Dr. Douglas Orellana

Empowering business transformation and agility through disruptive technologies, organizational change management, and inclusion, diversity, equity and accessibility initiatives to meet emerging market needs.

Areas of Focus

Transformation

Through various learning opportunities and transformation initiatives across Northrop Grumman, SAIC, and now at ManTech, I have learned the need to observe, assess, orient, decide, and act in any transformation, This is truly the only way to understand how new technology, processes, and culture shifts can add value to a changing business.

Technology

Ever since I was a little boy I have been fascinated with technology. The thirst for knowledge and how technology could be used was a byproduct of my natural curiosity of taking apart toys and computers and being able to tour the MIT and Draper labs at such a young age. Today, I still possess that passion to innovate and find new uses for current and emerging technologies through new integrations and applications.

Organizational Change Management

I have embarked on a handful of digital transformations at three major aerospace and defense companies. The one thing that has been true through each initiative is biggest obstacle has always been the organization and culture shifts. Whether it is building new teams, upskilling, deploying new processes or total reorganization, without the proper guidance, governance, and preparation individuals will not be open to change.

Webinars

With over a decade of experience in transformation, systems engineering, and technology integration, I am responsible for ManTech’s digital transformation of systems engineering and developing the next generation solutions for intelligent systems engineering powered by advanced computing, modeling and simulation, automation, and artificial intelligence.

As Vice President of Intelligent Systems Engineering, I lead the corporation with specific strategic thrusts to position ManTech as an industry leader in Digital Engineering and Digital Twins. I am responsible for establishing a portfolio of capabilities that will position ManTech’s systems engineering and integration business growth across the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Space Force, U.S. Navy, U.S. Marine Corp, National Reconnaissance Office and other emerging markets.

I began my career at Northrop Grumman Corporation, as a systems engineer and architect. I held numerous positions with increasing authority within the system engineering organization that spanned the lifecycle of various systems (unmanned vehicles, special defense, intel systems, radars, sonars, and instrumentation and controls) from concept development to verification and validation. My final role was to lead Northrop Grumman’s MQ-25 conceptual functional architecture and systems engineering as a Systems Engineering Manager. Prior to my arrival at ManTech, I held other leading roles at SAIC, where most recently I was Director of Engineering Solutions. In this role, I positioned SAIC as an industry leader in digital engineering transformation through various corporate initiatives and solutions.

Beyond my professional life, I have felt a need to champion and collaborate on many inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility initiatives and projects in corporate America to break down barriers due to conscious and unconscious biases . I have helped start and have served in many leadership positions in Latinx and Multicultural Business Resource Groups as well as served on the national board of directors for the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. My hope through this work is aimed at uplifting the Latinx and other marginalized communities to achieve advanced degrees and careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

I have been humbled and blessed to be recognized for my academic excellence, professional work and community involvement. In 2021, I was named Top 40 Under 40 by AFCEA, for innovation and thought leadership in digital transformation supporting Aerospace and Defense. In 2019, the Engineer’s Council awarded me the Outstanding Engineering Achievement Award for my research contributions to the Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge. In 2012, INCOSE awarded me the JHU APL Alexander Kossiakoff SE Research Award. In 2010, Great Minds in STEM named me HENAAC’s Most Promising Engineer (Masters) and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers selected me in 2009 as a Promising Engineer for Technical Achievement.

I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and Masters in Systems Engineering from Johns Hopkins University, and my Doctorate in Astronautical Engineering from the University of Southern California, where I researched integrating human considerations into the system architecting process through the use of Model Based Systems Engineering and Ontologies.

Earth — Leadership
I lead by example, whether it is in my professional role as an executive for a major federal service provider or at home teaching my kids engineering through play.

My philosophy is to uplift those around me and establish a growth mindset. If we are not learning from each other and building trust we can never make progress.

I have been fortunate enough to lead teams in the aerospace and defense industry, technical non-profit organizations, and community based non-profit organizations to achieve a variety of technical and social based goals.

education changes the world — Mentorship
From a very young age I understood that I had an obligation to my community to mentor those behind me due to the many blessings and opportunities I have been given. The ability to guide others has been very meaningful to me, especially as you see the individual grow to become who they want to be.
I have had the honor to mentor many strong Latinx students and young professionals over the last decade. Some looking to continue postgraduate studies, others looking to transition to corporate America, and others weighing what is next in their journey. I tell all my mentees that you can find a mentor in anyone as long as you are willing to listen and engage.

farmland — Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access
I did not know or feel I was a minority until I got into high school, where through A Better Chance, I was lucky enough to attend an independent school in New England. From that moment on, I saw the need to have more people that looked like me to have similar opportunities. I want the new face of Corporate America to reflect our population. To give those who are marginalized, an opportunity to show the value they bring to the table through diversity of thought and experiences.

"Douglas is one of the finest architects I know, particularly for Model Based Systems Engineering! He had deep expertise in SysML and DoDAF/UPDM and the tools (Rhapsody, Cameo, and others) needed to express these languages in a model. I most value his knowledge of the methods that can be used and when it makes the most sense to employ them. He is fun to work with, always on top of industry trends, and innovative in ways to achieve greater efficiency and quality. I highly recommend him to anyone seeking a top-knot he architect with MBSE expertise."

Heidi Jugovic

Solutions Architect at SAIC

"Keep an eye on Doug Orellana! His career continues an upward trajectory with his recent accomplishment earning a PhD from USC in Astronautics and Systems Architecting and Engineering. Doug and I worked together the past 4 years at Northrop and I have continually been impressed with his focus on project success and skills in systems engineering, modeling and architecture development. His rapid advancement to Section Manager for Systems Engineering demonstrates that Doug is eager to accept tough challenges and make the most of his considerable talents."

Kerry Fisherkeller

Systems Engineer & Architect

"Douglas Orellana was my lead and manager at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems. I learned quickly that Douglas was an MBSE expert and had vast knowledge in systems engineering, more specifically in applying model-based methodologies to real-world, complex systems. Always with an avid understanding for new technologies, he sought to mentor and share his ideas. Douglas breaks down barriers, communicates effectively, and brings solutions to address gaps. It was a pleasure to have him as an advocate and colleague. He would be a great asset to any team."

Bryce Flor

Systems Engineer & Architect

"Dr. Orellana is one of the most innovative people I had the pleasure of working with during my time on his team. He is not afraid to take measured risk, which often led to breakthrough innovations in Digital Engineering. As a leader, Dr. Orellana is a champion of leveraging diversity and unleashing the creative genius of people often underestimated. Because of his leadership, he built a top-rate Digital Engineering team from scratch. He allows his team the freedom to explore but keeps them on track to deliver. His team is a phenomenal collaborative team that enables all skill levels to learn, grow, investigate, and achieve."

John Coleman III, Ph.D., PMP

Executive Solution Architect