In this role, Misty will lead the ARM Institute’s technical strategy to drive innovations in robotics and AI for manufacturing, as well as develop new business opportunities for the Institute.
March 5, 2026 – The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute is pleased to announce the appointment of Misty Dawson as Chief Technology Officer effective March 16, 2026. Her appointment follows Dr. Chuck Brandt’s retirement at the end of 2025. In this role, Misty will lead the ARM Institute’s technical strategy to help manufacturers of all sizes implement robotics and physical artificial intelligence (AI), as well as drive business development for technical opportunities related to the ARM Institute’s mission.
The ARM Institute is the nation’s leading Manufacturing Innovation Institute funded by the Department of Defense and part of the Manufacturing USA® network. The ARM Institute’s vision is to assert the US as the leading nation in manufacturing output through the adoption of robotics and AI. The institute accomplishes this mission in collaboration with its consortium of nearly 500 organizations and thousands of individual subject matter experts who represent the most innovative minds across industry, government, and academia.
Misty brings decades of experience as a technology executive in the defense, robotics, and aerospace industries to her role at the ARM Institute. Most recently, she led her own consulting firm and advised small businesses on growth strategies in the US and global defense sectors and provided due diligence insight for investors in manufacturing businesses in the aerospace sectors.
Previously, she was the Vice President of Strategy and Product Management at Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corporation where she led the corporate strategy and product management team and focused on business viability and market exploration of novel robotic and AI technologies. In this role, she reported directly to the CEO and led significant strategic shifts for the organization. She has also served as a General Manager and Site Leader for Collins Aerospace (An RTX Business) and was Senior Director of Products and Optronics at Rockwell Collins, among other roles.
Misty earned her Master of Business Administration from the W. P. Carey School of Business, Arizona State University and a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University. In addition, she has completed the Thayer Leadership program at West Point, and she has dedicated significant time in volunteer positions to support women in technology and raise awareness of STEM career pathways. She is a member of the 47G aerospace and defense association and Women Tech Council (WTC) Industry Advisory Boards.
“I am thrilled to welcome Misty to the ARM Institute team,” noted Jorgen Pedersen, ARM Institute CEO, “Misty brings a wealth of expertise that will provide immense value not only to the ARM Institute, but also to our nearly 500 member organizations, our defense partners, and our mission to grow US manufacturing through the use of robotics and AI. Her experience and leadership will further augment our already world-class technology team.”
“I am honored to join the ARM Institute and partner with the incredible consortium to advance the future of U.S. manufacturing through robotics and AI,” said Misty Dawson, incoming ARM Institute CTO. “The ARM Institute has built an outstanding technology team, and I look forward to leveraging my aerospace and defense experience in joining them to shape strategies that advance US manufacturing.”
Media Inquiries
Press inquiries and/or interview requests should be directed to:
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Director of Outreach & Engagement, ARM Institute
ABOUT THE ARM INSTITUTE
The ARM (Advanced Robotics for Manufacturing) Institute is a Manufacturing Innovation Institute (MII) funded by the Office of the Secretary of Defense/War under Agreement Number W911NF-17-3-0004 and is part of the Manufacturing USA® network. The ARM Institute leverages a unique and robust consortium of nearly 500 member organizations and partners across industry, academia, and government to make robotics, autonomy, and artificial intelligence more accessible to U.S. manufacturers large and small, train and empower the manufacturing workforce, strengthen our economy and global competitiveness, and elevate national security and resilience. Based in Pittsburgh, PA since 2017, the ARM Institute’s mission is to assert the US as the leading nation in manufacturing output through the adoption of robotics and AI. For more information, visit www.arminstitute.org and follow the ARM Institute on LinkedIn and X.