Jared Dervan

Leads multidisciplinary teams in the development of advanced space systems, driving innovation across hardware and software engineering disciplines. Experienced in managing complex projects from concept through deployment, ensuring technical excellence and mission success. Skilled in integrating cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration, and solving complex engineering challenges to meet program objectives. Currently serves as the Chief Engineer for the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) program, a cornerstone of NASA’s Mars Sample Return campaign. Oversees the technical design and integration of the MAV, managing a multidisciplinary team to address the unprecedented challenges of launching from the Martian surface. Responsible for system architecture, vehicle performance analysis, and technology integration, ensuring alignment with mission objectives and program milestones. Collaborates with industry and government partners to drive technical decisions that balance innovation, risk, and reliability. Plays a key role in advancing technologies that will enable the return of the first samples from another planet, marking a historic achievement in space exploration

Served as the Deputy Chief Engineer for the Mars Ascent Vehicle (MAV) program, a key element of NASA’s Mars Sample Return campaign. Provided critical support to the Chief Engineer in overseeing the technical design and integration of the MAV, coordinating efforts across mechanical, electrical, and software disciplines. Focused on system architecture, vehicle performance analysis, and technology integration, ensuring alignment with program milestones and mission objectives. Collaborated with industry and government stakeholders to address engineering challenges, drive innovation, and maintain technical rigor. Played a vital role in advancing technologies to achieve the first-ever launch from the Martian surface, contributing to a historic step forward in space exploration.

Led the technical development of Solar Cruiser, a NASA solar sail demonstration mission aimed at advancing propulsion technologies for deep space exploration. Managed multidisciplinary engineering teams, overseeing system architecture, performance analysis, and technology integration to ensure mission success. Directed cross-functional collaboration across hardware and software disciplines, solving complex engineering challenges and driving innovation in solar sail propulsion. Provided technical leadership in design reviews, risk management, and system integration, ensuring that all subsystems aligned with mission objectives and program milestones. Worked closely with NASA and industry partners to develop cutting-edge solar sail technologies capable of enabling future deep space missions. Played a pivotal role in advancing sustainable and efficient propulsion systems, contributing to the future of interplanetary exploration and demonstrating the potential of solar sail technology for extended space operations.

Led the development and management of system interfaces for NASA's Lunar Gateway, a critical component of the Artemis program supporting sustainable human exploration of the Moon and beyond. Managed multidisciplinary teams responsible for defining, coordinating, and integrating interfaces across Gateway modules and partner contributions, ensuring seamless interoperability within the cislunar outpost. Oversaw the development of interface control documents (ICDs), system architecture alignment, and cross-module integration, collaborating with international partners to drive technical decisions and resolve complex engineering challenges. Played a key role in interface verification and validation efforts, ensuring compatibility between hardware, software, power, thermal, and communication systems. This work advanced the Gateway's development, enabling a sustainable lunar presence and serving as a critical stepping stone for future crewed missions to Mars.

Served as the Technical Assistant in the Space Systems Department Project Engineering Branch, supporting the Branch Chief in managing and coordinating project engineering activities across approximately 13 space flight systems, aeronautical flight systems, space vehicles, and payloads. Assisted in performance reviews, contractor evaluations, and branch management functions, providing technical feedback and recommendations. Oversaw systems engineering and integration activities, supporting projects from formulation through implementation, including hardware development, software development, integration, testing, certification, and operations. Provided subject matter expertise to Lead Systems Engineers and projects, resolving design and integration issues to maintain schedules and mitigate risks. Mentored Lead Systems Engineers and discipline personnel, offering guidance on technical acumen, systems engineering best practices, and project execution strategies. Facilitated knowledge-sharing through formal and informal coaching to strengthen team capabilities and promote professional growth. Led new project formulation efforts for the Space Systems Department, coordinating with internal and external partners and aligning new projects with departmental and NASA strategic goals. Managed proposal development and gate review processes, resource estimation, and talent recruitment to support new initiatives. Built strong relationships with project managers, engineering divisions, and NASA leadership to support project execution and workforce planning.

Served as the Lead Systems Engineer for NASA’s Near-Earth Asteroid (NEA) Scout mission, a solar sail-driven CubeSat designed to demonstrate low-cost deep space exploration and characterize a near-Earth asteroid. Led the development and integration of the mission system architecture, ensuring alignment of spacecraft subsystems with mission requirements and objectives. Managed cross-functional engineering teams, overseeing system design, interface definition, and end-to-end mission analysis. Coordinated design reviews, verification and validation activities, and risk management processes, ensuring system readiness for launch and deep space operations. Collaborated with NASA and industry partners to resolve complex engineering challenges, including solar sail deployment dynamics and deep space navigation. Contributed to the mission’s success in advancing solar sail propulsion technology and demonstrating its potential for future small spacecraft missions in deep space exploration.

Served as the final technical authority for nine distinct and innovative technology development projects under NASA's Technology Demonstration Missions (TDM) Program, covering areas such as advanced propulsion (green propellant, solar sail), laser communication, Mars entry, descent, and landing (EDL) risk reduction, long-term on-orbit cryogenic propellant storage, telerobotics, autonomous rendezvous and docking, and precision radio navigation. Provided program-level technical insight and oversight, assessing project system design, development, and production through evaluations at major milestone reviews. Led independent system analyses to support insight and oversight activities, offering interdisciplinary feedback and risk assessments to the program manager while exercising the technical authority function. Developed and initiated the first spacecraft certification process within the TDM program, defining approval authorities and overall process flow tailored to the program's low-cost, technology-focused nature. Led the framework development for new project starts within the program, including program-level requirements definition and approval processes.

Served as an Aerospace Engineer within the Structural and Mechanical Design Branch, contributing to multiple spaceflight and technology development projects. Led the design, analysis, and development of flight systems, subsystem hardware, and components from concept through critical design and testing. Executed structural and mechanical concept development for science, human exploration, and technology projects. Performed trade studies, technical resource analysis, interface management, configuration management, and multiple failure investigations. Managed subsystem hardware development, technical integration, and test planning activities. Contributed to new business development, leading proposal efforts and performing trade studies to advance novel technologies, including deep space propulsion systems and solar sail technologies. Supported in-house and contractor-led developments through technical oversight and collaboration.

Served as a Resident Engineer for the NASA Engineering and Safety Center (NESC), providing independent technical assessments for agency-wide programs and projects. Conducted detailed failure investigations, technical reviews, and risk assessments across multiple spaceflight initiatives. Led a failure investigation for Space Shuttle Program hardware, analyzing cracks in flight hardware, proposing repairs, and supporting flight rationale development. Acted as liaison between the Space Shuttle Program and NESC analysis teams, coordinating efforts with contractors and subject matter experts. Supported systems engineering efforts for the preliminary design of the Solid Rocket Sustainer Motor (SRSM), defining design goals, assembling test and manufacturing flows, and developing certification test plans. Participated in numerous interdisciplinary assessments, gaining exposure to agency and industry technical leaders while advancing systems engineering processes. Provided technical recommendations to senior leadership, contributing to critical decision-making processes for high-priority NASA missions.

Participated in cooperative education rotations at NASA MSFC, gaining hands-on experience across multiple engineering disciplines and contributing to various spaceflight projects. Supported structural and mechanical design activities, assisting in concept development, trade studies, and hardware integration.

Completed a cooperative education rotation in the Airbreathing Systems Analysis Office at NASA Glenn Research Center (GRC), supporting projects focused on airbreathing propulsion technologies. Supported development of gas turbine engine models for parametric studies.

Master's focus in area of Acoustics, Dynamics, and Vibrations