Dr. Charles Choi

Award: Gold Medal (Engineer)
Year: 2021
Recipient: Dr. Charles Choi

for his significant contribution to naval engineering as set forth in the following  

CITATION:

Dr. Charles Choi earned his Doctorate in Biomedical Engineering, MS in Biomedical Engineering, and MSE in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, from the University of Michigan. Dr. Choi also holds a BSE in Electrical and Biomedical Engineering from Duke University. Dr. Choi started his career as a Lead Systems Engineer with General Dynamics Mission Systems in 2003 developing Sonar systems. He was elevated to the Chief Engineer for the Knifefish Unmanned Underwater Vehicle Program in 2014.

In his Chief Engineer Role, Dr. Choi has been responsible for leading the technical team of over 65 people in every facet of engineering. The program includes integration of groundbreaking sonar technology, the Naval Research Lab’s Low Frequency Broadband sonar system (LFBB), on a 21-inch diameter UUV based on the Bluefin®-21 UUV. For every challenge, from design to integration to in-water testing and data collection, Dr. Choi has led the team to success. From leading the electrical team in troubleshooting integration issues with the sonar, to technical leadership of data collection operations, through the design and implementation of machine learning based post mission analysis algorithms, Charles has been everywhere all the time.

Dr. Choi is the recognized expert on the Knifefish system, not only at General Dynamics Mission Systems, but also at the Navy Program Offices. Throughout his tenure on the program, Dr. Choi has developed and maintained extremely strong customer relationships with Unmanned Maritime Systems Program Office (PMS 406) and LCS Mission Modules (PMS 420). As quoted from Howard Berkof, Deputy Program Manager Littoral Combat Ships (PMS 501); Previously Deputy Program Manager Unmanned Systems (PMS 406):

Dr. Charles Choi significantly contributed to naval engineering in the past five years as the Chief Engineer for General Dynamics Mission Systems on the Knifefish Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) program, providing unwavering engineering leadership focus in maturing the system from engineering development through low-rate initial production. During this time, he demonstrated steady leadership, deep and broad engineering expertise, and raw determination to overcome many engineering and resourcing challenges along the way. The American Society of Naval Engineers is proud to name Dr. Charles Choi as the recipient of the 2021 ASNE Gold Medal Award.