Colonel Juan D. Jurado is the Permanent Professor and Head of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. He leads a 15-member academic department delivering an ABET-accredited electrical and computer engineering curriculum to more than 800 cadets annually. Colonel Jurado oversees a $150,000 annual budget and directs strategic planning for undergraduate research, faculty development, and curriculum modernization initiatives. He supervises faculty across the disciplines of power systems, communications, electronics, and embedded systems, while fostering partnerships with industry and national laboratories. In addition to mentoring junior faculty and guiding promotion processes, he maintains active research in navigation systems and signal processing, contributing to both the academic mission and the broader engineering community.

Colonel Jurado entered the Air Force in December 2006 through ROTC at Texas A&M University. He holds a Master of Science and Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering from the Air Force Institute of Technology, a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering from the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, and a Master of Arts in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College. He has held a variety of developmental engineering and leadership positions within the Air Force Test Center, including F-16 Electronic Warfare Test Engineer, Director of Engineering for all C-130, H-1, and V-22 programs, Chief of the Education Division at the U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, and Commander of a classified flight test squadron. Prior to his current position, he was a student at the U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I.

Master of Arts, National Security and Strategic Studies, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I. (2025)

Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (2019)

Doctorate of Philosophy, Electrical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2019)

Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2014)

Master of Science, Flight Test Engineering, Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. (2013)

Master of Science, Electrical Engineering, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2012)

Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala. (2007)

Bachelor of Science, Electrical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station (2006)

Permanent Professor and Head of ECE, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (2025-Present)

Student, U.S. Naval War College, Newport, R.I. (2024-205)

Deputy Department Head of ECE, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Colo. (2023-2024)

Commander, Flight Test Squadron (2021-2023)

Director of Education, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School, Edwards Air Force Base, Calif. (2019-2021)

Ph.D. Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2016-2019)

Director of Engineering, 413th Flight Test Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Fla. (2013-2016)

Student, USAF Test Pilot School, Edwards AFB, Calif. (2012-2013)

Student, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2010-2012)

BM Intelligence Specialist, NASIC, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (2009-2010)

EW Test Engineer, 416th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, Calif. (2007-2009)

Student, Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (2007)

Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Air Force Aerial Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters

Air Force Commendation Medal

Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster

Other Achievements

Distinguished Graduate, U.S. Naval War College (2025)

Society of Flight Test Engineers Kelly Johnson Award (2023)

Air Force Institute of Technology Young Alumni Award (2022)

Student Field Grade Officer of the Year, Air Force Institute of Technology (2017)

Texas A&M University “12 under 12” Young Alumni Spotlight Award (2016)

Company Grade Officer of the Year, 413th Flight Test Squadron (2015)

Company Grade Officer of the Year, 413th Flight Test Squadron (2014)

Distinguished Graduate, Squadron Officer School (2014)

Distinguished Graduate, Air Force Test Pilot School (2013)

Distinguished Graduate, Air Force Institute of Technology (2012)

Rookie of the Year Award, National Air and Space Intelligence Center (2010)

Company Grade Officer of the Year, Ballistic Missile Intelligence Squadron (2009)

Distinguished Graduate, ROTC Detachment 805 (2006)

Effective Dates of Promotion

Colonel March 2024

Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 2019

Major Dec. 2016

Captain Dec. 2010

First Lieutenant Dec. 2008

Second Lieutenant Dec. 2006

Flight Information

Rating: Flight Test Engineer

Flight hours: More than 500

Aircraft flown: AC-130, C-130, F-15, F-16, T-38, C-12, C-17, KC-135, TG-4, DG-1000, and C-172