Naseem Saiyed

Deputy Director, Strategy, Portfolio Analysis & Management Office at NASA

Naseem Saiyed is responsible for developing and updating the strategic direction for ARMD’s research portfolio. He leads PAMO’s work to support ARMD’s successful implementation of technical challenges that lead to solutions needed by the aviation community.

Prior to joining ARMD, Saiyed served as NASA’s Space Communication and Navigation (SCaN) program integration manager, primarily responsible for advising the deputy associate administrator on strategic and tactical programmatic course of action and identification of corrective issues during execution of the program. He was accountable for execution of the program planning and control function, and for the development and management of plans and processes to effectively manage the SCaN program.

Previously, Saiyed was deputy director for NASA’s strategic investments division, leading strategic analyses and independent assessments of NASA programs and projects involving aeronautics, human space flight, science missions, and NASA infrastructure. To enable affordable exploration of space, he originated and directed the refinement of an alternative path for programmatic impacts (technical, schedule, cost and budget). NASA later proposed this path to the Office of Management and Budget, and began implementation after further studies and refinements.

Saiyed has written four issue papers on Optical Communications, the Tracking Data and Relay Satellite System reimbursement effort, the Integrated Lunar Network, and the NASA Integrated Service Network.

From 2004-2007, Saiyed was the manager of NASA’s Next Generation Launch Technology program. His management accomplished such deliveries as the Auxiliary Propulsion project, the Integrated Powerhead Demo (in partnership with United States Air Force), the Propulsion and Technology project, the university research project, Vehicle Systems Research and Technology project; the Advanced Video Guidance System (in partnership with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency), and the Demonstration of Autonomous Rendezvous Technology project.

From 2002-2004, Saiyed served as a program executive, delivering science and astronaut utilization flight hardware to the International Space Station and providing strategic, tactical, and operational support to all NASA sponsored and non-NASA sponsored payloads including five international partners’ research payloads.

From 1999-2002, Saiyed was the program implementation manager for developing advanced rocket technologies and engines, aircraft engines, and satellites. He developed detailed plans and strategy for developing different air vehicles to keep the U.S. industry competitive, while partnering with U.S. industry, other U.S. government agencies, and academia to develop strategy and implementation plans.

Saiyed started his NASA career as the lead technologist at NASA’s Glenn Research Center. He led the development of aircraft noise reduction technology now offered on both long-range and regional commercial airliners. He also led the development of technologies for storing and transferring space-based cryogens. He authored or co-authored 17 technical papers, and won two NASA trophies for Turning Goals into Reality, as well as a NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal.

Saiyed received a master’s degree in fluid and thermal sciences from Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, and a bachelor’s of science degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Portland.

Timeline

  • Deputy Director, Strategy, Portfolio Analysis & Management Office

    Current role

View in org chart