Charles W. Whetsel, Director for Engineering and Science

Charles Whetsel is Director for Engineering and Science at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. Before becoming director, Whetsel served as manager of the Systems Engineering Division. Previously he was the manager of the Program Formulation Office in the Mars Exploration Directorate at JPL.

Since joining JPL in 1989, Whetsel has held numerous positions including Chief Engineer of the Mars Exploration Program, Project Systems Engineer of the Mars Science Laboratory/Curiosity Rover mission, and manager of the Flight Systems Engineering, Integration and Test Section.

Whetsel holds bachelor’s degrees in Aeronautics and Astronautics as well as Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as a master’s degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from Stanford University. He is a three-time recipient of the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal and has also received numerous NASA group achievement awards.