Dr. Jarred Conley

Dr. Jarred M. Conley is the Principal Director for Maritime within the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), where he leads efforts to accelerate the adoption of commercial and dual-use technology across Autonomous Warfare, Kill Web, and 10x portfolios in support of Joint Force priorities. He works directly with Combatant Commands, Military Services, and industry to identify and transition operationally relevant capabilities to the warfighter.

Dr. Conley has more than 15 years of experience in defense acquisition, systems engineering, and operational capability delivery across the Office of the Secretary of War, Department of the Navy, OPNAV, and Program Executive Office assignments. He is widely recognized as a leader in maritime autonomy and unmanned systems, helping grow the Navy's small unmanned surface vessel portfolio from early experimentation into a multibillion-dollar capability area.

Prior to DIU, Dr. Conley served as Principal Assistant Program Manager for Anti-Submarine Warfare, Surface Warfare, and Next Generation Mission Packages within PEO Unmanned and Small Combatants. He led the rapid development, experimentation, and deployment of autonomous maritime capabilities supporting U.S. Fleet Forces, Pacific Fleet, SOCOM, and international partners. His efforts advanced operational employment of unmanned surface vessels for maritime domain awareness, contested logistics, force protection, and kinetic effects. He also established and led the Navy's Pathmaker Integrated Product Team, delivering critical operational capabilities from requirement identification to fielding in as little as 60 days.

Earlier in his career, Dr. Conley served in the Mine Warfare Program Office and at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Panama City Division, supporting the development and fielding of advanced mine countermeasures, mission modules, and expeditionary maritime systems. He played key roles in the Airborne Mine Neutralization System, Barracuda program, Surface-to-Surface Mission Module, and other Littoral Combat Ship mission package initiatives.

Dr. Conley holds a Doctoral Degree from George Washington University, a Master of Science in Systems Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Tuskegee University, and an Associate of Technology in Professional Pilot from Kansas State University. He is DAWIA Level III certified in Program Management and Systems Engineering and is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps.