Austin Denhardt

Experience

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  US Navy

  Feb 2010 - Jun 2021

  As a subject matter expert on unmanned aerial systems, I was directly responsible for employing, maintaining, and creatively leveraging advanced drone aircraft to meet the needs of military customers. As a Naval Air Crewman I was responsible for operating technical computer systems onboard naval aircraft in support of DoD missions across the globe.

  • Unmanned Aircraft Systems - Pilot / Operator / Maintainer / Instructor / SME

    Apr 2016 - Jun 2021

  • Naval Air Crewman - Computer Systems Operator / Training Instructor / Future Operations Manager

    Feb 2010 - Apr 2016
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  The Honor Foundation

  Jan 2021 - Apr 2021

  Alumni

  MBA-level leadership development program. THF Mission: "We exist to serve others with Honor, for life. So that their next mission is always clear and continues to impact the world."THF Core Values: Exemplify Trust | One is None | Laser Focus | Create Experiences | Be You | Fierce Empathy | Practice Artistry | Bold BehaviorSpecialties: Leadership Development | Executive Education | Team Building | Strategic Planning | Problem Solving | Operations | Communication | Innovation | Entrepreneurship | Risk Management Show less

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  Naval Postgraduate School

  Mar 2021 - Jun 2021

  Research And Development Intern

  As a DoD Skillbridge intern I assisted ongoing research, development, and engineering projects within the Center for Autonomous Vehicle Research (CAVR) and Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (MAE) department.

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  U.S. Navy Reserve

  Jun 2021 - now

  Naval Officer
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  Vermeer

  Aug 2022 - Apr 2025

  As a Technical Program Manager at Vermeer, I coordinated strategic initiatives developing drones, computer vision, GPS denied navigation, AI/ML, and augmented reality projects for a number of customers including:- Cutting edge Visual Positioning System, enabling unmanned aircraft to navigate in GPS denied environments using computer vision. - Multiple Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Tactical Funding Increase (TACFI) projects with DoD stakeholders. As the Chief Pilot at Vermeer, I was responsible for planning, executing, and reporting on all company UAS projects, integrations, flight testing, flight operations, and demonstrations.

  • Technical Program Manager

    Aug 2022 - Apr 2025

  • Chief Pilot

    Aug 2022 - Mar 2023