Dr. Mark W. Hilburger is a Senior Research Engineer in the Structural Mechanics and Concepts Branch at NASA Langley Research Center in Hampton VA.  He is currently the Principle Investigator and Manager of the NESC Shell Buckling Design Factor Project to develop and validate new shell buckling design, analysis and testing methods for buckling-critical launch vehicle structures.  His responsibilities include defining and managing activities in six technical work areas and the integration of analysis, design, manufacturing and test teams to develop an efficient, multi-diciplinary approach to optimal structural design, verification, validation, and implementation.  These technical work areas are worked primarily by a 24-person team across three NASA centers, industry, and academia.  He also defines and coordinates Space Act Agreements (SAAs) with Boeing, Northorop-Grumman, and the German Research Laboratory (DLR) and activities under the Space Transportation MOU beteen NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Mark specializes in High-fidelity Analysis and Design Technology Development and Experimental Methods Development for Buckling-Critical Structures.  He has 10 national and international invited talks including 2 international keynote lectures, 6 conference special sessions, and a presentation to the NATO Research and Technology Organization.  He has also contributed chapters to 3 text books, 16 formal publications, 34 conference papers, and 18 NASA publications.  He has been presented with numerous awards and including the NASA Exceptional Engineering Achievement Medal, May 11, 2010; the NASA Engineering and Safety Center Engineering Excellence Award, Oct. 2009; selected as of the nations top 100 young engineers and scientist by the National Academy of Engineering, Sept. 2009; and the NASA Silver Snoopy Award, (Astronauts’ Personal Achievement Award), Novmber 2006.

He received his Ph.D. and M.S.E. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, MI in 1998 and 1995, respectively, and his B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ in 1993. Mark is a Senior Member of AIAA, and serves on the NESC Structures TDT.