Dr. Jennifer Clift

Director of the Integrated Defense Systems Division

Dr. Jennifer Clift is the Director of the Integrated Defense Systems Division at GTS, where she leads the strategic growth of advanced defense capabilities and emerging technologies. In this role, she drives technical rigor across a broad portfolio, advancing research and development efforts that deliver long-term mission impact.

A proven senior technical leader with decades of experience across the Department of Defense, she has directed complex technical portfolios in weapons systems research, development, test, and evaluation; asymmetric warfare, electromagnetics and sensor systems; combat systems, mission assurance, and threat engineering.

Dr. Clift retired from the Department of the Navy as a Senior Scientific Technical Manager. In her final assignment as Department Head and Principal Technical Manager for the Weapons Control and Integration Department at Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division (NSWCDD), she led a workforce of nearly 800 technical professionals advancing autonomous and asymmetric systems, counter-UAS technologies, systems control capabilities, threat engineering and weapons effectiveness analysis. Prior to that, she served as NSWCDD’s Chief Technology Officer, where she guided strategic technology investments, partnerships, and innovation initiatives across the Center.

In addition to her leadership at GTS, Dr. Clift serves as adjunct faculty at George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Science, teaching graduate courses and advising doctoral candidates in engineering management.

Dr. Clift earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Mary Washington, where she was inducted into the College of Business Hall of Fame and served as the 2023 Commencement Speaker. She also holds a master’s in national security and strategic studies (with a concentration in insurgency and terrorism) and a diploma in joint professional military education from the U.S. Naval War College.  She has a second master’s in engineering systems from the Naval Postgraduate School and earned her Doctor of Engineering from George Washington University.

Her professional credentials include Defense Acquisition Workforce Improvement Act certifications in Engineering and Program Management. She is a recipient of the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award.