# Ryan Smith (IMSAR)

**Type:** person
**Status:** Draft
**Confidence:** Medium
**Focus:** RF engineering, synthetic aperture radar, defense technology, hardware startups
**Location:** Utah Valley, UT
**Updated:** 2026-06-19

## Summary

Ryan Smith is the founder and CEO of [IMSAR](imsar.md), a Utah Valley company that designs and manufactures miniaturized synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems for unmanned aerial vehicles and other platforms. Smith holds BYU electrical engineering degrees and previously worked as a lead RF engineer at [Wavetronix](wavetronix.md), creating a visible Utah radar engineering lineage. His decision to build a hardware-first defense-tech company in Utah Valley — rather than near traditional defense hubs — is a useful data point for founders in that space.

## Impact

IMSAR demonstrates that serious defense hardware can be developed and manufactured in Utah. Smith's background — BYU engineering, Wavetronix RF work, then IMSAR — represents an increasingly common Utah path: deep domain engineering expertise developed locally, then applied to a differentiated product in a high-value niche. The company's facility in Utah Valley houses corporate office, R&D, and in-house manufacturing under one roof, which is an unusual integration for a small defense supplier.

## What They Offer

Deep RF engineering expertise, experience building a hardware startup in Utah with in-house manufacturing, and familiarity with defense procurement and UAS payload markets. Relevant for founders working in RF, radar, sensors, or defense technology.

## What They Are Looking For

Not known from public sources. Inference: engaged with RF and radar engineering, defense-tech partnerships, and UAS payload development. Utah defense tech ecosystem events may be a path.

## Proof of Work

- Founder and CEO, IMSAR — miniaturized SAR for UAS, established defense supplier
- Prior: lead RF engineer, Wavetronix (Utah radar sensor company)
- BYU electrical engineering degrees

## Good Fits

RF and radar engineers building defense hardware; founders navigating defense procurement and UAS payload markets; Utah engineering talent exploring deep-tech career paths.

## Public Connection Path

IMSAR official channels and Utah defense-tech events.

## Evidence

- [IMSAR](imsar.md)

## See Also

- [IMSAR](imsar.md)
- [Wavetronix](wavetronix.md) — Utah radar company where Smith worked as lead RF engineer

## Open Questions

- What is IMSAR's current customer mix and growth trajectory?
- Is Smith publicly available for ecosystem conversations or focused primarily on the company?