DANIEL LATHROP

Designed and fabricated an engine test cart.

Designed and fabricated a component stand.

Created GSE workshop and clean room area.

Performed research and development testing for aerospace components.

Performed research and development for engine and chamber testing.

I was the acting project manager for the portable hypergolic engine stand. Research and quoted components, fittings, hardware, and materials.

Help design and fabricate a portable hypergolic engine stand.

Created an inventory system using the Excel program.

• Developed detailed project plans and tracked progress against goals.
• Collaborated with cross-functional teams to identify areas of improvement in processes related to project execution.
• Recommended strategies for optimizing efficiency while still meeting organizational objectives.

• Completed and implemented projects by overseeing the design, fabrication, installation, and project planning of multiple stands, including the Structure Stand, Component Stand, 1st & 2nd stage Stand, Helium shed, and COPV testing stand.
• Ensured smooth operations and availability of necessary resources by managing shop inventory, fittings, components, and tooling.
• Improved skills and enhanced productivity among the team by training engineers and technicians on test systems, fabrication techniques, job planning, and proper tool usage.
• Facilitated efficient project planning by working with engineers to create accurate bills of materials for full systems or full system test stands.
• Lowered production time and optimized workflow by creating and fabricating special tooling, such as 2-panel stands, 2 mobile tube benders, and a GSE mobile cart for facing and flaring.
• Enabled easy retrieval of inventory items by creating inventory system via Excel program and implementing color codes and bin locations for over 10K pieces.
• Eliminated fuel waste during testing and saved the company millions of dollars by building fuel return system for the stage stand.
• Created a mobile 6k Helium cart, specifically designed for testing system functions and conducting leak checks for the Blue Ghost moon lander.
• Engineered and built a mobile Lox flight valve cart, capable of testing flight valves at Lox temperatures for flight vehicles.
• Increased helium pressure and pressure speed by researching, developing, and installing high-pressure Hydro-Pac system at the stand.
• Realized 11-fold boost in the efficiency of testing check valves by fabricating mobile IPA bath check Valve cart.
• Constructed launch site for the first flight at Vandenburg Air Force Base, California within six months by working with cross-functional teams.

• Manufactured different sizes of tubing for over 50 space flight missions across multiple on-site locations while ensuring precise construction and adherence to quality standards.
• Rolled out complex aerospace systems by creating, installing, and fabricating system components and two full test facilities.
• Facilitated successful operation and performance of critical systems by handling tube construction, component selection, and testing for a wide range of systems, including pneumatics, GN2, helium, liquid oxygen, gaseous oxygen, RP1 fuel, nitrogen tetroxide, triethyl borane, methane, and hydraulics.
• Advanced space exploration by building second-stage structures, Raptor engines, Falcon 9 rockets, and Dragon stands/fly tests.
• Reduced downtime by investigating and successfully resolving 26 projects involving unaccounted or missing components.
• Assured reliable and efficient operations by producing multiple test panels via appropriate materials for all required systems, including fittings, O-rings, seals, and gaskets.
• Attended classes to learn 5S methodology (sort, set in order, shine, standardize, sustain) for teaching and promoting a clean, organized, and efficient work environment.
• Successfully dismantled the entire Spaceport America New Mexico site by effectively separating, loading, and shipping materials to other locations as required.
• Elevated performance reliability by constructing complex helium and GN2 test panels specifically designed for landing leg functions in California.
• Completed project within time by replacing pre-cut, drilling, and missing components panel with a medium-pressure version as per engineer blueprints precisely in decimals and maintaining component-to-component spacing.
• Reduced expenses by $200K per day for the company by guiding launch facility lox system for COPV (Composite Overwrapped Pressure Vessel) testing.
• Raised efficiency in testing processes by creating specialized $300K test cart that increased the testing ratio from 1 to 12 components and leveraging only 3D pictures as references.
• Streamlined the assembly process by developing optimal piping and plumbing supply systems for test panel builds, including separating, arranging, and labeling over 200 fittings in bin locations through part numbers.

• Eliminated turret, engine, and interior components, including upper and lower fuel cells with cabling and relays to advance Bradley project's timeline.
• Enhanced vehicle functionality by upgrading fittings, installing batteries, wiring, relays, and interior stowage, along with upper and lower fuel cells.
• Realized highest production rate at each site for three consecutive years by directing cross-functional teams.