AUVSI's Unmanned Systems 2016

Jeff Ratcliffe
Chief Technical Officer/Engineering Services Business Development
Northwest UAV


With over a decade of experience in engineering management, executive leadership and strategic product development, Northwest UAV Chief Technical Officer Jeff Ratcliffe has developed into one of today’s leading unmanned aircraft systems experts. Starting in the U.S. Navy’s Nuclear Submarine service, Ratcliffe’s experience spans all aspects of engineering – from high tech manufacturing and testing to Unmanned Systems design and development, to managing and developing teams of engineers. This diverse engineering background has allowed Ratcliffe to develop a thorough understanding of the workings of unmanned aircraft systems, with his most recent work at Northwest UAV focused on effective and efficient propulsion solutions, including work on a PEM Fuel Cell System. Since 2012, Ratcliffe has helped Northwest UAV establish and grow its engineering department, develop several major propulsion systems projects, establish AS9100 certification, and discover industry opportunities that NWUAV is addressing with solid technical solutions. Ratcliffe served as the Vice President and President of the AUVSI Cascade Chapter and now serves as President Emeritus, and as a member of the AUVSI Board of Directors. Ratcliffe has also been on the SAE E-39 subcommittee on unmanned aircraft propulsion. When he isn’t talking all things propulsion and unmanned systems, either in the office or at events, Ratcliffe enjoys spending time with his family, hiking Oregon trails with his kids, and exploring museums and historical areas. And you’ll quickly discover, he is always up for a good laugh, a game of chess, and maybe an old sea story!

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