The Senate has confirmed Emil Michael as the Department of Defense’s new Under Secretary for Research and Engineering and its Chief Technology Officer (CTO), following a 54-43 vote on May 14. He replaces James Mazol, who had been serving in an acting capacity during the early months of the Trump administration, and succeeds Heidi Shyu, the last Senate-confirmed official in the role under President Biden.
Michael, best known for his tenure as Chief Business Officer at Uber from 2013 to 2017, brings a deep private-sector background to the Pentagon. Most recently, he served as CEO of DPCM Capital. He also served on the Defense Business Board and held a prior government role as special assistant to Defense Secretary Robert Gates between 2006 and 2011.
In his confirmation hearing, Michael emphasized fiscal discipline in defense R&D, urging the Pentagon to shut down failing programs and redirect investment toward technologies aligned with a “peace through strength” strategy. He highlighted artificial intelligence, autonomous systems, quantum computing, directed energy, and hypersonics as top priorities. He also underscored the value of leveraging private-sector innovation, calling for stronger collaboration with industry and a streamlined path for small businesses to enter the defense ecosystem.
Michael told lawmakers he believes venture capital and private equity can play a larger role in revitalizing the defense industrial base. He is expected to oversee work across the Pentagon’s 14 critical technology areas and contribute to major initiatives such as the Golden Dome missile defense program.
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