Wertheim is a Private Consultant, Science Applications International Corporation, La Jolla, California, and a member of the Strategic Advisory Group, United States Strategic Command. He is the Retired Senior Vice President, Lockheed Corporation, 1981-1988.

During his 38-year naval career he participated in the conception and development of the Navy's submarine launched ballistic missile systems and served as Technical Director and as Director of Navy Strategic Systems Programs.

He is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, B.S. degree and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, M. S. degree. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Engineering; Sigma Xi and Tau Beta Pi; an honorary member of the American Society of Naval Engineers; and a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics.

His honors and awards include: the Distinguished Service Medal (two awards), the Legion of Merit, the 1972 Gold Medal of the American Society of Naval Engineers, the Rear Admiral William S. Parsons Award of the Navy League of the U.S.; the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Distinguished Public Service Award, and the Secretary of Defense Award for Outstanding Public Service. He was honored by the Naval Academy Alumni Association with its 2005 Distinguished Graduate Award and in 2006 was presented its Distinguished Submariner Award by the Navy Submarine League.