A distinguished civilian leader with over three decades of experience, Ms. Kris O. Acosta directs critical space integration and engineering efforts for the U.S. Space Force. She holds the dual roles of Civilian Deputy to the Senior Advisor to the Service Acquisition Executive, with oversight of the Space Systems Integration Office, and Space Deputy for Architecture and Systems Engineering for the Department of the Air Force's Command, Control, Communications & Battle Management Portfolio Acquisition Executive.
In her leadership capacity, Ms. Acosta has been instrumental in architecting the future of space superiority. She established and implemented System of Systems engineering processes that have directly enhanced the delivery of integrated warfighting capabilities. By strategically aligning the mission engineering, integration requirements, and technology roadmaps of the SSIO and DAF C3BM, she has unified efforts to advance space control for the joint warfighter.
Ms. Acosta’s career is defined by a consistent focus on streamlining complex engineering and programmatic processes to accelerate the delivery of novel capabilities. Her multi-disciplinary expertise spans reusable launch vehicles, autonomous systems, military aircraft, directed energy, and national space systems. Prior to her current role, she was the General Manager at Vector Launch, developing liquid-fueled target vehicles. Her tenure at Northrop Grumman included key positions such as Manager of Systems Engineering and Program Manager. She began her career at Boeing, where she dedicated over eight years as a thermal protection systems engineer on high-profile programs like the Space Shuttle Orbiter and the X-37 reusable spaceplane.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science, Materials Science and Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles
2012 Master of Advanced Studies, Architecture-based Enterprise Systems Engineering (AESE), University of California at San Diego, La Jolla
CAREER CHRONOLOGY
1. March 1995–August 1999, Member of Technical Staff III, Boeing
2. March 1999–August 2001, Materials & Processes Engineering Manager, Boeing
3. August 2001–August 2003, Project Management Specialist 5, Phantom Works, Boeing
4. August 2003–July 2012, Systems Engineer IV, Integrated Systems, Northrop Grumman
5. July 2012–August 2015, Systems Engineering Manager, Aerospace Systems, NGC
6. August 2015–January 2019, Global Supply Chain Program Manager Aerospace Systems, NGC
7. February 2019–April 2021, Program Manager, Space Systems Engineering and Integration, Space Systems, NGC
8. May 2021–November 2021, Director of Programs and Operations, Vector Launch, LLC
9. November 2021–August 2022, General Manager, Vector Launch, LLC
10. August 2022–November 2022, Supervisory General Engineer, Space Systems Command, Space Force, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.
11. November 2022–present, Director of System of Systems Engineering, Space Systems Command, Space Force, Los Angeles AFB, Calif.
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
April 2004 Patent No. 6,716,407 granted (under name Kris S. Oka) for Monazite-Based Blanket Coatings for TPS
August 2004 Patent No. 6,770,584 granted (under name Kris S. Oka) for Hybrid Aerogel Rigid Ceramic Fiber Insulation and Method of Producing Same
PUBLICATIONS
Co-author and presenter, “Ceramic Composites for Thermal Protection Systems”, 5th Japan International SAMPE Symposium, 1997
Author and presenter, “Shuttle TPS Upgrades: The Boeing Approach”, NASA Shuttle Upgrades Conference, 1998
Author, “Thermal Protection Systems for Reusable Launch Vehicles”, Air Force Research Laboratory’s 3rd Thermal Protection Materials Workshop, 2000
Co-author and presenter, “The Evolution of Flexible Insulation as Thermal Protection Systems for Reusable Launch Vehicles: AFRSI to CRI”, National Space and Missile Materials Symposium, 2001
Co-author and presenter, “Rain Durability Assessment of TPS”, NASA Ames Research Center Thermal Protection Materials Workshop, 2001
Author and presenter, “Thermal Protection Systems for Reusable Launch Vehicles”, 1st Annual Symposium on Future Reusable Launch Vehicles, 2002
Co-author and presenter, “Thermal Protection Systems for Reusable Launch Vehicles”, National Space and Missile Materials Symposium, 2002
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS, ASSOCIATIONS & AWARDS
President, Women in Defense Greater Los Angeles Chapter
2025 Service to the Flag Government Award, WID GLAC
Senator, Society of Women Engineers
Prism Award - SWE
NGC Vice President Mentoring Program Participant
NGC Experienced Manager Mentor
NCG Women’s International Network
Southern California Aerospace Professional Member
International Council on Systems Engineering Member
(Current as of April 2026)