Dave Sharpin is Chief Executive Officer of Quantum-Systems Inc., the U.S. subsidiary of Quantum-Systems GmbH, a global leader in next-generation unmanned aircraft systems and robotics. With more than 35 years of experience spanning government manned aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), and advanced defense technologies, Dave has built a distinguished career at the intersection of engineering innovation, business growth, and national security.
Dave began his career as a systems engineer and program manager before moving into senior leadership roles across top aerospace and defense companies. He was Vice President and General Manager of Special Mission Aircraft at Alliant Techsystems (now Northrop Grumman), where he grew the business from a niche operator into a recognized provider of quick reaction aircraft for U.S. and international customers. At Orbital ATK, he held executive roles in Strategy, Business Development, and Aircraft Protection, spearheading the creation of new mission systems and advanced airborne solutions that strengthened U.S. and allied capabilities.
At AeroVironment, Dave led the Tactical UAS business unit, overseeing a 250-person global team delivering unmanned systems to U.S. agencies and international defense partners in over 40 countries. He later expanded into corporate strategy and sales leadership, driving growth across the company’s unmanned and robotic systems portfolio.
Prior to joining Quantum-Systems, Dave served as CEO and Chairman of the Board of Auterion Government Solutions, where he advanced an open-source ecosystem for software-defined drones supporting U.S. government missions. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for blending technical expertise with strategic vision, guiding organizations to develop innovative products while meeting evolving defense and security needs.
An engineer by training, Dave holds both a Bachelor of Science and a Master of Science in Electrical Engineering from Wright State University. He is also an inventor, holding multiple U.S. patents in radar, sensors, and aircraft protection technologies. A U.S. Air Force veteran, Dave continues to apply his lifelong passion for creating transformative aerospace solutions to address real-world challenges.