Justin Pierce is an aerospace engineer and strategic business leader with experience spanning launch systems, flight test, satellite development, and national security space missions. He currently serves as a Strategic Development Manager at BAE Systems, Space & Mission Systems, where he focuses on developing rapid capabilities for defense customers and advancing next-generation space technologies through partnerships across the commercial and national security space sectors.
Previously, Justin served as Space Vehicle Lead/Chief Engineer on multiple small satellite programs at BAE Systems and as the Falcon/SpaceX Chief Engineer for the U.S. Space Force at Vandenberg Space Force Base, overseeing technical launch readiness and serving as Launch Commander for National Security Space Launch missions. Earlier in his career, he supported more than 100 flight test missions across Boeing and General Atomics, testing advanced aerospace systems worldwide.
Justin is also a former Defense Ventures Fellow, where he worked at the intersection of defense and commercial innovation. Justin is focused on identifying and advancing the next generation of space technologies that will expand U.S. capabilities and help shape the future space economy.