Kirsten Pilkerton

Kirsten Pilkerton supports the Naval Research Laboratory’s mission by managing complex research and development acquisitions that advance naval science and technology. She oversees the procurement of high-precision sensors, electronic warfare components, signal processing systems, and autonomous navigation technologies, ensuring alignment with the laboratory’s strategic priorities in physical sciences and engineering. Her role involves end-to-end contract administration for basic and applied R&D projects, from solicitation through award and performance monitoring, with a focus on enabling next-generation maritime capabilities through innovative technical solutions. Pilkerton maintains consistent partnerships with leading defense and aerospace contractors including ASSURANCE TECHNOLOGY CORP, L3HARRIS NEXGEN COMMUNICATIONS LLC, ENVISIONEERING INC, INTEGRATION INNOVATION INC, and ANALEX CORPORATION. These relationships reflect a preference for vendors with proven expertise in advanced instrumentation, electronic component manufacturing, and systems integration. Her contracting approach emphasizes technical rigor, performance-based outcomes, and long-term collaboration with industry partners capable of delivering mission-critical prototypes and scalable solutions under tight developmental timelines. Her procurement portfolio demonstrates a strong orientation toward open competition, with 73.9% of awards issued without set-aside restrictions, reflecting the specialized nature of the work. However, she actively supports small business participation, with 26.1% of contracts awarded under Total Small Business Set-Asides, consistently engaging qualified small firms capable of meeting the NRL’s demanding technical requirements in sensing, control systems, and signal analytics. Pilkerton’s primary focus lies in NAICS 541712 (Research and Development in Physical and Engineering Sciences), where she procures cutting-edge R&D services for naval applications. She also frequently acquires analytical laboratory instruments (NAICS 334516), precision measuring devices (NAICS 334519), and specialized electronic components (NAICS 334419, 334413), reflecting deep technical expertise in instrumentation, semiconductor-enabled systems, and embedded control technologies critical to modern naval platforms.