Brittany Kerr
Seattle,WA
Summary
Master of Science degree in Materials Science and Engineering with over 20 years experience as Materials and Processes (M&P) Engineer in NASA mission operations support, manufacturing, design, and research and development. Skills include materials and processes drawing review, trade studies, anomaly disposition and root cause analysis, and materials laboratory testing.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Materials and Processes Engineer
NASA
02.2019 - Current
- Responsible for materials and processes (M&P) safety across all NASA programs, including Orion, Gateway, International Space Station (ISS), Human Landing System (HLS), Commercial Crew Program (CCP), and VIPER.
- Reviews and approves M&P non-conformances, waivers, hazard verifications, MUAs, and OCAs for all programs.
- Performed adjudication of proposed alternate specifications of M&P and fastener requirements standards for HLS, Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV), and US De-orbit Vehicle (USDV)
- Performed Kaizen activity to overhaul procurement requirement specifications for raw materials, mechanical parts, and fasteners.
- Reviewed and approved reuse designs and inspection plans for SpaceX Dragon hardware components.
- Authored the M&P Control Plan and Corrosion Control Plan for the VIPER program.
- Created and maintained the M&P drawing notes for the VIPER program.
- Teaches a class on aerospace fasteners as part of a Metallurgy training series at Johnson Space Center.
Materials and Processes Engineer, Orion Program
Lockheed Martin Exploration and Science
01.2007 - 02.2019
- Orion Subsystem M&P Lead for Crew Systems, Hatches, and ECLSS; responsible for M&P support including materials selection, engineering evaluation, trade studies, and review and approval of flight drawings
- Fasteners Subject Matter Expert for Orion Program; responsible for selection, anomaly resolution, and real-time problem solving solutions
- Authored the Orion Materials and Processes Selection, Implementation and Control Plan, Electrical Discharge Machining specification, and created and maintained the M&P Standard Drawing Notes
- Performed real time problem resolution of fastener installation anomaly, including testing and development of an innovative solution, and lead a tiger team to root cause and corrective action.
- Experience in hardware failure analysis through destructive testing of flight hardware fasteners
- Created test plans and analyzed results for strength, toxicity, flammability, and outgassing properties
- Reviewed and approved subcontractor Material Identification Usage Lists (MIULs)
Researcher
NASA Johnson Space Center Nano Materials Laboratory
05.2008 - 03.2010
- Investigated the strengthening potential of single-walled carbon nanotubes in phenolic resin composite with respect to carbon nanotube concentration
- Analyzed phenolic resin composites via Raman load transfer, dynamic mechanical analysis, and scanning electron microscopy
Materials and Processes Engineer, Shuttle Program
The Boeing Company
04.2004 - 01.2007
- Space Shuttle Thermal Protection System (TPS) Vehicle Lead for Endeavour Orbiter
- Performed real-time engineering evaluation and disposition of discrepancies during shuttle tile manufacturing and orbiter maintenance
- Evaluated the effect of re-entry cycles on Reinforced Carbon-Carbon (RCC) mechanical properties through unique testing
- Served as on-orbit imagery analysis team lead for the RCC Leading Edge Structural Subsystem (LESS) during Shuttle mission operations
- Supported the resolution of in-flight TPS anomalies for Shuttle missions STS-114, 121 and 115
Photovoltaics Research and Development Intern
AstroPower
06.2003 - 08.2003
- Studied grain structure and defects in polycrystalline silicon semiconductors, determined the cause of defects and their effects on solar cell efficiency
- Created and performed processing experiments to increase solar cell efficiency based on knowledge of defects
Biomaterial Laboratory Researcher
University of Washington
05.2002 - 06.2003
- Key contributor in development of bone scaffold material using gel-cast processing technique
- Research included extensive experiment design and material property testing for mechanical strength and biocompatibility
Education
Master of Science - Materials Science And Engineering, GPA 3.6/4.0
University of Central Florida
Orlando, Florida05.2010
Bachelor of Science - Materials Science And Engineering, GPA 3.5/4.0
University of Washington
Seattle, Washington03.2004
Skills
- Lunar and Space Environment Materials and Processes Expertise
- Materials Laboratory Testing and Failure Analysis
- Aerospace Fasteners Expertise
- Corrosion Protection
- Spaceflight Hardware Drawing Review
- Elevated Oxygen Flammability
Timeline
Materials and Processes Engineer
NASA
02.2019 - Current
Researcher
NASA Johnson Space Center Nano Materials Laboratory
05.2008 - 03.2010
Materials and Processes Engineer, Orion Program
Lockheed Martin Exploration and Science
01.2007 - 02.2019
Materials and Processes Engineer, Shuttle Program
The Boeing Company
04.2004 - 01.2007
Photovoltaics Research and Development Intern
AstroPower
06.2003 - 08.2003
Biomaterial Laboratory Researcher
University of Washington
05.2002 - 06.2003
Master of Science - Materials Science And Engineering, GPA 3.6/4.0
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Science - Materials Science And Engineering, GPA 3.5/4.0
University of Washington
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