Ryan Smith
Cape Canaveral,FL
Summary
Dynamic engineering executive with over 25 years of industry experience, currently leading manufacturing process engineering at Blue Origin. Thrives in a startup culture characterized by rapid innovation, agility, and a hands-on approach to solving complex technical challenges. Experienced in leveraging artificial intelligence to optimize manufacturing work instructions and nonconformance resolution. Strong educational background and practical experience in battery chemistry and technology. Proficient in advanced materials engineering and scaling rapid development to high-rate manufacturing. A proven leader in building and scaling teams, driving innovation, and aligning engineering efforts with organizational goals in fast-paced, mission-driven environments.
Overview
23
23
years of professional experience
Work History
Director - Process Manufacturing Engineering
Blue Origin
02.2024 - Current
- Lead process manufacturing engineering for Blue Origin's products (launch vehicles, rocket engines, and human rated vehicles), including New Glenn, New Shepard, Lunar Lander, Engines, Blue Ring, and Orbital Reef in a startup environment that demands agility, rapid iteration, and customer experience focus
- Lead 170 person organization across three manufacturing sites located in Washington, Alabama, and Florida
- Spearheaded the integration of artificial intelligence to streamline content generation for manufacturing work instructions, collaborating closely with enterprise technology data scientists to harness advanced machine learning algorithms
- Partnered with executive leadership to align engineering efforts with strategic goals, driving operational improvements that enhanced customer satisfaction.
Director, M&P Engineering and Laboratories
Blue Origin
04.2022 - 03.2024
- Led materials and process engineering and laboratories in a rapidly evolving, startup environment, where flexibility and adaptability were crucial to scaling operations and meeting aggressive timelines
- Lead 75 person organization across two manufacturing sites located in Alabama and Florida.
Senior Production Manager, Materials & Processes
Blue Origin
02.2019 - 04.2022
- Managed the production and testing of materials in a startup culture focused on agility, resourcefulness, and rapid prototyping for aerospace systems, including thermal protection systems, friction stir welding, and composites manufacturing for spacecraft.
Group Manager - Human Factors/Industrial Engineering & Maintenance/Reliability
Jacobs
08.2018 - 02.2019
- Managed two teams within the Ground Project Management department: Human Factors/Industrial Engineering and Maintenance & Reliability
- Provided engineering services for ground systems capabilities, flight hardware processing, and launch operations at NASA Kennedy Space Center
- Supported programs including the International Space Station, Exploration Ground Systems (EGS), Space Launch System (SLS), Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle, and Launch Services.
Project Manager - Orion TPS Manufacturing
Jacobs
07.2015 - 02.2019
- Managed engineering projects under the Technical Operations Support Contract (TOSC), contributing to programs such as Orion, SLS, Ground Systems Development and Operations (GSDO), and the International Space Station (ISS)
- Oversaw Jacobs' contract with Lockheed Martin for manufacturing Thermal Protection System (TPS) materials for the Orion spacecraft, ensuring quality and compliance for Avcoat, tile, and other TPS elements
- Led project scope management, technical performance, risk mitigation, budget oversight, and scheduling.
Materials Scientist/Engineer
Zel Technologies
10.2010 - 07.2015
- Provided support to the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Directorate for Science and Technology, delivering technical collection capabilities and developing advanced materials in a high-stakes environment
- Held Top Secret clearance with SCI and maintained a counterintelligence polygraph.
Materials Engineer/Scientist
Boeing
01.2005 - 10.2010
- Led materials engineering optimization and failure analysis for the U.S
- Space Shuttle Program, covering various components and systems.
Engineering Technician
Siemens
02.2002 - 07.2003
- Optimized and analyzed test data for steel-alloy design specifications.
Education
Master of Science (MS) - Materials Science & Engineering
University of Florida
05.2010
Graduate Certificate - Materials Science & Failure Analysis
University of Central Florida
05.2007
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Space Systems - Engineering Technology
University of Central Florida
05.2005
Associate of Science (AS) - Chemical Technology
Eastern Florida State College
05.2005
Associate of Arts (AA) - General Studies
Eastern Florida State College
05.1999
Skills
- Engineering Leadership & Strategy
- Cross-functional Team Leadership
- Startup & Innovation Culture
- Program & Project Management
- Risk Management & Compliance
- Development and Transition to High Rate Production
- AI-Driven Manufacturing Optimization
- Process Optimization & Nonconformance Resolution
- Battery Technology & Chemistries
- Materials Science & Failure Analysis
Timeline
Director - Process Manufacturing Engineering
Blue Origin
02.2024 - Current
Director, M&P Engineering and Laboratories
Blue Origin
04.2022 - 03.2024
Senior Production Manager, Materials & Processes
Blue Origin
02.2019 - 04.2022
Group Manager - Human Factors/Industrial Engineering & Maintenance/Reliability
Jacobs
08.2018 - 02.2019
Project Manager - Orion TPS Manufacturing
Jacobs
07.2015 - 02.2019
Materials Scientist/Engineer
Zel Technologies
10.2010 - 07.2015
Materials Engineer/Scientist
Boeing
01.2005 - 10.2010
Engineering Technician
Siemens
02.2002 - 07.2003
Master of Science (MS) - Materials Science & Engineering
University of Florida
Graduate Certificate - Materials Science & Failure Analysis
University of Central Florida
Bachelor of Science (BS) - Space Systems - Engineering Technology
University of Central Florida
Associate of Science (AS) - Chemical Technology
Eastern Florida State College
Associate of Arts (AA) - General Studies
Eastern Florida State College
Similar Profiles
Shalini BaggaShalini Bagga
HR Knowledge Management Specialist at Blue OriginHR Knowledge Management Specialist at Blue Origin
RYAN HARPERRYAN HARPER
Tooling Engineering Technical Services Supervisor at Blue OriginTooling Engineering Technical Services Supervisor at Blue Origin
Daniel KinneyDaniel Kinney
Sr Director- Digital Solutions and Automation at Blue OriginSr Director- Digital Solutions and Automation at Blue Origin