J. Robert Wirthlin, PhD, is a product development technical executive in defense, aerospace and automotive. Most recently, he was the Senior Technical Leader for Systems Engineering and Optimization in the Vehicle Hardware Engineering Systems Group at Ford Motor Company. His responsibilities included being the Global Systems Engineering POV (Point of View) owner for Ford. With overall responsibility for all aspects of plans, processes, training, and strategy regarding Systems Engineering application in Ford’s product development, his multidisciplinary team of experts across mechanical, electrical, and software engineering are dedicated to 21st Century Systems Engineering processes, methodology, tools, and practices, including Model Based Systems Engineering, simulation and analysis, and automotive product development.
Previously, Dr. Wirthlin worked for General Motors in GM’s systems engineering efforts, including managing their Requirements Modeling and Product Line Engineering. Earlier, Dr. Wirthlin served 21 years as an officer in the United States Air Force with leadership assignments in systems engineering and program management. He also was an Assistant Professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology teaching Systems Engineering and Research and Development Management.
Within INCOSE, he has contributed through both technical leadership and organizational governance in many capacities such as Michigan Chapter President, Corporate Advisory Board representative for both Ford and GM, and other service roles helping shape numerous events such as recent International Symposia as the Technical Planning Committee Chair and Deputy Chair, and leadership roles at several Great Lakes Regional Conferences. He continues to support the advancement of INCOSE’s mission across chapters and sectors.
Dr. Wirthlin’s PhD and MS are from MIT in Engineering Systems, and Engineering and Management, respectively. He holds a BS in Engineering Sciences from the United States Air Force Academy. He is an active member of INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering), SAE, a senior member of AIAA, and is a Certified Systems Engineering Professional. He has numerous publications to his credit.
