About Me

My career in aerospace engineering began with a fascination for the fundamental physics that govern flight, both in Earth's atmosphere and the vast expanse of space. This curiosity led me through rigorous academic training at UCLA and Caltech, where I developed a deep appreciation for the mathematical elegance underlying complex aerospace systems.

Over the past 8+ years, I've had the privilege of working on cutting-edge spacecraft systems that push the boundaries of what's possible in space exploration. From developing next-generation propulsion systems to leading the integration of machine learning into safety-critical flight software, my work sits at the intersection of theoretical innovation and practical engineering.

What sets my approach apart is the combination of deep technical expertise with strategic leadership experience. As a Chief of Staff, I've learned to translate between the language of engineering excellence and business objectives, ensuring that technical innovation drives real organizational value.

I believe the most elegant engineering solutions emerge from a deep understanding of first principles combined with creative problem-solving. Whether designing a propulsion system or optimizing a control algorithm, I start with the fundamental physics and mathematics, then build upward to practical implementations.

"The best engineering solutions are those that are simultaneously innovative and inevitable – they feel like the natural consequence of understanding the problem deeply."

This philosophy has guided my work on projects ranging from autonomous spacecraft systems to organizational process optimization. In each case, success comes from balancing theoretical rigor with practical constraints, always keeping the end goal of advancing human capabilities in space.

Technical leadership requires more than engineering expertise – it demands the ability to inspire teams, navigate complexity, and make decisions under uncertainty. My approach centers on three core principles:

• Empowerment through Understanding: The best teams are those where everyone understands both the technical details and the broader mission context.
• Data-Driven Decision Making: While intuition is valuable, the most important decisions should be grounded in rigorous analysis and clear metrics.
• Continuous Learning: The aerospace industry evolves rapidly, and staying at the forefront requires a commitment to ongoing learning and adaptation.

These principles have enabled me to lead successful cross-functional teams, manage complex technical projects, and drive innovation while maintaining the safety and reliability standards critical in aerospace applications.

While aerospace engineering is my profession, my interests extend well beyond the technical realm. I'm an avid photographer, particularly drawn to capturing the beauty of aerospace subjects – from aircraft in flight to the subtle dance of satellites across the night sky.

I also maintain a private pilot certificate and enjoy aerobatic flying, which provides both a practical understanding of flight dynamics and a healthy respect for the systems I design. There's something profoundly humbling about experiencing firsthand the forces and phenomena that we model in our engineering work.

These diverse experiences inform my engineering work in unexpected ways, providing new perspectives on familiar problems and reminding me that the best solutions often come from drawing connections between seemingly unrelated fields.