Personal: Male. Born in USA.

Frank E. Goddard, Jr. was a long-time employee of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, having held positions as chief of the high-speed wind tunnel section, chief of the aerodynamics division, and chief of the aerodynamic and propellants department, before assuming duties from 1959 to 1961 as assistant director for NASA relations, with offices in NASA Headquarters. He then became director of planning back at JPL and, in 1962, assistant laboratory director for research and advanced development.