Peter Woods, Ph.D.
GM – Huntsville Ops
Corvid Technologies
Q: Tell us about yourself. How long have you been in Huntsville?
I moved to Huntsville in 1995 to attend UAH to pursue a Ph.D. in astrophysics. What started as a plan to complete graduate school quickly turned into a much longer chapter in my life here in Huntsville. After graduating, I spent about five years as a postdoctoral astrophysics researcher with USRA, working out of the national space science and technology center (NSSTC) located inside the Robert “Bud” Cramer Research Hall. I ultimately found that Huntsville offered a unique combination of technical opportunity, a strong professional community, and a great place to call home.
Over the years I’ve had plenty of opportunities to work on interesting and challenging problems here, while my wife Devonee and I also raised each of our children in the Madison community. Huntsville has always had a strong STEM and defense presence, and it’s been rewarding to be a part of the community and see how much the city has changed since I first arrived after more than 30 years here, Huntsville has become a place I am proud to be from.
Q: Tell us about your team at Corvid Technologies and the work you do.
I joined Corvid in 2010 after five years at Dynetics supporting missile defense radar algorithm analysis and development. During my time at Dynetics I was exposed to Corvid’s work in physics-based modeling, and I was intrigued at the level of technical work the company was doing. I approached David Robinson, Corvid’s President and CEO about establishing a Huntsville office. At the time, a number of Corvid’s customers worked out of Redstone Arsenal in Huntsville, and we saw the value of having a presence close to our customers. The Huntsville office has grown steadily since then and now has 135 people.
What stands out most about the Huntsville staff is the level of technical expertise in collaborative culture we have established across the team we employ people with deep technical foundations in engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, and other STEM fields who work collaboratively to solve complex problems every day. They’re constantly thinking through difficult challenges, developing new approaches, and applying their expertise to real-world problems through modeling, design, prototyping, and manufacturing.
Q: What are some of the projects you’ve been involved in that our readers might know about?
There are a lot of exciting and meaningful programs here at Corvid. One of our major efforts in Huntsville in recent years has been supporting the Next Generation Interceptor program led by Lockheed Martin for the Missile Defense Agency (MDA). We also are the prime contractor for the MDA DISC program, providing range engineering support for missile defense flight collecting critical mission data for the agency. Beyond these programs, we work closely with universities in the area, particularly the Auburn Research Institute (ARI) and UAH. These collaborative relationships have been mutually beneficial; we hire many students and graduates from both schools and about 70% of our Huntsville staff has come from one of these two institutions. We also have a strong internship program and collaborate with faculty and students at these universities on technical projects.
At Corvid, we also place a strong emphasis on being involved in the Huntsville community. Through our relationship with the Alabama School of Cyber Technology and Engineering (ASCTE) we’ve committed $100,000 over 10 years to support the school and its students. Our employees also mentor students, and students have opportunities to spend time at Corvid during the summer or participate in part-time co-op opportunities during the school year. It’s been a great way for our employees to engage with students and give them exposure to STEM careers and the kind of work happening in Huntsville.
Q: Tell us something about yourself that others might not know.
Since I spend much of my time at work behind a computer screen, I seek any opportunity I can outside of work to use my hands and be outdoors. I really enjoy kayak fishing whether that’s on the Gulf, a local lake, or a nearby river. I also enjoy woodworking. It’s a fun hobby and a nice way to spend time doing something different.
I also spend a good bit of time volunteering at my church and currently serve as the property chair at Messiah Lutheran Church. It’s something I enjoy being involved in in a good way to stay connected to my church community.
Q: What does Corvid Technologies see from its involvement in HREGI?
We see our involvement in HREGI as a way to stay connected to the Huntsville community and support the continued growth of the region. We participate in community events and sponsor initiatives when we can, because we believe it’s important for local businesses to be engaged in economic development of Huntsville. Our employees also place a lot of value on being involved in the community outside of their work at Corvid. HREGI provides excellent opportunities for our team to participate in local events, connect with others across the region, and contribute to the continued growth and success of Huntsville.
This article appears in the October 2026 issue of Initiatives magazine, a publication of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber.
