Thomas Smelker is Vice President and General Manager of Mercury’s Microsystems business unit, where he is responsible for the management of multi-disciplined teams developing advanced solutions in semiconductor technologies at the system and subsystem levels for applications in embedded defense computing and systems security technologies.

Prior to joining Mercury, Mr. Smelker spent nearly 20 years as a Senior Engineering Fellow and Systems Design Program Manager at Raytheon Missile Systems. At Raytheon, Mr. Smelker served as a leading expert developing strategic cyber and security technologies, including advanced secure system on chip (SoC) processors, security co-processors, multi-chip modules, and security firmware and software. During his time at Raytheon, Mr. Smelker was also a leading liaison with OSD, Air Force, Army, Navy, and DA customers, as well as with universities, government laboratories, and other partners. Mr. Smelker began his career as an Undergraduate and Graduate Fellow at the U.S. Army Research Laboratory.

Mr. Smelker earned a master’s degree in mechanical engineering (non-linear controls) from New Mexico State University and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering with a minor in mathematics, also from New Mexico State University.