Director of Research at Integer Technologies
Dillon S. Watring, Ph.D., is a researcher and program leader working at the intersection of artificial intelligence, materials science, and federal research strategy. His work has centered on translating emerging technology into national research priorities, building large-scale research programs, and advising government leadership on AI policy, digital twins, and advanced manufacturing. He currently serves as Director of Research at Integer Technologies, an applied research and defense technology company based in the United States, where he helps grow the company's academic research partnerships and provides strategic guidance across its applied research portfolio.
Dillon's expertise spans AI and machine learning, digital twins, advanced manufacturing, and materials science, paired with deep experience navigating the federal research funding landscape. He most recently served as Associate Director for AI and Digital Solutions at the CHIPS Research and Development Office, a joint office of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and the U.S. Department of Commerce, where he led the strategic portfolio for AI and digital twins research, including program management of the $1 billion SMART USA Digital Twins Research Institute. He previously served as Technical Program Manager at the same office, and for a period also served as Acting Deputy Director and Chief of Staff. During his tenure at NIST, he co-authored the National AI R&D Strategic Plan and the National Digital Twins R&D Strategic Plan, and represented NIST on interagency bodies including the NITRD AI Interagency Working Group and the Digital Twins Fast-Track Action Committee.
Earlier in his career, Watring was an AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellow at the National Science Foundation, where he worked on the National AI Research Institutes Program and managed the ExpandAI program. Before entering federal policy, he worked as a Materials Research Engineer at the Naval Research Laboratory in Washington, D.C., developing AI-enabled automation frameworks for defense research.
Dillon Watring earned a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah, an M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Florida International University, and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Florida International University.
Outside of his research and technical career, Dillon co-owns Stranger Goods, a stained glass and art business he runs with his wife, through which the two design and create handmade stained glass pieces. He is also an enthusiastic writer, drawing on his years of experience navigating the federal research funding landscape to write about science policy, technology strategy, and the intersection of research and public service, and he also enjoys dabbling in science fiction.
Outside of research, I'm starting two ongoing writing projects: a blog covering research, technology, and other interests, and original science fiction.