Jesse Hurdus is a technical and passionate advisor, leader, and subject-matter-expert (SME) with proven success as an industry veteran in advanced field robotics, autonomous systems, and uncrewed vehicles.  His experience leading multi-disciplinary teams developing creative engineering solutions to complex robotic applications has given Jesse a deep understanding of this dynamic and disruptive industry. Specializing in bridging the gap from advanced research and development (R&D) to real-world ‘hard’ problems, Jesse has a proven track record driving strategic initiatives and programs through the development, integration, and use of Robotic and Autonomous Systems (RAS), fostering collaboration between government, military, industry, and academia.

Key Accomplishments:

• Spearheaded creation of a RAS Roadmap and Strategy spanning multiple 6.2 and 6.3 DoD Science and Technology (S&T) funding lines, stakeholders, and performers in support of the Defense Threat Reduction Agency’s (DTRA) R&D Directorate, Counter-WMD Technologies Department
• Received a United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Directorate – Certificate of Appreciation for exceptional dedication, commitment, and support provided during operation Dragon Spear at Fort Story, VA, in 2023.
• Co-author of the Automated Vehicle Safety Consortium™ (AVSC), an industry program of SAE Industry Technologies Consortia (SAE ITC®), “Best Practice for Qualifying Automated Driving System (ADS) Behavioral Competency” policy recommendation.
• Oversaw and cultivated the growth and development of the Defense Division at TORC Robotics in Blacksburg, VA, from a handful of engineers in 2008 to eventual corporate sale in 2019. Established robust partnerships with industry teammates and key government stakeholders to build advanced prototypes of over 20 different bespoke robotic ground and air systems across multiple applications and end-users.
• Led or advised technical teams participating in seminal, high-profile robotics competitions spanning industry and academia including the DARPA Urban Challenge (2007, 3^rd overall with Team Victor Tango, Unmanned Systems Lab), RoboCup (2008, Team DARwIn, RoMeLa), NFB Blind Driver Challenge (2011), DARPA Robotics Challenge (2015, Team ViGIR), JIEDDO Counter-IED Robotics Challenge (2015), and DARPA SubTerranean Challenge (2021).

Professional Background:

• Extensive experience providing expert guidance to government agencies such as DTRA, MCWL, USSOCOM, US Army DEVCOM, and others on developing uncrewed systems, enabling DoD organizations to better select, manage, and evaluate RAS-focused RDT&E programs and ultimately transition critically needed capabilities to the warfighter.
• Significant history working directly with warfighters to train, evaluate, and demonstrate the viability and value for integration of RAS, focusing on combining innovative technology with tactics, techniques, and procedures (TTPs) to solve real problems.
• Chief engineer, program manager, and senior advisor at TORC Robotics where he was responsible for advancing and aligning core, reusable autonomous technologies between many different projects and applications while simultaneously exploring and identifying new areas for market growth and technology-driven innovation.
• B.S. (Summa Cum Laude) and M.S. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Computer Science from Virginia Tech with a focus in behavioral control systems for mobile robots.
• Born and grew up overseas in Singapore, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Morocco, and Bolivia as the son of a USAID Diplomat.  When he is not developing robots, he can be found racing aerial drones, exploring the world of electric micro-mobility systems, leveraging 3D printing for terrain visualization, and being a husband and father of 2.