James has nearly 20 years of experience as a systems engineer, human factors engineer, and professor in the United States Air Force. His assignments include support of multiple ACAT ID programs including the F-22 Raptor and B61-12 nuclear bomb. Most recently he was the Deputy Chief Engineer for the Long Range Standoff nuclear cruise missile program office where he let a team of 125 engineers and developed the program’s digital transformation strategy focused on creating a digital engineering environment for all program acquisition activities.  He currently oversees the Systems Engineering Program at the United States Air Force Academy, delivering a curriculum that sets the standard for undergraduate systems engineering education. James holds a PhD in Human Factors from George Mason University and a MEng in Systems Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology.