Damon Stewart is a distinguished senior computer engineer and flight software verification expert at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC). With a career spanning more than 25 years, Damon has played a pivotal role in the success of numerous flagship space missions and critical technology demonstrations. He currently serves as the Test, Verification, and Vulnerabilities Product Development Lead (PDL) for the Core Flight System (cFS), NASA’s premier reusable flight software framework. In this capacity, he manages comprehensive testing efforts across all cFS sub-teams, tracks and mitigates reported software vulnerabilities, and drives the modernization of test automation architectures.

Damon earned his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Ohio University’s Russ College of Engineering and Technology. He began his NASA career in early 2001, making an immediate impact by defining the requirements for and designing the Executive Services application for the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) Integrated Science Instrument Module (ISIM) Command and Data Handling (C&DH) system. During his early years, he authored critical interface control documents and developed initial applications for the Near Infrared Spectrometer (NIRSpec), laying the technical groundwork for what would become a generation-defining observatory.

Over the next decade, Damon’s expertise in software development and testing rapidly expanded. He spent time optimizing systems for the International X-Ray Observatory (IXO), where he successfully resolved complex memory leaks and achieved a 300% increase in channel capacity. In 2007, he took on an assignment testing the very first version of the cFS File Manager (FM) application—a formative experience with the framework that he would eventually lead. Damon then transitioned to the Magnetospheric Multiscale (MMS) mission, where he established himself as a Center-wide Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the SpaceWire protocol by creating specialized ground databases and test scenarios. He concurrently supported the Advanced Topographic Laser Altimeter System (ATLAS/ICESat-2), creating testing utilities and resolving complex CCSDS File Delivery Protocol (CFDP) file transfer issues.

In 2014, Damon’s career entered a new phase of leadership as he returned to JWST. Serving as Test Lead, he directed a team of seven engineers through rigorous pre-launch testing of critical subsystems, acting as the primary C&DH contact for the Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI). Following the successful delivery of these systems, he joined the Plankton, Aerosol, Cloud, ocean Ecosystem (PACE) mission. There, he developed a specialized SpaceWire Test Set (SWTS) telemetry simulator and supported the mission through its launch preparation. During his time on PACE, Damon was trained and mentored by Maureen Armbruster, gaining the vital leadership insights that would prepare him for his next major role.

Damon’s reputation as an authority in mission assurance led to his selection as a panel member for the 2023 Wide Field Instrument (WFI) Integrated C&DH Flight Software System Test Readiness Review. He later took up the role of Panel Chair following the previous chair’s retirement. Drawing on his PACE training, Damon officially stepped into the Test Team Lead role for the Capture, Containment, and Return System (CCRS), where he modularized workflows and ported critical ITOS utility procedures. Continuing his hands-on technical work, he then served as a specialized tester for the autonomous Navigation, Guidance, and Control (AutoNGC) project and the Delay/Disruption Tolerant Network (DTN) effort. During this time, he engineered a sophisticated open-source Python package of test utilities for COSMOS-based projects, which he is currently integrating into the cFS testing architecture.

In 2025, Damon’s career came full circle when he was recruited back to the cFS team. Taking on the role of cFS Test Team Lead, he authored the initial draft of the cFS Test Plan and approved the foundational tests for the 7.0.0 update. He personally executed the tests to ensure the release went smoothly and was ready for tagging. Following the update’s successful release in January 2026, departures of key leadership prompted a reorganization of the team. As part of this transition, Damon was elevated to his current role as PDL.

Combining deep technical fluency in languages and ground systems—including Python, C/C++, COSMOS, ITOS, and ASIST—with a collaborative, problem-solving leadership style, Damon brings a rare blend of legacy knowledge and forward-looking innovation to his work. Through his dedication to robust testing methodologies, technical mentorship, and continuous improvement, Damon remains a critical safeguard for the software that powers NASA’s exploration of the cosmos.