Michael Gross

Michael Gross is a highly accomplished engineer, leader, and innovator with years of experience in NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. He holds a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering, both from California State University, Northridge, with high honors. Throughout his career, Gross has held various management, advisory, and technical roles, overseeing some of the most ambitious and groundbreaking space missions in history.

As the Division Manager of Autonomous Systems at NASA JPL, Gross leads a team of engineers, scientists, and managers tasked with developing and executing advanced robotics and artificial intelligence systems for space exploration and scientific discovery. Prior to this, he served as the Deputy Manager of the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment Follow-On Project, responsible for the day-to-day operations and integration of the mission's instruments and subsystems. He also served as the Manager of the Flight System for GRACE Follow-On, where he oversaw the design, fabrication, testing, and launch of the spacecraft.

Gross's expertise extends beyond spacecraft design and operations, as he has also served in roles related to power and sensor systems, mission assurance, and project management. Before joining JPL, he worked as an electrical design consultant and honed his skills in analog and digital circuits, data acquisition and processing, and FPGA design.

Throughout his career, Gross has received numerous awards and recognitions for his exceptional performance, leadership, and contributions to the field of space exploration. He is a respected and sought-after speaker and mentor, inspiring the next generation of engineers and scientists to push the boundaries of technology and knowledge.