (SLCM-N), a senior professional in the executive service at Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) in Washington, D.C. He serves as the principal technical authority and senior advisor to the deputy director, Regional Strike Systems and the Director, Strategic Systems Programs on all aspects of the SLCM-N weapon system, from initial design and development to manufacturing, testing, and evaluation.

As the SLCM-N chief engineer, Shaw is responsible for establishing and enforcing rigorous scientific and engineering disciplines, processes, and standards. His leadership ensures the safety, performance, and uncompromising quality of this critical weapon system, providing the nation with a flexible, credible, and survivable nuclear deterrent.

Shaw brings to this position 19 years of experience in the research, development, acquisition, and sustainment of conventional hypersonic and nuclear weapon systems. He began his career in 2006 as a research and development scientist at Orbital ATK, Inc., where he developed advanced computational analysis techniques and led groundbreaking research into solid rocket propellant aging. His work was instrumental in developing non-destructive methods for evaluating propellant integrity and modeling gas migration within rocket motors, significantly contributing to the lifespan and reliability analysis of the solid rocket motors.

Since joining SSP in 2017, Shaw has held positions of increasing responsibility within the Trident II D5 strategic weapons system program. He has led numerous technical investigations and managed key programmatic facets of the strategic weapons system. Most recently, he served as the section head for the Common Hypersonic Glide Body (C-HGB), spearheading the design, implementation, and integration of the C-HGB into the Conventional Prompt Strike weapons system.

Complementing his civilian role, Shaw serves in the United States Navy Reserve as a lieutenant. He has demonstrated exceptional leadership in various assignments, including the Naval Sea Systems Command Surge Maintenance Norfolk Unit, the South West Regional Maintenance Unit, and the Strategic Weapons Engineering Unit.

A native of Arvada, Colorado, Shaw holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering from the University of Colorado – Boulder and a Doctor of Philosophy in chemical engineering from the University of Utah. He is a member of the Acquisition Professional Community and holds Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act certifications in the Engineering and Technical Management (Advanced) career fields from the Defense Acquisition University, underscoring his commitment to excellence in his profession.

Last Updated: 3 December 2025

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