The global company announced on Monday Dr Nelson would be the next president of Boeing Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific.

Dr Nelson will start in the role on February 11, with a transition period with outgoing boss Maureen Dougherty, who is retiring.

"Boeing is proud to have Brendan join our team after his many years of outstanding public and private sector service," said Sir Michael Arthur, president of Boeing International in a statement.

"His proven ability to understand and manage complex situations - first as a medical doctor, later as a government leader and diplomat - will be put to good use as he leads Boeing Australia, the company's largest presence outside the US and home to a large engineering and technical staff."

Dr Nelson announced he was stepping down from the Australian War Memorial last year, with former deputy commissioner of Australia's High Commission in the United Kingdom Matthew Anderson taking on the role.

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The memorial attracted criticism during Dr Nelson's tenure as director for taking donations for weapons companies, with some activists believing it was inappropriate to accepts funds from companies who profit from war.

Boeing has been a donor to the memorial for a number of years, donating $500,000 to the institution for an exhibition on the Afghanistan war.

Dr Nelson rejected such criticism, believing it was the duty of such companies to donate to the memorial.