Mr. Lee Mason

NASA Glenn Research Center

Cleveland, Ohio USA

Mr. Mason is a nationally recognized expert in space power and propulsion systems with 30+ years of professional experience at the NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland Ohio. He is currently serving in a Detail Position at NASA Headquarters with the Office of Chief Engineer as the Deputy Chief Engineer for the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD). In that position, Mr. Mason provides project-independent engineering assessment and technical authority for a broad technology portfolio supporting human exploration and space science. This assignment follows a 3-year term served as STMD’s Principal Technologist for Power, Energy and Thermal Systems where Mr. Mason integrated cross-agency mission needs and developed investment strategies for power and thermal management technologies.  Prior to his HQ assignments, Mr. Mason served as Chief of the Thermal Energy Conversion Branch in the Power Division at NASA Glenn, providing agency-wide leadership in developing Stirling radioisotope generators and advanced fission power systems for future science and human exploration missions. Mr. Mason is the recipient of the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal (2006), the Rotary National Stellar Award (2010), R&D100 Award (2013), the NASA Outstanding Leadership Medal (2014), and the Gears of Government President’s Award (2019).  He holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Dayton and a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Cleveland State University.