Biography
J. Robert Wirthlin, PhD, is a product development technical executive in defense, aerospace and automotive. Most recently, he was the Senior Technical Leader for Systems Engineering and Optimization in the Vehicle Hardware Engineering Systems Group at Ford Motor Company. His responsibilities included being the Global Systems Engineering POV (Point of View) owner for Ford. With overall responsibility for all aspects of plans, processes, training, and strategy regarding Systems Engineering application in Ford’s product development, his multidisciplinary team of experts across mechanical, electrical, and software engineering are dedicated to 21st Century Systems Engineering processes, methodology, tools, and practices, including Model Based Systems Engineering, simulation and analysis, and automotive product development.
Previously, Dr. Wirthlin worked for General Motors in GM’s systems engineering efforts, including managing their Requirements Modeling and Product Line Engineering. Earlier, Dr. Wirthlin served 21 years as an officer in the United States Air Force with leadership assignments in systems engineering and program management. He also was an Assistant Professor at the Air Force Institute of Technology teaching Systems Engineering and Research and Development Management.
Within INCOSE, he has contributed through both technical leadership and organizational governance in many capacities such as Michigan Chapter President, Corporate Advisory Board representative for both Ford and GM, and other service roles helping shape numerous events such as recent International Symposia as the Technical Planning Committee Chair and Deputy Chair, and leadership roles at several Great Lakes Regional Conferences. He continues to support the advancement of INCOSE’s mission across chapters and sectors.
Dr. Wirthlin’s PhD and MS are from MIT in Engineering Systems, and Engineering and Management, respectively. He holds a BS in Engineering Sciences from the United States Air Force Academy. He is an active member of INCOSE (International Council on Systems Engineering), SAE, a senior member of AIAA, and is a Certified Systems Engineering Professional. He has numerous publications to his credit.
Vision
I am honored to share my vision for INCOSE as I seek to serve as Director-at-Large. With more than 25 years of leadership across the defense, aerospace, and automotive sectors—including two decades in the U.S. Air Force and systems engineering roles at General Motors and Ford—I have been privileged to lead organizations through model-based transformation, digital engineering modernization, and systems integration at scale. These cross-sector experiences have reaffirmed for me the critical importance of systems thinking to innovation, performance, resilience, and ultimately, success. At Ford and GM, I led enterprise MBSE and PLM transformation efforts, driving systems standardization, reuse, and innovation across product lines. Within the US Air Force, I managed multibillion-dollar defense programs and also taught 500+ systems engineering leaders in the military.
My INCOSE experiences, both at the chapter and international level, have prepared me well to understand concerns as a member, local leader, and international contributor. Looking to the future, my vision aligns with INCOSE Vision 2030 and emphasizes thoughtful evolution, global influence, and inclusive growth. If elected, my top priorities will include:
Enabling the success of INCOSE’s new board structure – Supporting a smooth and effective transition that empowers volunteers, enhances coordination, and clarifies governance across functional areas.
Broadening INCOSE’s value across emerging and adjacent domains – Championing engagement with new sectors such as biomedical, energy, and information systems while forging stronger ties with allied disciplines including software, project management, and quality engineering.
Balancing innovation with foundational excellence – Ensuring our guidance embraces the latest developments in MBSE, digital threads, agile SE, and AI, while preserving the enduring rigor, lifecycle focus, and traceability that define our field.
INCOSE has a unique opportunity to position itself as the global authority on systems engineering. I will advocate for increased clarity around the return on investment (ROI) of systems engineering—providing tools and narratives that resonate with decision-makers—and I will strengthen INCOSE’s relevance to business executives by highlighting its contributions to strategic outcomes. By connecting thought leadership with practical value, we can expand INCOSE’s impact and elevate the profession globally.
In summary, I envision an INCOSE that is inclusive, visionary, and indispensable—advancing systems engineering across boundaries, fostering collaboration, and leading the transformation of complex problem-solving in the decades to come. I am deeply committed to this mission and respectfully ask for your support in electing me as Director-at-Large. I welcome the opportunity to help guide our future and serve our community.
Dr. J. Robert Wirthlin
INCOSE Certified Systems Engineering Professional | PhD, MIT
INCOSE Michigan Past-President | Former CAB Representative – Ford & GM
linkedin.com/in/jrobertwirthlin