ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. –New Mexico Tech graduate Dr. Brett C. Bedeaux will now fill the position of scientific and professional, or ST, position engaged in research and development in the engineering sciences field at Kirtland Air Force Base.

As an Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center civilian, Dr. Brett C. Bedeaux was selected as the senior ST advisor for advanced nuclear hardness and survivability at the center’s headquarters at Kirtland in August.

Bedeaux (pictured)is now responsible for ensuring nuclear weapons, along with their delivery and support systems, meet U.S. Air Force hardness and survivability requirements.  In addition, he provides senior-level technical expertise across the Air Force nuclear mission, interfacing with senior leadership within the Department of Defense and Air Force.

A native of Albuquerque, Bedeaux has a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque. He earned his master’s in engineering mechanics with an emphasis on explosives. He earned his doctorate in materials engineering from the New Mexico Tech in 2009.

Prior to his current assignment, Bedeaux was the center’s lead project officer for Department of Defense and Department of Energy interagency activities on the development, sustainment, operational effectiveness, and overall management of nuclear warheads for intercontinental ballistic missiles.

Before becoming an Air Force civilian in 2011, Bedeaux worked more than 30 years at Sandia National Laboratories, where he participated in underground nuclear tests, performed hostile environment qualification on nuclear weapon components, and performed intelligence evaluations of foreign nuclear weapons.

His past awards and honors include the National Nuclear Security Administration’s Defense Program Awards for Excellence and the United Kingdom’s Chief Scientist Award for Joint Technology Demonstrator.

Bedeaux has published several peer-reviewed research papers, including one in the Journal of Applied Physics on “Velocity measurements of inert porous materials driven by infrared-laser-ablated thin-film titanium” (March 2010).

The Senior Executive Service was established by Title IV of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978 and its members are charged with leading the government and “producing results for the American people,” according to OPM. These leaders operate and oversee nearly every government activity in about 75 federal agencies. The service covers managerial, supervisory and policy positions classified above GS-15.

Within the Senior Executive Service, ST positions are unique non-executive positions engaged in research and development in the physical, biological, medical, or engineering sciences, or a closely related field, that do not involve SES executive or management responsibilities.

Candidates for these positions must have at least three years of specialized experience at grade GS-15 (or equivalent) that demonstrates significant contributions, stature and professional reputation, according to Air Force instructions.

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