Technical Director
Melissa Reinard Steffen, Ph.D.
Dr. Melissa R. Steffen serves as the Technical Director at the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center (ATC) in the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), located at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland. She also serves as a technical subject matter expert representing the Army in the Department of Defense Reliance Test Resource Advisory Group. She is currently serving as the Army representative on the Department of Defense Science and Technology Reliance Panel.
Dr. Steffen began her Federal Career in 2008 where she served as a chemist at ATC. In this role, she was responsible for developing and validating methods for analyzing toxic fumes generated during the testing of warfighting systems. In 2013, she completed a developmental assignment as the Technical Assistant to the ATC Commander from which she transitioned into Strategic Planning. Focused on technology development strategy, she was appointed to positions wthin Department of Defense Reliance working groups that enabled her to negotiate for over $100M in technology funding for ATEC to develop new capabilities and meet future mission needs. In August 2019, she became ATC’s Director of Test Technology where she led a diverse team of scientists and engineers developing new capabilities, instrumentation, and methodologies to meet emerging Department of Defense test and evaluation requirements. In June 2022, she was appointed as the Technical Director for ATC. She retains her roles as an Army representative within the Department of Defense Reliance process.
Dr. Steffen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, in 2003, and a Doctor of Philosophy in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Delaware in 2008. She is a member of the Army Acquistion Corps, and is Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act Level III certified in Test and Evaluation, and Level I in Program Management. She is an Army Lean Six Sigma certified Black Belt. Her awards include the Meritorious Army Civilian Service Award, the Army Civilian Service Commendation Medal, the Federal Executive Board “Outstanding Professional” Silver Award, the Army Certificate of Achievement, and the ATC Commander’s Quality Award.
BACKGROUND
Dr. Melissa Steffen has been with the U.S. Army Aberdeen Test Center for over 14 years. Her experience and dedication provides distinguished service to our customers and warfighters.
Education:
Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry from Franklin & Marshall College.
Doctor of Philosophy in Analytical Chemistry from the University of Delaware
