Our Story

Innovative Engineering Solutions (IES) was founded in 1994 by senior aerospace engineers with a proven heritage in the development, qualification, and advancement of next-generation space launch vehicle systems and mission-critical aerospace technologies. Recognized for their technical expertise and innovative problem-solving, the founders established IES with a clear vision: to provide world-class engineering, manufacturing, and testing solutions that help customers overcome complex technical challenges while achieving the highest standards of quality, reliability, and mission success.

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Today, IES combines engineering, manufacturing, and advanced testing under one roof, enabling customers to reduce technical risk, accelerate development, and bring innovative technologies to flight more efficiently. For more than three decades, our commitment to engineering excellence, technical innovation, and customer success has made IES a trusted partner for organizations developing the next generation of aerospace, defense, space, and hydrogen technologies.

Following the successful delivery of our first flight-qualified hardware in 1995, IES quickly established a reputation for solving complex engineering challenges and delivering reliable, high-performance solutions. As our customers' programs evolved, so did our capabilities. We expanded beyond engineering design to provide integrated manufacturing, advanced testing, qualification, and production support—offering customers a seamless path from concept development through flight-qualified hardware.

In 2003, IES opened its Murrieta Test Facility (MTF), creating a premier aerospace development, qualification, and test facility designed to support the most demanding requirements of space, defense, and advanced technology programs. MTF provides comprehensive capabilities in liquid hydrogen testing, cryogenic fluid systems testing, large-scale structural testing, and integrated hardware evaluation. As a recognized Center of Excellence for liquid hydrogen testing, MTF represents one of the nation's few commercial facilities capable of testing aerospace systems using actual liquid hydrogen. This unique combination of engineering expertise and specialized infrastructure has positioned IES as a trusted partner for the development, qualification, and advancement of mission-critical aerospace technologies.

IES Timeline

Our Awards

  • 1996: Selected as industry partner by Lockheed Martin on Atlas and Boeing on Delta

  • 2006: US Small Business Administration "Administrator's Award for Excellence"

  • 2007: Northrop Grumman "Supplier of the Year"

  • 2012: ULA "Small Business Excellence" Award

  • 2015: Boeing "Performance Excellence" Award

  • 2019: ULA Small Business Excellence" Award

Michael Gruszczynski

Chief Executive Officer

Dan Clark serves as Chief Operating Officer of Innovative Engineering Solutions (IES), bringing more than 40 years of engineering, operations, and program management experience in aerospace and advanced technology. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Berkeley.

Prior to joining IES in 1997, Dan held engineering and management positions with General Dynamics/Lockheed Martin Astronautics and Hughes Aircraft. He has extensive expertise in the design, analysis, and operation of complex aerospace test systems, including cryogenic, structural, hydraulic, pneumatic, propulsion, and instrumentation systems. Dan led the successful transition of the Lockheed Martin Sycamore Canyon Liquid Hydrogen Test Facility to IES and oversaw the design, construction, and commissioning of the Murrieta Test Facility, which has since become a premier aerospace development and qualification facility supporting programs for Lockheed Martin, Boeing, Northrop Grumman, United Launch Alliance, and other leading aerospace organizations. Under his leadership, the facility has grown substantially and continues to support some of the industry's most demanding aerospace test programs.

 Quality and Compliance

Mark Wollen

Chief Technology Officer

Steve Clark

Executive Vice President

Mark Wollen is a founding principal and Chief Technology Officer of Innovative Engineering Solutions (IES), bringing more than 40 years of engineering leadership in aerospace propulsion, cryogenic systems, and advanced fluid mechanical systems. He earned both Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University and has been a recognized technical contributor to the evolution of U.S. space launch vehicles since the early 1980s.


Throughout his career, Mark has led the design, analysis, development, and testing of advanced cryogenic propulsion and fluid management systems supporting the Atlas, Centaur, Delta III, Delta IV, and other launch vehicle programs, as well as next-generation systems for commercial space companies. At IES, he has directed numerous aerospace development programs, including NASA SBIR research, cryogenic hardware development, liquid hydrogen propulsion technologies, and advanced aerospace test systems. His technical achievements include receiving the U.S. Air Force Outstanding Achievement Award, earning a U.S. patent for contributions to the National Aerospace Plane (NASP) program, and authoring more than 30 technical papers and research publications.

Victor Bakke, P.E., serves as Vice President of Product Development at Innovative Engineering Solutions (IES), bringing more than 30 years of engineering experience in product design, manufacturing, and advanced mechanical systems. A Professional Engineer with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Montana State University, Victor leads the development of innovative products from concept through production.


Victor's expertise spans mechanical system design, computer-aided design and manufacturing (CAD/CAM), electronic device layout and assembly, and advanced manufacturing processes, including injection molding, thermoforming, and rapid prototyping. His extensive experience in product development and manufacturing engineering enables IES to efficiently transform innovative concepts into reliable, high-quality products for aerospace, defense, industrial, and advanced technology applications.

Steve Clark serves as Executive Vice President of Innovative Engineering Solutions (IES), bringing more than 15 years of experience in financial management, engineering operations, and complex project execution. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, and combines technical project management skills with business and operational leadership.


Steve oversees key aspects of IES business operations, including financial management, accounting functions, regulatory compliance, internal controls, and resource planning. In addition to his financial responsibilities, he leads and supports major engineering programs, coordinating multidisciplinary teams to successfully execute complex projects from development through completion. His combination of financial oversight, engineering expertise, and program leadership helps ensure IES's continued growth, operational excellence, and ability to deliver mission-critical aerospace solutions.

Quality is embedded in every aspect of Innovative Engineering Solutions' (IES) engineering, manufacturing, and testing operations. Our ISO 9001-certified Quality Management System ensures disciplined processes, continuous improvement, and the consistent delivery of high-quality products and services.

IES is ITAR compliant, registered with the U.S. Department of State's Directorate of Defense Trade Controls (DDTC), and holds a Federal Explosives License (FEL) issued by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), enabling the secure design, manufacture, handling, and testing of defense-related hardware and energetic systems.

We are actively pursuing AS9100 certification to further align our operations with aerospace and defense industry standards and are on track for a CMMC Level 2 assessment in Q4 2026, reinforcing our commitment to protecting Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI) and meeting Department of Defense cybersecurity requirements.

Our inspection and test systems are supported by NIST-traceable calibration and compliance with ANSI Z540.1, ensuring measurement accuracy, complete traceability, and confidence in every engineering and test result.

Leadership Team

Mary Nash

President

Michael Gruszczynski, P.E., has served as Chief Executive Officer of Innovative Engineering Solutions (IES) since its founding, providing more than 40 years of engineering leadership in aerospace and advanced technology applications. A Professional Engineer with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Purdue University and a Professional Certificate in Engineering Management from the University of California San Diego, 

Michael brings extensive expertise in spacecraft thermal analysis, advanced cryogenic insulation systems, and mission-critical aerospace technologies. Prior to founding IES, Michael was recognized as Engineer of the Year at General Dynamics Space Systems for his leadership in the development of a new liquid hydrogen flight insulation system. He also received an AIAA award for Outstanding Contributions to the Aerospace Engineering Profession and supported the NASA Independent Review Team established following the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. He is a life member of the American Society of Mechanical Engineers and has over 40 published technical papers and research reports to his credit.

Mike Spencer 

Vice President of Operations

Dan Clark

Victor Bakke

Vice President of Product Development

Mike Spencer serves as Vice President of Operations at Innovative Engineering Solutions (IES), bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in aerospace operations, manufacturing, and organizational management. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from California Polytechnic State University, Pomona, and is responsible for directing the company's day-to-day operations to ensure the efficient execution of engineering, manufacturing, and testing programs.


Mike oversees facility operations, manpower planning, resource allocation, production scheduling, and cross-functional coordination across the organization. His leadership ensures that IES effectively aligns people, facilities, and technical resources to meet customer requirements while maintaining the company's commitment to quality, operational excellence, and on-time program execution.

Chief Operations Officer

Mary Nash, P.E., is a founding principal and President of Innovative Engineering Solutions (IES), where she has helped guide the company's growth and strategic direction since its founding. A Professional Engineer with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University, Mary began her career with NASA and has extensive experience in aerospace engineering, advanced technology, and business leadership.


Mary's technical expertise includes computer applications for engineering and test systems, spacecraft and industrial thermal analysis, fluid flow analysis, electronic systems thermal management, and gas turbine engine cooling system analysis and testing. She was instrumental in developing the advanced data acquisition systems that support IES's engineering and test programs and played a key role in establishing the company's business operations, proposal development, and early customer base. Her vision and leadership have been fundamental in building the operational infrastructure and customer relationships that have enabled IES to become a trusted partner to the aerospace, defense, and space industries.