Mark Manzano is a software engineer in the Weapon Control Software Branch of the Weapons Control and Integration Department at NSWC Dahlgren Division. Manzano splits his time serving as Battle Management System (BMS) software engineering lead for Littoral Combat Ships (LCS) and group lead within BMS.
Manzano graduated from Mary Washington College – now called University of Mary Washington – in 2004 with a bachelor’s degree in computer science.
Upon joining NSWC Dahlgren in 2009, Manzano was eager to be an active part of projects that ultimately end up in the hands of the warfighter. A project-minded person, Manzano particularly relishes the opportunity to see something from concept to final product.
“When I first came to Dahlgren and worked on the BMS software team we developed a code and installed it at Eglin Air Force Base,” he said. “We installed the code on a plane and got to see it in action. It was exciting to see that the warfighter was able to use what I created.”
The satisfaction Manzano gets from development stretches beyond the scope of his software projects. As group lead for BMS, Manzano trains less-experienced developers and helps them understand best practices, approach complex systems and grow professionally.
“Firstly, I see myself as the person creating the tools for us to win confrontations that our warfighter undergoes,” said Manzano. “But I also see myself as someone who is continually learning and spreading that knowledge to other people to help our organization grow, become more effective and become more efficient.”