Craig E. Perini

Craig E. Perini is a principal staff member of the Space Systems and Technology Division at MIT Lincoln Laboratory. Perini started at Lincoln Laboratory in 1985 as a member of the Aerospace Engineering Group. His early work included complex fluid dynamics computations, reentry ablation simulations, plume flow field analyses, and impulse response predictions for surface blow-off forces from nuclear events in support of the U.S. Air Force's Reentry System program.

In 1992, Perini was promoted to assistant leader of the Aerospace Engineering Group, leading part of a program that included wind tunnel testing, flight hardware development, flight testing, and performance evaluation efforts. On this project, he effectively managed multidisciplinary team activities with groups from across the Laboratory. In 2000, he was promoted to associate leader of the Aerospace Engineering Group and was responsible for the execution and management of a range of programs, including the Multi-Element Buoyant Cable Antenna and Military Facility Protection programs.

In 2004, he became the program manager for a large space sensor program. He assembled a strong technical team and led the rapid development of a space-based space surveillance optical sensor. He introduced collaborative system engineering and anomaly resolution techniques that were widely adopted for use by other project partners within the Laboratory.

In 2005, Perini transferred to the Optical Systems Engineering Group, and in 2007 he transferred to the Advanced Space Systems and Concepts Group while continuing to lead the execution of space payload developments. In 2008, he became the leader of the Optical Systems Engineering Group, where he oversaw numerous federated programs, including space sensor payloads, and aircraft installations on the Paul Revere 707 test bed. In 2009, Perini became the leader of the newly formed Rapid Prototyping Group, which focused on rapid-turn airborne and ground-based prototype efforts.

He holds a BS degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Maryland.