Maynard Holliday

Director of Defense Research and Engineering for Modernization at United States Department of Defense

Maynard A. Holliday is currently Performing the Duties of Assistant Secretary of Defense for Critical Technologies in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering at the United States Department of Defense.1 2 In this role, he oversees investment and capability analysis of the Pentagon's critical technology areas, with oversight of 11 principal directors assigned to critical technology portfolios.1

Professional Experience

Holliday has over 30 years of experience leading technological innovations in both government and the private sector.1 His career highlights include:

Senior Engineer at the RAND Corporation, focusing on autonomous vehicle safety metrics, explainable AI, swarm robotics, and drone defense1
Senior Technical Advisor and Special Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics1
Project manager for the U.S.-Russia Nuclear Material Security Task Force at the Department of Energy1
Senior engineering and robotics professional at Lawrence Livermore and Sandia National Laboratories1
Worked at various robotics start-ups and technology companies in Silicon Valley1

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University (1984)1 2
Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering Design with emphasis on robotics, international security, and arms control from Stanford University1 2
Attended the International Space University in France1 2

Achievements and Contributions

Co-organizer of Black in Robotics, a worldwide community supporting Black researchers, industry professionals, and students in robotics1
Co-founder of Robot Garden, a robotics-themed hacker space in Livermore, California1
Awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Exceptional Public Service for his contributions to national security1 2
Received the Department of Energy's Meritorious Service Award for his work in securing weapons-grade nuclear material1
Two-time finalist for the U.S. Astronaut Corps1

In his current role, Holliday oversees over $1.4 billion in direct investment in the Pentagon's modernization priorities and capability analyses as outlined in the National Defense Strategy.2 His work focuses on critical technology areas including advanced computing, artificial intelligence, hypersonics, microelectronics, and space technology, among others.1 2