Michael Lee
Sparrows Point,MD
Summary
Aerospace technician with a strong commitment to overcoming challenges and achieving success in a dynamic industry. Proven expertise in troubleshooting and maintaining complex aerospace systems, contributing to enhanced operational efficiency. Demonstrated ability to adapt to evolving technologies and processes, ensuring compliance with industry standards. Recognized for delivering high-quality results under pressure while maintaining a focus on safety and precision.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Vehicle Integration Tech III
Rocket Lab
Middle River, Maryland
09.2024 - Current
- One of the first five technicians hired at the Rocket Lab Structural Space Center Facility
- Collaborated with engineering to build and install mold reinforcement to interface with automatic fiber placement machine
- Prepped, modified, and repaired carbon mold
- Layup, curing, trimming, drilling, and bonding of carbon fiber
- Worked with GSE to build fixtures to aid in flipping, stacking, and accessing tanks
- Member of thrust structure build team
- Precision drilling tapping, helicoil installation, 9394 wet install/liquid shims, torquing
- Installation of wiring harnesses, and fluids lines
- Test stand support, test stand reconfiguration, test stand dismantling
- Aided in facility preparation preproduction
- Crane, forklift, scissor lift, JLG operator
Composite Tech III
Firefly Aerospace
Briggs, Texas
09.2022 - 06.2024
- One of the first four techs to successfully build an Alpha tank.
- Collaborated with engineering to build and test early iterations of the current dome to barrel curing process in use at Firefly
- Alpha sloth baffle installation
- Trim and drill operations
- Metallics wet install tanks and thrust structure
- Cut and installed TPS on Alpha
- Deployed to Vandenberg Space force to execute a revision in Alpha Flight three Victus Nox Stage two RP tank
- Deployed to Vandenberg Space Force base for composites and TPS repairs on Alpha Flight four Fly the Lightning
- Installed domes on the first common dome dev
- Helped to build, rough cut, inject reinforcement foam and install inserts on Blue Ghost Mission one Ghost Riders in the Sky sandwich panels
- Installed domes, and executed a complex repair on MLV/Eclipse dev
- Helped to resolve various NCRs
- Crane, scissor lift, and forklift operator
CNC Gun Drill Operator / Saw Operator
Edro Engineering
Walnut, CA
11.2018 - 02.2022
- CNC gun drill operator (Hong Ji)
- Operation of 420, 700, 1080, 1300 (Armada Band Saws) and DoALL saws
- Cut stock to precise dimensions according to travelers to meet specifications and production timelines
- Pulled, organized, and labeled stock to streamline workflow and ensure easy access
- Performed routine maintenance on saws, including coolant checks, blade changes, and general housekeeping, to maintain optimal performance
Label Printer
Promark
Colton, CA
04.2012 - 09.2012
- Set up and operated 10-inch press for efficient production runs.
- Slit, organized, and pulled stock according to job tickets.
- Rewound, fan-folded, and packed products for timely shipment.
Aerospace Assembly
Composite Horizons
Covina, CA
06.2011 - 01.2012
- Carbon fiber layup bagging, and curing
- Precision grinding
- Testing and tracking data
- Carbon Fiber Tooling
Education
Certification - Precision Machining
Technical Employment Training Inc.
01-2014
Bench and Layout Certification
National Institute of Metalworkers Skills
CNC Milling Certification
National Institute of Metalworkers Skills
Certification
National Institute of Metalworkers Safety and Measurement
Certification - Prepress and Printing Press
Hacienda /La Puente Adult Education Program
01-2003
GED -
Aiea Community School For Adults
Aiea, HI05.1991
Skills
- Composites manufacturing
- Rocket manufacturing
- Aerospace manufacturing
- CNC operations
- Structure experience: locating, jigging, and drilling to specs
- Precision measurement tools
- Interpretation of blueprints
- Use of slitter / ream-cutting machines
- R&D qualification
- Team player
- Self-directed
- Organized
- Detail-oriented
- Conscientious
- Honest
- Trusted
Timeline
Vehicle Integration Tech III
Rocket Lab
09.2024 - Current
Composite Tech III
Firefly Aerospace
09.2022 - 06.2024
CNC Gun Drill Operator / Saw Operator
Edro Engineering
11.2018 - 02.2022
Label Printer
Promark
04.2012 - 09.2012
Aerospace Assembly
Composite Horizons
06.2011 - 01.2012
Certification - Precision Machining
Technical Employment Training Inc.
Bench and Layout Certification
National Institute of Metalworkers Skills
CNC Milling Certification
National Institute of Metalworkers Skills
Certification
National Institute of Metalworkers Safety and Measurement
Certification - Prepress and Printing Press
Hacienda /La Puente Adult Education Program
GED -
Aiea Community School For Adults