Marc D. Bernstein

This is a headshot of Marc Bernstein

Dr. Marc D. Bernstein was selected for an Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA) assignment on 1 July 2019 as the Chief Scientist under the Assistant Secretary of the Air Force for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics and works in the Office of the Chief Architect of the Department of the Air Force. He provides technical leadership and advice for Department of the Air Force efforts, such as the Advanced Battle Management System.

Previously, Dr. Bernstein was the Associate Director of Lincoln Laboratory from July 2009 until July 2019. In this role, he oversaw the execution of the Laboratory’s technical programs; helped develop the Laboratory's Strategic Plan; chaired the Laboratory’s Mission Assurance Board; developed overarching Laboratory policies and procedures; and supported the day-to-day operation of an advanced research and development facility with 4,000 personnel and more than 2 million square feet of laboratory and program development space.

Dr. Bernstein has been an active researcher in ballistic missile defense (BMD) since 1987, when he joined Lincoln Laboratory as part of the Strategic Defense Initiative. His research areas have encompassed radar and optical sensor algorithm development and testing, as well as integrated system performance. Beginning in 1995, he served as a group leader in the National Missile Defense Group. Later, he was the lead for all BMD element programs at Lincoln Laboratory. In 2003, Dr. Bernstein was selected for an IPA assignment with the Missile Defense Agency. His initial assignment was with the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Joint Program Office as the Director of Future Block Plans and Integration. Under his direction, a Ground-based Midcourse Program Strategy was developed to guide future Block development. In 2004, he was promoted to the position of Deputy of Technology and Development for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Joint Program Office. In this role, he served as the program’s senior technical advisor and oversaw all GMD development. From 2005 to June 2007, he served in Huntsville, Alabama; Washington, D.C., and Hanscom Air Force Base as the Chief Scientist for the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense Program. After this IPA assignment, he was appointed in 2007 as Head of the Air and Missile Defense Technology Division at Lincoln Laboratory.

Upon completion of his previous IPA assignment, Dr. Bernstein received an Exceptional Public Service Medal from the Office of the Secretary of Defense. He holds a PhD degree in theoretical physics from the University of Washington. He is an Associate Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.