Dr. Stephen Hary

Dr. Stephen Hary serves as a Program Engineer within the Air Force Research Laboratory’s Propulsion Directorate (AFRL/PZL), where he plays a pivotal role in guiding the technical direction and acquisition strategy for advanced aerospace propulsion systems, hypersonics, and high-performance materials research. He bridges engineering innovation with procurement execution, ensuring that R&D contracts align with mission-critical objectives for next-generation air and space dominance. His acquisitions primarily focus on fundamental and applied research in propulsion technologies, adaptive flight control systems, and functional material development, often involving complex, multi-year technical contracts requiring rigorous engineering validation and prototyping. Dr. Hary maintains sustained working relationships with leading aerospace and defense contractors including UES INC, General Electric Company, DCS Corporation, Spirit Aerosystems Inc, and Advanced Thermoplastic Composites LLC. These partnerships are characterized by deep technical collaboration, with vendors frequently engaged in long-term, performance-based research contracts requiring specialized expertise in propulsion system design, composite material integration, and computational fluid dynamics. His procurement approach emphasizes technical excellence and innovation, favoring vendors with proven capabilities in high-risk, high-reward propulsion technologies. Dr. Hary’s contracting portfolio exhibits no set-aside preferences, with 100% of awards issued under full and open competition. This reflects a mission-driven emphasis on securing the most technically capable providers, regardless of socioeconomic status, to meet the urgent and specialized demands of national defense propulsion programs. While small business participation is not formally prioritized through set-asides, qualified small firms may still compete successfully based on technical merit and innovation. His primary procurement focus is on NAICS 541712—Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences (except Biotechnology)—with expertise spanning propulsion system modeling, hypersonic vehicle integration, and advanced material characterization. He consistently procures engineering services, prototype development, and test validation for next-generation propulsion architectures, demonstrating deep technical fluency in aerospace systems and materials science.