Mr. Nicholas Shaker serves as a Deputy Director of Prototyping within the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Prototyping & Experimentation (ODASW (P&E)), an organization operating under the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering (OUSW(R&E)). While specific public biographies for his current Deputy Director appointment are limited, open-source professional records highlight his extensive background in defense engineering and testing.
Professional Background & Engineering Experience
- Department of Defense Career. Prior to his leadership role in prototyping, Nicholas Shaker served for over a decade as a mechanical engineer for the U.S. Department of Defense (Department of the Navy) starting in 2011.
- Technical Focus. His engineering portfolio focused on managing all stages of testing for Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) equipment, including robotics and electronic warfare systems. He also specialized in mechanical component design, test documentation adjudication, and serving as a technical point of contact for electronic warfare inquiries.
- Education. He holds a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering (M.S.M.E.) from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (B.S.M.E.) from the State University of New York at Buffalo.
Role Context: ODASW (Prototyping & Experimentation)
The ODASW (Prototyping & Experimentation) Office is dedicated to accelerating emerging technologies from early concepts into fielded operational capabilities for the warfighter. Within this office, the prototyping leadership oversees efforts to:
- Bridge Research and Operations. Partner across the Military Services, Combatant Commands, industry, and academia to address urgent national security challenges. [1]
- Build a “Body of Evidence.” Conduct realistic field demonstrations and exercises to validate operational utility, technical feasibility, and integration risks before committing programs to full-scale acquisition. [1]
- Advance Critical Technology Areas. Prioritize rapid capability development across focus areas such as multi-domain collaborative autonomy, resilient communications, counter-C5ISRT, and affordable long-range fires.