Clint Barnes
DEFENCE SCIENCE LEADER | AEROSPACE ENGINEER | FRONTIER TECH STRATEGIST
October 12, 2026
Strategic R&D Partnerships, and Systems Engineering
Clint brings over two decades of strategic leadership and technical expertise across aerospace engineering and frontier defense technology.
As a Division Chief at New Zealand Defence Science & Technology (DST) and an Executive Chair within the Five Eyes (FVEY) science network, he oversees complex R&D programs spanning from the underwater domain to space and advanced data analytics.
Drawing on a career that began as an Engineering Officer in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, Clint offers founders a unique, high-stakes perspective on navigating global partnerships, scaling dual-use technologies, and deploying complex science into strictly regulated environments.