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John Burnett’s Retirement: A 43-Year Legacy of Leadership and Impact

February 4, 2025

After more than 43 years in the aerospace and defense industry, John Burnett has decided to make the call to retire officially. As one of Ampex Data Systems’ lead Program Managers, he has been instrumental in overseeing and executing some of the company’s most complex and high-profile defense programs. His career has been one of dedication, leadership, and execution. From his early days as an engineer in Binghamton, New York, in 1980 to leading critical programs at Raytheon and later at Ampex, his journey wasn’t just about solving technical challenges. It was about seeing the bigger picture, orchestrating large-scale efforts, and ensuring that when a program was under his control, it was set up for success.

Early Engineering Years

John’s career began in 1980 in Binghamton, New York, where he started as a test engineer, ensuring that mission-critical avionics and defense systems were built to perform under the toughest conditions. His role was hands-on, requiring precision and problem-solving as he validated hardware and software to meet the rigorous standards of the defense industry. He wasn’t just executing tasks; he was learning the intricate details of how the technology functioned, how teams collaborated, and how to troubleshoot when systems didn’t perform as expected. His dedication and ability to grasp the bigger picture quickly led him into systems and software design, where he contributed to early developments in navigation, communication, and avionics systems. These contributions laid the groundwork for critical defense applications, and John wasn’t just a participant in the process. He was actively shaping the evolution of these systems.

Moving into Leadership

By the late 1980s and early 1990s, John had become a Senior Systems Engineer and Software Architect, leading development efforts that shaped how avionics and mission data systems operated in the field. He wasn’t just solving individual problems. He was thinking about how entire systems needed to work together, and that mindset pulled him toward larger roles.

In 1994, John took his first step into Engineering Management, running teams responsible for large-scale avionics and command and control programs. He led efforts in air traffic control modernization, navigation and communications system development, and highly classified special programs. His ability to guide engineers, keep execution on track, and navigate the complexities of defense contracting made him the obvious choice for program leadership.

Expansion into Program Management

By 1996, John moved to Colorado, where he took on engineering and program management roles in Colorado Springs and later Aurora. His responsibilities grew exponentially. He was no longer just leading engineering teams. He was overseeing entire programs, balancing long-term strategic planning with the daily execution required to deliver results.

His time at Raytheon became a defining period in his career. He played a major role in GPS modernization, working on the GPS OCX program, which replaced legacy satellite control infrastructure with a next-generation, cyber-secure architecture. This was not just an upgrade. It was a fundamental shift in how the military managed global positioning and navigation, ensuring that the system could withstand jamming and cyber threats.

John also worked on satellite ground control programs, ensuring that operators had the tools they needed to plan and manage space-based missions with more precision and efficiency. These were not theoretical projects. They were the systems that dictated how critical military assets operated in real-world missions.

A Reputation for Program Execution

His ability to step into ongoing programs, assess what was working and what wasn’t, and get everything back on track became his defining skill. Defense programs are notoriously difficult to manage. They come with shifting requirements, strict compliance regulations, and stakeholders who all have different priorities. John didn’t just navigate that environment. He thrived in it.

After 34 years at Raytheon, John retired in 2014. Most people would have called it a career at that point. He didn’t.

Bringing Expertise to Ampex

In 2018, John brought his expertise to Ampex Data Systems, where he didn’t just manage programs. He set the foundation for how Ampex ran them. With decades of experience leading multimillion-dollar defense contracts, he immediately became a key player in the company’s biggest efforts.
He took charge of the Sierra Space Dream Chaser Multifunction Data Recorder and the MQ-4C Triton Airborne Recorder, both of which played critical roles in mission data capture. These systems had to be designed, tested, and integrated with some of the most advanced aerospace and military platforms in the world. The level of precision required was extreme, and John ensured that Ampex delivered at the highest standard.

Beyond the programs themselves, he shaped the way Ampex executed them. He wrote the Ampex Program Management Standard Operating Procedure, creating a framework that will guide future program managers long after his retirement. His impact was not just in the contracts he managed but in the way he structured execution, risk management, and leadership so that the company could continue delivering excellence.

Reflections from Leadership

Nick Duran, General Manager of Ampex Data Systems, shared his thoughts on John’s impact:

“John has been more than a leader at Ampex. He has been a steady force of expertise and dedication, shaping both the Program Management team and the company as a whole. With a sharp engineering mind, a gift for clear and effective communication, and a wealth of experience managing complex government development programs, he has consistently driven success. His influence goes beyond programs and deadlines. It is reflected in the strong relationships he has built with colleagues and customers alike. Those connections will last well beyond his time here, just as his impact will. He will be deeply missed, but his legacy at Ampex will endure.”

A Lasting Legacy

John Burnett’s career was not just long. It was impactful. Over four decades, he worked on some of the most mission-critical defense programs in history. The GPS systems he helped modernize, the satellite operations he helped shape, and the mission data systems he ensured were fielded successfully will continue to support military operations for years to come.

His legacy is not just in the programs he led but in the teams he mentored, the solutions he delivered, and the lasting influence he had on the defense industry. At Ampex, we are proud to have had him as part of our team. His work will continue to shape our success long into the future.