Christopher Scott Email & Phone Number

Auckland, Nz

Auckland, New Zealand

The Electron Engineering Manager is responsible for developing and manufacturing all hardware engineering disciplines on the Electron launch vehicle, including propulsion, avionics, and mechanical systems. This role involves leading a multidisciplinary team of engineers to support production, ensure quality output, manage product risk, and develop innovative solutions to enhance product capability and meet market demands.Reporting to the VP of NZ Operations, this position oversees a… Show more The Electron Engineering Manager is responsible for developing and manufacturing all hardware engineering disciplines on the Electron launch vehicle, including propulsion, avionics, and mechanical systems. This role involves leading a multidisciplinary team of engineers to support production, ensure quality output, manage product risk, and develop innovative solutions to enhance product capability and meet market demands.Reporting to the VP of NZ Operations, this position oversees a team of 70, with 9 direct reports, and collaborates with business stakeholders to develop a product roadmap that maximizes market share and selects the best product improvements and features. As a technical leader, the manager defines and develops engineering processes and contributes significantly to the company QMS.Key Responsibilities and Achievements:- Integrated development and manufacturing engineering teams into a unified system and toolset for tactical work methods and integrated project scheduling.- Implemented a prioritization system for all engineering teams, standardizing prioritization metrics.- Key stakeholder and developer of the company risk process, defining philosophy and risk definitions.- Managed a complex high-voltage system architecture upgrade, new fairing variants, and recovery-focused development into production and flight.- Expanded the team by 30% over 1.5 years to support the ramp-up of Electron Production while reducing attrition to below industry standard levels.- Optimized the engineering change process to support Electron's industrialization.- Led the Flight 41 in-flight anomaly investigation team, serving as the primary PoC to regulators; completed the investigation and resumed launch in less than three months.- Responsible for technical approval at the Electron Risk Board, PLM Steering Group, and Electron Product Change Board.- Engaged ERP and PLM teams to streamline production systems, eliminating inefficiencies of "homegrown" solutions. Show less

Auckland, New Zealand

Brief Role Before Transition to Electron Engineering Manager:Key Responsibilities and Achievements:- Overhauled the Manufacturing Engineering department's prioritization and work methodology, enabling priority trading between departments and balancing product risk reduction with improvement opportunities.- Scoped requirements for the in-house MES (Manufacturing Engineering System) upgrade, engaging cross-functional stakeholders representing PLM and ERP tools and processes.-… Show more Brief Role Before Transition to Electron Engineering Manager:Key Responsibilities and Achievements:- Overhauled the Manufacturing Engineering department's prioritization and work methodology, enabling priority trading between departments and balancing product risk reduction with improvement opportunities.- Scoped requirements for the in-house MES (Manufacturing Engineering System) upgrade, engaging cross-functional stakeholders representing PLM and ERP tools and processes.- Stabilized and redefined the Manufacturing Engineering team's charter, scope, and responsibilities. Show less

New Zealand

This role is responsible for the design, development, and technical direction of the Rutherford liquid rocket engine, encompassing both the Stage 1 Rutherford and the vacuum-optimized Stage 2 variants. It involves leading a multidisciplinary team of engineers, assessing technical risks for the product and vehicle, identifying and implementing quality and performance improvements, and providing operational support for the Rutherford engine throughout its lifecycle.Key Responsibilities… Show more This role is responsible for the design, development, and technical direction of the Rutherford liquid rocket engine, encompassing both the Stage 1 Rutherford and the vacuum-optimized Stage 2 variants. It involves leading a multidisciplinary team of engineers, assessing technical risks for the product and vehicle, identifying and implementing quality and performance improvements, and providing operational support for the Rutherford engine throughout its lifecycle.Key Responsibilities and Achievements:- Led a team of 9 multidisciplinary engineers to develop product improvements, reducing product risk and increasing manufacturability.- Fostered relationships with the remote USA manufacturing team to successfully deploy improvements to the production line.- Served as the lead propulsion subject matter expert for production and launch operations for the Rutherford engine in case of abnormalities.- Acted as the Rutherford engine product owner, interfacing with all interconnected systems including GNC to ensure mission success.- Defined qualification and acceptance criteria based on customer mission requirements and SMC-025/SMC-016 standards.- Supported the development and migration of engine testing facilities as the primary engine stakeholder.- Led the team to deploy multiple major updates to engine sub-systems to increase production yield and mitigate product risks. Show less

New Zealand

This role includes leading the development and implementation of testing processes and best practice for the Rutherford liquid rocket engine (LRE) such as development, qualification and acceptance test protocols.The Rutherford is an in-service engine, this role supports the acceptance of production engines, qualification of the operational envelope and continuous improvement of performance and reliability. Key responsibilities and achievements in this role:- Technical leader… Show more This role includes leading the development and implementation of testing processes and best practice for the Rutherford liquid rocket engine (LRE) such as development, qualification and acceptance test protocols.The Rutherford is an in-service engine, this role supports the acceptance of production engines, qualification of the operational envelope and continuous improvement of performance and reliability. Key responsibilities and achievements in this role:- Technical leader for a team of 6 engineers, providing technical oversight, direction and mentoring- Defined and executed the qualification campaign for the Rutherford engine performance increase for the CAPSTONE mission in accordance with SMC-025- Was the engineer-in-charge of the propulsion test site for all operations and testing activities- Core team member in the Flight 21 in-flight anomaly investigation team as the propulsion expert. Total time from anomaly to resolution and re-flight was under 3 months.- Developed production engine sign-off criteria and process, personally signed off 50+ engines for flight- Developed, documented and implemented testing protocols for Rutherford engine and liquid oxygen (LOx) turbopump including investigative, qualification and acceptance.- Performed root cause analysis and failure investigation of failed production articles to support the development team to improve the product design.- Test site SME for troubleshooting of all test facilities including low voltage wiring, instrumentation and fluid P&IDs including - Electron stage operator for 10+ campaigns including performing the primary stage safety operator at the launch complex on occasion responsible for aborting the vehicle if remote control to Auckland was lost. Show less

Christchurch, New Zealand

The Systems Test Lead position was a combination of leadership and technical responsibility. In this role I lead a small team of engineers and technicians to provide testing operations for multiple Jetpacks in software, hardware and electrical power disciplines. The testing regimes covered by this role include: development of automated software regression testing, environmental testing of aircraft modules, design and flight test. These testing operations occurred both on the bench and… Show more The Systems Test Lead position was a combination of leadership and technical responsibility. In this role I lead a small team of engineers and technicians to provide testing operations for multiple Jetpacks in software, hardware and electrical power disciplines. The testing regimes covered by this role include: development of automated software regression testing, environmental testing of aircraft modules, design and flight test. These testing operations occurred both on the bench and in the field to enable aircraft prototype design and development activities. Show less

Christchurch

In this position my responsibilities included preparing test plans, execution of tests, oversight of testing, data review and reporting. My field of involvement was predominantly the testing of electrical systems with particular emphasis placed on the flight control system. In addition to the electrical systems I was required to conduct testing on the electro-mechanical interfaces such as the pilot input inceptors.At points in this role I was required to lead of a team of technicians… Show more In this position my responsibilities included preparing test plans, execution of tests, oversight of testing, data review and reporting. My field of involvement was predominantly the testing of electrical systems with particular emphasis placed on the flight control system. In addition to the electrical systems I was required to conduct testing on the electro-mechanical interfaces such as the pilot input inceptors.At points in this role I was required to lead of a team of technicians and other engineers to complete a test program while interfacing with external test contractors. Show less

Christchurch

I was seconded to this position from the Design Substantiation role to provide support to the P12 display aircraft. My responsibilities while in this position included reviewing and realizing product improvement ideas, analyzing flight control code, providing SME support for flight controls during test and display flights as well as acting as the electrical system owner.During my time in this position the P12 aircraft and team conducted display flights in China, Wanaka and Christchurch… Show more I was seconded to this position from the Design Substantiation role to provide support to the P12 display aircraft. My responsibilities while in this position included reviewing and realizing product improvement ideas, analyzing flight control code, providing SME support for flight controls during test and display flights as well as acting as the electrical system owner.During my time in this position the P12 aircraft and team conducted display flights in China, Wanaka and Christchurch to market our product. All three of these flights were resounding successes, impressing all in attendance. Show less

Palmerston North

My responsibilities included technical data preparation and substantiation for aircraft frames and components of vintage aircraft. This was completed to era-appropriate reference material to ensure continued component suitability for application. The work was conducted under a CAA Part 146 certified Substantiation Engineer.

Airport Drive, Palmerston North

In this role I was involved with company improvement projects, assisting in avionics inspections with senior avionics technicians and technical documentation maintenance.

Smiths City Market

In this position I was responsible for stock throughput into the store, managing customer orders as well as maintaining a safe and tidy work environment.

I worked in retail across all departments in the store, I had versatility enough to be able to serve customers effectively regardless of department.

Master Of Engineering (Meng), Mechatronics, Robotics, And Automation Engineering

Bacholer Of Engineering Honours, Mechatronics, Robotics, And Automation Engineering, Second Calss First Divsion Honours

Activities and Societies: President of TCOSY (Terminal Computer Overuse Syndrome in the Youth) 2010, 2012, 2013 Player and tutor.

Education record

Activities and Societies: Pipe Band, Squash team, Soccer team, Squash tutor