Bradley Williams (Brad) currently serves at NASA Headquarters as the Associate Director for Flight Programs (Acting) in the Heliophysics Division of the Science Mission Directorate where he oversees more than a dozen missions in operations and approximately another dozen missions in different stages of development.
Before stepping into the Associate Director for Flight role, Mr. Williams was a Program Executive in the Heliophysics Division where his assignments included IMAP, a Solar Terrestrial Probe to investigate the acceleration of energetic particles and interaction of the solar wind with the interstellar medium, TRACERS, a SMEX mission to understand the relationship of the magnetosphere and Cusp, HelioSwarm, a MIDEX mission studying the nature of space plasma turbulence, the Solar Cruiser solar sail technology project, and Senior Program Executive of  the NASA Space Weather Program.
Originally a project manager and systems engineer at the University of Arizona, he worked with faculty and research teams to identify proposal opportunities and develop spaceflight proposals in response to NASA solicitations, going on to lead several of those efforts in post-award phases. Mr. Williams was a vital member of the OSIRIS-REx Camera Suite (OCAMS) team, contributing to both development and launch successes as a member of the systems integration and test team, management team, and later as the ATLO lead and primary interface to the spacecraft team. After the OSIRIS-REx launch, Mr. Williams served as the Deputy Payload Manager on GUSTO, the first of its kind, balloon-borne observatory selected as a Mission of Opportunity out of Astrophysics which launched in 2023 setting a record for the longest long-duration balloon flight. Immediately prior to joining NASA, he was the Director of Civil Space Programs at Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems (now Terran Orbital Corporation, LLAP) where he was brought in to lead the spacecraft development for several NASA technology demonstration missions and assist with the growth of the science mission portfolio.
Within the aerospace community, Mr. Williams has served in several different roles for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) including member of the Tucson and Orange County Leadership Councils, Public Policy Chair, Young Professional Communications Committee Chair, Deputy Director of Region VI, and member of the Systems Engineering Technical Committee. Outside of the office, Mr. Williams is involved in community engagement and non-profits strengthening the next generation of leaders and expanding philanthropic networks. He is also a Fellow at the Arizona Center for Civic Leadership.
Mr. Williams holds a Bachelors and Masters degree in Mechanical and Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona. He has been recognized for his achievements being named a Via Satellite Rising Star in 2024 and has been awarded the Robert H. Goddard Engineering Team Award, NASA Group Achievement Award, The University of Arizona College of Science Star Award, and asteroid (129969) Bradwilliams named in his honor.