He took a job with Bell Telephone Laboratories and worked there from 1950 to 1970, eventually becoming executive director for communications research. Following the resignation of Lee A. DuBridge, David was appointed as Richard Nixon's science advisor.[1] David resigned in 1973, citing "disappointment that his advice had not been heeded."[2] He then took a position as executive vice president of R&D and planning at Gould Electronics from 1973 to 1977.
He founded consulting group EED, Inc. in 1977, advising industry, government, and universities on technology, research, and innovation management. He was the president of research and engineering at Exxon from 1977 to 1986.[3][4] In 1983, he was awarded the IRI Medal from the Industrial Research Institute in recognition for his leadership contributions. He joined the Washington Advisory Group in 1997, serving as treasurer until 2004. He also served as director of Ronson.
David was also active in public service to his adopted state, serving on the board of the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology (NJCST)[8] alongside William O. Baker, his former vice president at Bell Labs. In 1982, while still at Exxon, David was appointed by Governor Thomas Kean to the governor's study commission that led to formation of the NJCST.[9] Once the NJCST became a statutory agency with responsibility for the state's programs in science & technology-based economic development in 1985, David was re-appointed to its board and served as chair of its budget committee. During this period, he also chaired the Governor's Roundtable on (High-Temperature) Superconductivity,[10] which was staffed by the NJCST. He left the NJCST board in 1990.[11]
^"Report of the Governor's Commission on Science and Technology for the State of New Jersey" Edward Barr, Chairman. December 1983.
^"Governor's Roundtable On Superconductivity, Report and recommendations to the Honorable Thomas H. Kean, Governor, State of New Jersey, Dr. Edward E. David Jr., Chairman." May 1, 1989.
^"Annual Report of the New Jersey Commission on Science and Technology, Covering Fiscal Year Ending July 1, 1990." February 15, 1991.