Benjamin Steffens Email & Phone Number

Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States

Technical professional and SME concerning aircraft structures, materials, and sustainment of aerospace systems.

Us Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Co

Directed operations of $38M Mechanical Engineering laboratory for US Air Force Academy. Faculty member and assistant professor of Mechanical Engineering teaching structural, material, manufacturing and component design curriculum.

Warner Robins, Georgia, United States

Life Cycle Management Center - Metals Technology OfficeLeveraging new and existing fabrication, repair and joining techniques to perform aircraft and ground support equipment sustainment more efficiently and effectively - both in established back shops and in deployed locations.Additive manufacturing in polymers, metallics and cold spray repairs represented many of the new technologies being vetted for use with our efforts at AFMTO.

Warner Robins, Georgia, United States

Life Cycle Management Center - Corrosion Prevention and Control

Bam - Federal Institute For Materials Testing And Analysis, Berlin Area, Germany

Studying the effects of hydrogen on high strength steels with aerospace applications

Us Air Force Academy, Colorado Springs, Co

Dayton, Ohio, United States

Masters of Science and Engineering focused on composite materials used in turbine blade design

Edwards Afb, California

• Lead military engineer on liquid rocket engine turbopump test facility design and buildupFacility designed to flow high volumes of liquid hydrogen through the test article. This was a major endeavor that took 3 years to complete. Much design consideration for safety when dealing with highly energetic cryogenic fuel. Successfully tested the turbopump in late 2010 – validated $110M spacelift model.• Program Manager for cooperative with Pratt Whitney to develop new hypergol thruster techReinvigorated a dormant facility to test new hypergol thruster. Reinstituted new safety plan, test plan, and explosive site plan. Rebuilt facility fire suppression system, Helium purge system, and facility electrical system in the test cell. Successfully tested 4 thruster designs in early 2010 to validate new missile defense thruster design.

Edwards Afb, California

• Hands-on lab work to develop new methods to produce higher performance catalystNew deposition technique that deposited Iridium, Palladium and other precious metals onto special ceramic substrates. New technique decreases process time by 50% and the technology would increase the surface area on the substrate by over 100% - Ultimately lowering takeoff weight and increased thrust dramatically.• Worked with team to develop health monitoring program for solid rocket motorsEmbedded special sensors on the propellant/case boundary to monitor internal material stresses which effectively could predict the condition of the propellant in the case over its lifecycle. This was stemmed from the preservation of our aging stocks of Minuteman missiles – this concept could potentially save USAF millions in NDE and effectively give us a better stance in weapon readiness.

Boise, Idaho Area

- Journeyman prototype machinist - knowledgeable in all metalworking methods- High-precision tolerances (+/- .0001”) regularly requested and attained

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Mechanical Engineering

Dr. Ing., Materials Science, Magna Cum Laude

Master'S Degree, Materials Science And Engineering, 3.4

Associate Of Science (As), Machine Tool Technology/Machinist