Dr. Salem El Nimri is the Chief of Space Technology at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he leads the Aerospace and Satellites division’s global subject-matter experts and drives strategic engagements with defense, government, space agencies and organizations worldwide. In this role, he bridges AWS’s cloud innovation with the evolving needs of government and commercial space sectors, advancing capabilities across mission operations, satellite systems, and ground infrastructure.
With over two decades of direct leadership experience at NASA, Dr. El Nimri has played a pivotal role in modernizing the agency’s space communications networks, including the Near Space Network. His leadership transformed NASA’s ground operations, driving efficiency, automation, and 21st-century readiness.
Dr. El Nimri’s distinguished service has earned him NASA’s Outstanding Leadership Medal, Exceptional Achievement Medal, Silver Achievement Medal, and the Robert H. Goddard Honor Award, among others. He has led high-impact teams across multiple missions, supporting programs from concept to launch and operations.
Before joining NASA, Dr. El Nimri held technical and leadership positions in telecommunications and renewable energy. He is an alumnus of Harvard University, Harvard Business School, and the University of Central Florida, where he earned his PhD.
At AWS, Dr. El Nimri continues to shape the future of space technology and government/defense partnerships; enabling secure, scalable, and cloud-empowered missions across the global aerospace ecosystem.
Speaking
14September
15:30 / 16:10
Normandy
Summit for Satellite Financing
Space-based Computing: Enabling AI in Orbit and on Earth
