MARINE CORPS BASE QUANTICO, Va. -- In June, Program Executive Officer Land Systems engineer Alexander Solomon received the coveted Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research Development and Acquisition Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers of Year Award for 2021 in recognition of his contributions to the Marine Corps’ Ground Based Air Defense program.
But, Solomon’s path to success wasn’t forged overnight; it began years ago when he first served as an intern with Marine Corps Systems Command.
If you give a boy a cookie
In fifth grade, Solomon -- the son of an entrepreneur and graphic designer -- made the journey south to sunny West Palm Beach, Florida, from New York. His parents wanted a warmer climate and a place where the education system better aligned with their children’s’ interests.
"My father was an entrepreneur and owned a cookie store," said Solomon. "I didn't know how great I had it as a kid with daily desserts, cookies and brownies. My mother is a graphic artist, a one-woman show. My father gave up the cookie business when we moved and became an accountant and credit manager."
Solomon eventually attended a magnet and International Baccalaureate high school which focused on math, science, and engineering. While there, he discovered an affinity for math and a fascination with air and space – a discovery which ultimately led him to earn a bachelor's degree in aerospace engineering from the University of Florida.
"In college, I had to think about how I could combine my passion and interest with what I'm good at, math," Solomon recalled. "That's why I became an aerospace engineer. I could see myself in the field. I'm a big problem-solver, even in my personal life. So being an engineer was a natural fit."
Interning with a purpose
Solomon joined Marine Corps Systems Command in January 2014 as an intern through the Naval Acquisition Developmental Program, also known as NADP. This multi-year program aims to bring on the best and brightest young technical minds straight out of college and set them on a path to becoming the experienced engineers the Marine Corps needs in the future.
"I didn't really know what to expect when applying to the Marine Corps," explained Solomon. "You don't think 'Marine Corps' when you think ‘aerospace engineer.’ But MCSC explained what I'd be doing, and I thought it was opportunity to do something a little different. So, I came and haven't left. It's been fun."
As he learned the ins and outs of the Corps, he saw the critical role MCSC and its supported Program Executive Offices play in equipping Marines. Solomon worked with the Modeling and Simulation Division, known today as Deputy to the Commander Systems Engineering and Acquisition Logistics, and completed rotations outside the command, including at PEO Land Systems.
Today, Solomon credits his success to the leadership of two individuals: Mike O’Neal and Luis Velazquez.
“Working with those two every day definitely pulled me into the Marine Corps’ mission,” said Solomon. “Luis is a retired Marine who is full of passion. He was super giddy to share his knowledge and passion about what is going on and what the Marine Corps does.”
Solomon explained how participating in NADP was a great experience that set him up to smoothly transition into a program after his internship ended. As he quickly learned, interning at MCSC isn’t about grabbing coffee and filing paperwork – it's about actively supporting Marines.
From contributing to various modeling & simulations virtual systems and command and control devices for Large Scale Exercise 2014, to introducing an assessment process methodology for the Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar program office, Solomon continued to grow as an engineer.
“Alex's gift is that he is an engineer who can think like a lead systems integrator and can talk the language of a resource advocate, all the while maintaining a rational mature mentality when others would let their emotions get the best of them,” said Luis Velazquez, Future Capabilities & Innovation Branch Head for MCSC. “He demonstrated early on his tremendous maturity, capacity, and capability to achieve success well ahead of his peers.”
Armed with knowledge and expertise to support the Marine Corps, he joined PEO LS as a permanent hire upon completion of the program.
“The program definitely helped me in the long run especially by being here for it. I was lucky to be placed with a really great team,” said Solomon. “It was good to have that large program experience. I wanted to be on a big program, working on cutting-edge stuff. Being able to directly transition into a program helped with that.”
Supporting the warfighter
Almost a decade later, Solomon is the assistant product manager for engineering for future weapon systems within the program manager GBAD at PEO LS, leading a team of his own. Before he reached this level, though, he worked his way up PM GBAD.
Solomon shared how his first role was dual-hatted - a mechanical engineer for G/ATOR and a systems engineer for GBAD. However, the two programs split as time progressed as programs designed to counter unmanned aerial systems became more critical to mission success.
"They threw me at the rapid acquisition programs within GBAD to stand up counter unmanned aircraft systems. I was the lead engineer for those systems," said Solomon. "As the program grew, GBAD became its own program of record, which is the Marine Air Defense Integrated System, an ACAT II program and I went with them."
MADIS will defend Marine Corps maneuver forces and critical sites by providing the commander with the short-range ability to detect, track, identify and defeat unmanned aerial systems, and manned rotary wing and fixed-wing threats.
Promoted in July 2021, Solomon now manages the engineering teams for most of the mobile air defense systems in PM GBAD. His job is to provide managerial oversight, guidance and help with decision-making when needed.
"I provide that top cover when it comes to speaking to leadership about the program," said Solomon. "I serve as a buffer to make sure questions at the leadership level are addressed, that they're comfortable with the strategies and the decision being made so we can continue down the road."
Awarding excellence
Solomon's leadership, expertise and out-of-the-box creativity to the MADIS program inspired his leadership to nominate him for the Dr. Delores M. Etter Top Scientists and Engineers of the Year Award. Established in 2006, the award recognizes excellence among the Department of the Navy's highest-performing scientists and engineers who have made significant contributions in their fields.
Notably, Solomon was one of seven awardees selected in the Individual Engineers category and the only Marine Corps honoree.
"I was honestly shocked," said Solomon. "It was a big surprise to learn that a few people went through the process to submit me for an award and that I was selected. It was a happy surprise. It's a good program that continuously works to recognize everyone. It felt good that they felt I deserved this level of award."
While the lead engineer for the MADIS program, he led the 30 mm remote weapon station design effort. His team found an alternate remote weapon station that was lighter, more mature and less expensive than the previous station. Because of his design and development efforts, the Marine Corps saved more than $361.9 million.
“I think the combination of Alex's leadership and engineering competence was just what PM GBAD needed,” said Francis Bonner, chief engineer for PM GBAD. “It was Alex who was able to identify risks well in advance so that the team could avoid them. It was Alex's analysis of the issues that resulted in the MADIS design of today. He was able to weigh the impact of changes so they could be prioritized and applied in an efficient manner. And Alex went big on some changes. That is how he accomplished the $361.9 million cost avoidance while still delivering mobile and overwhelming fire power.”
Bonner cited Solomon’s expertise in engineering, tactical weaponry, ammunition, hardware, and software development as integral to the successful development of the MADIS.
Looking to the future
Solomon recently accepted a position with the Navy’s Strategic Systems Organization to stand up their C-UAS Program to defend the Navy’s assets against C-UAS threats.
Solomon explained that he has long-term professional goals but doesn’t know where he’ll be in ten years. He isn’t one to put all his eggs in one basket, but he knows he will continue to follow his interests, learning and going where he can make an impact.
Bonner explained how Solomon is the “most diversified and capable engineer” he’s worked with in his 35 years of combat system development with both the Marine Corps and the Navy.
“Don't get me wrong, if you don't pull your own weight, or don't make the Marines the reason for what we do, he can crush your soul, but he doesn't lead that way,” said Bonner. “Alex is truly a great engineer. His rise has just started, and he will accomplish so much more before he is done.”
Solomon’s dedication to the mission has impressed those who’ve worked alongside him.
“There is no doubt that Alex will be a senior executive leader in our Department of Defense in the future,” said Velazquez. “He has all the hallmarks and sound foundation to lead and set the example for others to follow.”