Faculty Directory

Dr. Brian A. Weiss is an Associate Research Engineer in the Artificial Intelligence, Autonomy, and Augmentation mission area at the University of Maryland (UMD) Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security (ARLIS). Dr. Weiss’ research interests are focused on the development and execution of tests and evaluations (T&E) of intelligent technologies at multiple implementation levels (i.e., component, system, operational).

Before joining UMD ARLIS, Dr. Weiss spent over 20 years as a mechanical engineer in the Intelligent Systems Division at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). From 2013 – 2022, Dr. Weiss led a project that developed test methods and protocols to verify and validate emerging monitoring, diagnostics, prognostics, and maintenance technologies and strategies. The objective of this research was to enable manufacturers to optimize their planned maintenance and minimize their unplanned maintenance activities. The project focused on the application domains of machine tools and robot systems. From 2013 – 2016, Dr. Weiss also served as the Associate Program Manager for the Smart Manufacturing Operations Planning and Control (SMOPAC) program. Prior to his manufacturing research, he spent 15 years conducting performance assessments across numerous military and first response technologies including autonomous unmanned ground vehicles; tactical applications operating on Android™ devices; advanced soldier sensor technologies; free-form, two-way, speech-to-speech translation devices for tactical use; urban search and rescue robots; and bomb disposal robots.

Dr. Weiss spent several years contributing to ground-breaking efforts in testing and evaluating unmanned ground vehicles for the military. He also spent six years developing robotic crane technologies which included the deployment of a prototype system on a military installation. He is one of the principal creators of the System, Component, and Operationally-Relevant Evaluation (SCORE) framework which he has applied to several of his prior efforts. From 2007 to 2012, Dr. Weiss developed the Multi- Relationship Evaluation Design (MRED) to shorten the time required to develop appropriate test plans to assess complex technologies.

Dr. Weiss earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering (2000), Professional Master in Engineering (2003), and Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (2012) from the University of Maryland, College Park.

Honors and awards

• PHM Society’s Contributor of the Year – Individual (2018 & 2019)
• GCN for IT Excellence Award (2014)
• Department of Commerce Gold Medals (2013 & 2019)
• Colleague’s Choice Award (2013)
• Department of Commerce Silver Medal (2011)
• Department of Commerce Bronze Medals (2004 & 2008)
• Jacob Rabinow Applied Research Award (2006)

Advanced Warfighter Technologies; Decision-making; First Response and Law Enforcement Robotic Systems; Manufacturing Robotic Systems; Monitoring, Diagnostics, and Prognostics; Systems Engineering; Test & Evaluation/Verification & Validation; Unmanned Autonomous Ground Vehicles