Dr. Gregg Jessen

Dr. Gregg Jessen serves as a Program Engineer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (AFRL/PZL), where he plays a pivotal role in shaping and executing technical acquisition strategies for advanced aerospace propulsion systems, hypersonic technologies, and high-performance materials. His position bridges engineering expertise with procurement oversight, ensuring that R&D contracts align with mission-critical objectives to sustain U.S. air and space dominance. Dr. Jessen typically manages complex, performance-based acquisitions for fundamental and applied research in propulsion science, adaptive flight control, and next-generation functional materials, often coordinating with multidisciplinary technical teams to define requirements and evaluate contractor proposals. Dr. Jessen maintains long-standing partnerships with leading aerospace and defense contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc., and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These relationships are characterized by deep technical collaboration, with vendors frequently engaged in multi-year, high-risk R&D efforts requiring specialized capabilities in propulsion system prototyping, computational fluid dynamics, and advanced composite manufacturing. His procurement approach emphasizes technical excellence, innovation, and sustained industry engagement, fostering trust through consistent, transparent contract execution and rigorous technical oversight. Dr. Jessen’s contracting portfolio reflects a strong preference for open competition, with 100% of awards issued under no set-aside classifications. This indicates a focus on selecting the most technically capable performers regardless of business size, prioritizing mission need over socioeconomic preferences. While small business participation is not structurally mandated in his acquisitions, vendors of all sizes are evaluated equally on technical merit, system readiness, and proven capability in high-consequence propulsion domains. His primary procurement activity centers on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences—where he specializes in acquiring advanced propulsion system design, hypersonic vehicle integration, and high-temperature material development. His technical domain expertise spans gas turbine innovation, scramjet propulsion, thermal protection systems, and additive manufacturing of aerospace components, making him a key gatekeeper for next-generation propulsion technologies critical to future air dominance.