Klein Named Florida Tech Trustee
Northrop Grumman Vice President
Joins University Governing Body
MELBOURNE, FLA. — Florida Tech has added a new member to its Board of Trustees.
Bob Klein, vice president of engineering for the Manned Aircraft Design Center of Excellence at Northrop Grumman Aerospace Systems, was recently approved for membership on the university’s governing body. Klein leads more than 2,600 engineers on the E-2 Advanced Hawkeye, Joint STARS, Advanced Laser Mine Detection System, Airborne Battle Management System and restricted programs. He also leads the Manned Aircraft Design Center of Excellence of 5,000 employees at the Melbourne site, overseeing the quadrupling of employees and tripling of office and test facilities.
“Northrop Grumman is an important collaborator with Florida Tech, and Bob is a highly valued and respected partner,” said Florida Tech President Dwayne McCay. “We appreciate his willingness to lend his expertise to this university.”
“I am honored to be joining the Florida Tech Board of Trustees,” Klein said. “Northrop Grumman has a long-standing relationship with Florida Tech, an institution that continues to earn accolades and recognition as one of the top universities in the country.”
From 2010-2016, Klein served as vice president of engineering in different Northrop Grumman divisions, overseeing over 30 programs in engineering for practically every manned and unmanned aircraft in the aerospace systems portfolio. From 2007-2009, he led the company’s Maritime and Tactical Systems business area. Previously, he served as vice president of engineering for the Airborne Early Warning and Electronic Warfare business area. As chief engineer of the F-14 program from 1990-1999, he evolved the aircraft from an air-to-air to a precision-strike fighter. Prior to this role, he was in a management development program, and served as the primary flight control system lead for the X-29 Forward Swept Wing demonstrator from development through flight test. Klein joined the company in 1974 under a Grumman Scholarship, where he worked five summer internships and his first assignment on the F-14 production line.
Klein said the company’s relationship with the university continues to pay dividends.
“Our partnership with Florida Tech includes an on-site Level Up master’s degree program, providing our employees with a unique opportunity to pursue advanced degrees in engineering, cybersecurity or business, including an MBA program,” Klein said. “We also sponsor an annual Engineering & Design Student Showcase, highlighting senior projects from hundreds of students. Northrop Grumman volunteers serve as mentors throughout the year and assist in judging at the popular event. It is exciting to see the high level of innovation and commitment from the students.
“In addition, we have a number of Florida Tech alumni who are part of our team in Melbourne and other locations,” Klein added. “We value our relationship with Florida Tech and I look forward to supporting the university as a member of the board.”
Klein received a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from Princeton University and a master of science in aerospace engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, graduating both with high honors and attending on five scholarships. He is the recipient of the Hammer Award from the Vice President of the United States, the Program Management Award from the Secretary of Defense, the Foreign Comparative Test Award from the Undersecretary of Defense for Acquisition, Technology and Logistics, and President’s Coin from the Aerospace Systems Sector President. He is an inductee into the Long Island Technology Hall of Fame and holds leadership positions in a number of professional and civic organizations.
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