Director, Flight Systems | BLUE ORIGIN

---

As the Director of Flight Systems at Blue Origin, I lead a multidisciplinary organization of approximately 60 engineers, scientists, and R&D professionals committed to advancing autonomous spaceflight. I truly enjoy the challenge of driving innovation, developing cutting-edge technologies, and fostering technical excellence across diverse domains.

Collaborating closely with business unit leaders, program management, finance, and human resources, I align technical roadmaps with strategic objectives. By setting clear milestones, defining key performance indicators (KPIs), and managing to an Annual Operating Plan (AOP), I help ensure our teams deliver impactful solutions on time and within budget. Over the past four years, I have had the privilege of significantly expanding the Flight Systems team, tripling its span and scope by creating a clear vision, securing stakeholder support, and recruiting exceptional talent.

I oversee several critical teams, each exploring and pushing the boundaries of technology:

• Navigation Engineering – I have enjoyed guiding my team through the development of NAVI, a revolutionary navigation avionics system, from concept to flight. Starting with a “clean-sheet” design, the team designed and tested multiple prototypes before achieving production success. NAVI now serves as a standard Line Replacement Unit (LRU) for all Blue Origin launch vehicles, successfully flying on both New Shepard and New Glenn. Our efforts included implementing modern software architecture, adopting AGILE methodologies, and adhering to rigorous DO-178C certification processes to meet human flight-rated avionics standards. My role also involves leading program management, sensor fusion design using Kalman filters, and embedding software within space systems.
• Fluids Analysis Engineering – This team specializes in computational simulations for aerodynamics, fuel slosh dynamics, plume impingement, and acoustics. With a strong collaborative effort, we transitioned Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to the cloud, significantly improving accessibility and reducing analysis cycle times. The team also supports wind tunnel testing and designs complex fluid systems for launch vehicles.
• Modeling & Simulation – Together, we lead the development of enterprise-wide capabilities in real-time simulation, CFD, Digital Twins, and flight software validation. By implementing cloud-based parallelized Monte Carlo simulations, our team accelerated day-of-flight performance predictions by 85%.
• Hardware-In-the-Loop (HIL) Labs – Managing five HIL labs, I work with my team and stakeholders to ensure rigorous system integration testing of vehicle flight software and hardware. The labs maintain high safety and quality standards while supporting avionics hardware production and capital projects.
• DaVinci Lab – Directing Blue Origin's premier R&D facility has been a rewarding endeavor. This 45,000-square-foot lab focuses on low-TRL research, fostering innovation in robotics, hydrogen fuel cells, additive manufacturing, and life support systems. The lab generates over 10 patents annually to support future missions!

Across all these teams, I enjoy mentoring individuals, collaborating cross-functionally, and cultivating a culture of innovation to ensure mission success. Working at Blue Origin is not just about leading teams—it's about shaping the future of spaceflight and contributing to humanity's pursuit of the stars.

As Director of Innovation and Product Development at FlightSafety International, a global leader in flight simulation and pilot training, I enjoyed leading the company’s innovation strategy to drive the development of new products, expand into new markets, and embrace digital transformation. My work spanned business planning, technology development, and operational improvements, with a particular focus on both commercial and defense industries.

Collaborating with the executive leadership team, I developed business plans for new product lines by presenting cost analyses, evaluating market potential, and outlining production roadmaps. I took pride in securing approval for key initiatives that expanded FlightSafety’s presence across commercial and defense sectors.

One of my most rewarding projects was leading the digital transformation of FlightSafety’s enterprise-wide virtual cockpit training system. By transitioning this critical training platform to the cloud, we significantly enhanced system performance and accessibility for customers while positioning the company for scalable growth.

I also led a $2M clean-sheet redesign of the company’s flagship flight simulator. This initiative achieved a 20% reduction in unit costs, a 15% decrease in operating expenses, and a 40% weight reduction—all while preserving the highest standards of fidelity and performance. Additionally, I worked closely with teams on continuous improvement initiatives, streamlining production processes to reduce costs and shorten delivery cycles.

Managing FlightSafety’s intellectual property portfolio was another key aspect of my role. I enjoyed identifying and evaluating new technologies to commercialize, and I was honored to become FlightSafety’s first patent holder, exemplifying the company’s dedication to innovation.

Furthermore, I directed the company’s R&D strategy, overseeing 31 development programs simultaneously while managing budgets, schedules, and performance metrics. Working alongside Agile, cross-functional teams, I guided projects from concept to Minimum Viable Product (MVP), developing competitive product roadmaps to break into new markets.

Collaborating closely with government and defense partners, I contributed to winning proposals, conducted buy-vs-build trade studies, and ensured compliance with security requirements. My 15+ years of holding a Security Clearance enabled me to support defense-related initiatives seamlessly.

Throughout my tenure, I enjoyed working directly with customers to understand their needs and ensure successful product delivery. These collaborative efforts reinforced FlightSafety’s reputation as a trusted leader in high-fidelity simulation and training solutions.

As Product Director at FlightSafety International, a global leader in flight simulation and pilot training, I had the privilege of leading the commercialization of MissionFit™, an innovative training product that redefined the flight simulation industry. What began as a “clean-sheet” R&D project turned into a fully realized, revenue-generating product line, offering solutions that helped reduce flight school operating costs and increase pilot throughput.

I enjoyed managing the entire product lifecycle, which included customer engagement, business strategy, marketing, sales, finance, production, sustainment, and regulatory compliance. Collaborating with internal teams, I focused on refining design and production processes to make MissionFit™more accessible to customers. Together, we successfully reduced unit costs by over 20%, while maintaining high standards of performance and quality.

One of my most rewarding experiences was spearheading go-to-market efforts for MissionFit™, integrating it into FlightSafety’s main simulator production line and working with teams to develop marketing campaigns, set pricing strategies, and secure customer adoption. By partnering with stakeholders, we delivered MissionFit™ to FlightSafety’s global learning centers, enhancing training capabilities and making it a core offering for both commercial and government customers.

Beyond product execution, I worked alongside business development teams to write proposals, liaise with regulators, and create financial projection models that supported long-term growth. I also helped establish a sustainment infrastructure to provide ongoing post-delivery support, ensuring customer success and reinforcing FlightSafety’s reputation for innovation.

I regularly collaborated with C-suite executives to provide updates on business strategy, financial performance, and market opportunities. Working together, we successfully positioned MissionFit™ as a next-generation flight training technology, creating a new revenue-generating product line for FlightSafety.

News Articles:

• MissionFit: FlightSafety’s New Reconfigurable “Glass Canvas” FTD
• The Making of Exceptional Pilots
• FlightSafety International Launches MissionFit™, A New Advanced Technology Interactive Training System
• RFDS Selects FlightSafety's MissionFit Training Device
• Royal Flying Doctor Service Adds FlightSafety’s MissionFit to its Pilatus PC-12NG Training Program
• FlightSafety’s MissionFit aims to raise standards

As the founder of FlightSafety’s first dedicated Research & Development (R&D) organization, the Simulation Innovation Lab, I had the opportunity to turn a vision into reality—securing corporate support, assembling a talented multidisciplinary team, and driving advancements in flight simulation technology. The lab was established to explore and develop state-of-the-art training systems, technologies, and products, ultimately leading to the creation of MissionFit™, a transformative flight training solution.

I took an unconventional approach to innovation by carefully selecting six engineers from diverse disciplines and creating an environment designed to foster fresh thinking. By physically separating the team from FlightSafety’s main simulator factory and providing new tools, email accounts, and a blank slate, we were able to break free from traditional constraints. Over two years, we embraced rapid prototyping and Agile development methodologies, evolving from concept to prototype to a fully realized Minimum Viable Product (MVP).

Working closely with customers was a particularly rewarding part of this role. I organized and facilitated customer focus groups to gather valuable real-world feedback, ensuring MissionFit™ addressed the needs of its users. These collaborative efforts contributed to multiple company awards, including the honor of being named FlightSafety’s Innovator of the Year.

Key accomplishments during this time included:

• Securing FlightSafety’s first patent, marking a milestone in the company’s intellectual property portfolio.
• Developing new competencies in cloud computing, IoT, distributed networking, model-based design, machine learning, computer vision, graphical engines, and wireless communications, many of which influenced other FlightSafety product lines.
• Providing regular updates to executive leadership, including the CEO, CFO, and Executive Vice President, on R&D progress, business impact, and strategic opportunities.
• Managing the lab’s annual labor and capital expenditures (CapEx) budget, ensuring resources were allocated effectively and costs were controlled.

Through collaboration and teamwork, the Simulation Innovation Lab reimagined how flight simulators were designed and built, demonstrating that bold, customer-focused innovation could drive meaningful advancements in pilot training technology.

As FlightSafety’s Subject Matter Expert on helicopter flight simulation, I was fortunate to contribute to advancements in high-fidelity helicopter simulation, helping to shape industry standards and regulatory frameworks while working with teams to expand into new markets.

One of the most rewarding projects I participated in was the development of the world’s first real-time, high-fidelity helicopter simulation software model—also known as a Digital Twin—approved by the FAA at their highest qualification standard (Level D). This achievement positioned FlightSafety as an industry leader in helicopter flight simulation and earned recognition for excellence.

To support this milestone, I worked closely with teams to develop new flight test processes and Digital Twin development techniques, enabling the production of advanced helicopter simulators. This effort opened new market opportunities, including the creation of the world’s first reverse engineered Level D helicopter simulator for the EC-135, an accomplishment that also received industry accolades.

I enjoyed leading complete flight test programs for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters, which included:

• Planning test points, procedures, and parameterization.
• Overseeing instrumentation and calibration of aircraft to ensure accurate data collection.
• Coordinating and executing flight tests, while assigning daily test operations and maneuvers.
• Developing a formal Safety Management System to assess and mitigate risks during test operations.

In my role as Technical Lead for all helicopter simulators at FlightSafety, I collaborated with teams to:

• Develop the software modeling and simulation standards used in FlightSafety military and commercial helicopter programs (~23% of annual sales).
• Create the validation framework for Digital Twins to ensure FAA qualification standards were met.
• Drive the commercialization of helicopter simulation, including flight test programs, data analytics, and human-in-the-loop testing.

Beyond these technical contributions, I was honored to work on shaping global aerospace flight simulator regulatory standards. As a founding member of the ICAO 9625 industry working group, I participated in defining the FAA 14 CFR Part 60 helicopter regulatory standard, which continues to influence the industry. Collaborating with global regulatory authorities (FAA, CAA, EASA, UK Civil Aviation Authority) and working closely with commercial and defense partners such as the U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force, we delivered mission-critical simulation solutions.

Additional contributions included:

• Mentoring a small team of engineers while overseeing multiple helicopter simulator projects.
• Publishing and presenting technical papers at industry conferences, two of which received national awards.

Through collaboration, innovation, and teamwork, I was proud to be part of a group that advanced helicopter flight simulation into a high-fidelity science, supporting FlightSafety’s success in both commercial and defense arenas.