Amy Sunshine Smith-Carroll, PhD.
Director, Surface Warfare
Dr. Smith-Carroll is the Director for Surface Warfare supporting the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Platforms and Weapons Portfolio Management (PWPM) in the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD(A&S)). In this role, she is the Department of Defense’s primary advisor providing guidance and advocacy for the U.S. development and acquisition of surface warfare capabilities and systems.
Dr. Smith-Carroll was appointed to the Senior Executive Service in April of 2022. She previously served as the Novel Modernization lead and Director for Unmanned Aviation and Strike Weapons programs for the Assistant Secretary of the Navy for Research, Development, and Acquisition (ASN(RDA)). In this position, she was responsible for coordination and oversight of the development and acquisition plans supporting an annual budget of $4B across Navy and U.S. Marine Corps efforts.
Dr. Smith-Carroll served as the Science and Technology Advisor to the three-star Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Warfare Systems (OPNAV N9). In this role, she was responsible for the coordination and oversight of the Science and Technology, Research and Development plan supporting a $9B annual integrated budget applied to surface warfare and the integration across all warfare areas. Additionally, Dr. Smith-Carroll was charged with the policy and process development of the Department of Navy’s Accelerated Acquisition for the rapid development, demonstration, and fielding of warfighter capability. She also led the stand-up of the Navy’s Unmanned Systems Directorate.
In December 2012, Dr. Smith-Carroll was selected to be the first Office of Naval Research Global (ONRG) Science Advisor to the two-star Commander of Navy Air and Missile Defense Command (NAMDC). Charged with development of the Command’s Science and Technology Strategic Plan, she successfully identified and employed technologies to current deployed destroyers (DDGs).
Dr. Smith-Carroll was selected as the founding head of the Sensors and Materials Branch in October 2005, which consists of 50 multi-disciplinary research scientists and engineers focused on sensor characterization and analysis, quantum processing, nanotechnology, and pulse power. She was accountable for the establishment of organizational structure, operating precepts, strategic planning and cooperative engagement required to develop future warfighting capability.
Dr. Smith-Carroll holds a Doctorate of Philosophy from Old Dominion University in Engineering Management, a master’s degree in mathematics from Mississippi State University,and a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from Mississippi University for Women. She is also a graduate of the Federal Executive Institute Leadership in a Democratic Society program.
Dr. Smith-Carroll has received the Navy Meritorious Civilian Service Award, ASN(RDA) Civilian of the Month, NSWC Indian Head Excellence Award, and numerous Letters of Commendation. She is also a member of the Acquisition Professional Community and DAWIA certified SPRDE Level III.