OpenMBEE Leadership: Chris Delp

Christopher Delp is a distinguished leader in Digital Engineering, Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE)/Model-Based Engineering (MBE), Systems Modeling, Systems Architecture, and Open Source contributions for Systems Engineering. He has played pivotal roles in advancing Jet Propulsion Laboratory's (JPL) adoption of MBSE and Digital Engineering practices. As a recognized authority in professional circles, he leads the INCOSE Model-Based Environments workshop, emphasizing Open-Source Modeling for Systems Engineering. Furthermore, Mr. Delp co-founded the OpenMBEE open-source initiative.

With over 25 years of extensive experience in Systems Engineering and Software Engineering on JPL Flight Projects, Mr. Delp’s expertise encompasses system architecture and design, development and testing of safety-critical software, and the application of Systems Engineering principles across the project lifecycle. He is celebrated as an industry-leading expert in MBSE and Model-Based Engineering Environments.

Currently serving as the Technical Group Supervisor for Systems Product Solutions Engineering, Mr. Delp oversees the implementation of cutting-edge digital engineering methodologies to create robust software ecosystems, delivering advanced solutions tailored to the needs of digital engineering.

In previous roles, Mr. Delp spearheaded a multi-year rearchitecture of the Model-Based Engineering Enterprise for Systems and Software Engineering within JPL's Computer Aided Engineering program. This groundbreaking endeavor has set a new benchmark for engineering innovation, offering a state-of-the-art environment for system modeling, analytical assessments, and simulation development rooted in Open Engineering principles.

Mr. Delp also led the Model Environment Development for the Europa Clipper mission, where he established a Model-Based Engineering Environment and facilitated the growth of the Open MBEE community—a dedicated group focused on open-source Model-Based Engineering models, software, and frameworks.

As one of the founding members of the OpenMBEE project, Mr. Delp contributed to a pioneering open-source initiative centered on Digital Engineering using a Model-Based Engineering Environment based on the Dragon Architecture. His contributions extend to the development of SysML standards, where he actively participates as a leading member of the SysML standards development teams at OMG and INCOSE, alongside leading the OpenMBEE workshop within INCOSE.

Mr. Delp holds a Master’s degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona, reflecting his commitment to technical excellence and leadership in the field.