Jonathan Riksen
Executive Vice President & General Manager, National & Global Security Solutions, QinetiQ US
Jonathan Riksen leads innovation in national security technology at QinetiQ US, heading the National & Global Security Solutions unit. He oversees projects ranging from advanced sensor integration for the Army to modernizing systems for federal civilian agencies.
“Our team’s diverse set of skills allows us to address multiple mission-critical needs simultaneously,” Riksen said. “We’re constantly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in national security technology, whether it’s leveraging sensor advancements to develop the next-generation heads-up display or enhancing data collection and management capabilities.”
Shawn N. Purvis, president and CEO of QinetiQ US said: “Jonathan’s leadership of the NGSS business unit exemplifies QinetiQ US’s commitment to mission-led innovation. His extensive experience supporting the Department of Homeland Security, including Customs and Border Protection, as well as other federal law enforcement agencies, brings invaluable insight to our operations. His team’s focus on rapid prototyping, data integration and legacy system modernization is driving innovation that directly impacts our nation’s security.”
Why Watch
In 2024, Riksen and his team are focused on shaping the future of domain awareness and bringing advanced tools to government customers. Their approach strikes a balance between addressing emerging needs and modernizing legacy platforms.
“We fundamentally believe there are two types of needs in government: entirely new capabilities to address emerging threats, and the modernization of robust legacy platforms,” Riksen said. “Our focus on rapid prototyping and engineering allows us to get ahead of the demand curve, while also providing cost-conscious and effective solutions for today’s challenges.”
A key area of innovation for Riksen’s team is the development of advanced heads-up display technology. “We’re producing end products that enhance safety and situational awareness,” he said. “Our focus is to integrate data and technology into a structure applicable across various domains, from soldiers on the front lines to air missions to law enforcement.”
Riksen also emphasizes the critical role of data management in national security. “As data becomes increasingly abundant, we partner with government customers to make sense of it, determine focus areas, and derive effective outcomes,” he said. “In a challenging budget environment, we’re well-positioned to invest in our customers’ future, offering a scalable yet agile and consultative relationship.”