National Aeronautics and Space Administration

www.nasa.gov

Biography

Mr. Robert A. Pearce

Associate Administrator for ARMD

NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD)

Image Credit: NASA / Bill Ingalls

Mr. Robert A. Pearce is the associate administrator for NASA ARMD. Pearce manages 

the agency’s aeronautics research portfolio and guides its strategic direction, including 

research in quiet supersonic flight over land, urban air mobility, autonomy, highly 

efficient advanced air vehicle concepts, electrified aircraft propulsion, advanced materials, 

airspace operations and safety, integration and flight demonstrations of aviation systems, 

and the nurturing and development of transformative concepts for aviation.

Pearce served as acting associate administrator from August 2019. Prior to that he was 

ARMD’s deputy associate administrator for strategy, where he led aeronautics research 

mission strategic planning to guide the content, strategic progress and relevance of 

ARMD’s research portfolio, and led review and evaluation of ARMD’s budget and 

approval process. 

His first position in ARMD was as director for strategy, architecture and analysis, where 

he established a strategic systems analysis capability focused on understanding the 

system-level impacts of NASA’s programs, the potential for integrated solutions, and the 

development of high-leverage options for new investment and partnership.

From 2003 until July 2010, Pearce was the deputy director of the FAA-led Next 

Generation Air Transportation System (NextGen) Joint Planning and Development 

Office (JPDO). The JPDO was an interagency office tasked with developing and 

facilitating the implementation of a national plan to transform the air transportation 

system to meet the long-term transportation needs of the nation.

Prior to the JPDO, Pearce held various strategic and program management positions 

within NASA. In the mid-1990s he led the development of key national policy 

documents including the National Science and Technology Council’s “Goals for a 

National Partnership in Aeronautics Research and Technology” and the “Transportation 

Science and Technology Strategy.” These two documents provided a substantial basis for 

NASA’s expanded investment in aviation safety and airspace systems.

He began his career as a design engineer at the Grumman Corporation, working on such 

projects as the Navy’s F-14 Tomcat fighter and DARPA’s X-29 Forward Swept Wing 

Demonstrator. Pearce also has experience from the Department of Transportation’s Volpe 

National Transportation Systems Center where he made contributions in the area of 

advanced concepts for intercity transportation systems.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration

www.nasa.gov

Biography

Mr. Robert A. Pearce (continued)

Associate Administrator for ARMD

NASA Aeronautics Research Mission Directorate (ARMD)

Pearce has received NASA’s Exceptional Service Medal for sustained excellence in planning 

and advocating innovative aeronautics programs in conjunction with the White House 

and other federal agencies. He received NASA’s Exceptional Achievement Medal for 

outstanding leadership of the JPDO in support of the transformation of the nation’s air 

transportation system. Pearce has also received NASA’s Cooperative External Achievement 

Award and several Exceptional Performance and Group Achievement Awards.

He earned a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering from 

Syracuse University, and a master’s of science degree in technology and policy from the 

Massachusetts Institute of Technology.