I'M
CHRISTOPHER NEWTON.
ENTREPRENEUR & ENGINEER
N
WITH OVER TWO DECADES ENTRENCHED IN THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY, I'VE HELD PIVOTAL ROLES AT SPACEX, VIRGIN ORBIT, AND RELATIVITY SPACE. BEYOND ENGINEERING, MY ENTREPRENEURIAL SPIRIT LED ME TO FOUND EPIPHANY SWS, A SOLAR WATER PURIFICATION VENTURE, AND APEIRON SPACE, A VENTURE REDEFINING THE NORMS OF THE ROCKET INDUSTRY. MY EXPERTISE HAS ALSO EXTENDED INTO CONSULTING, HELPING OTHERS TACKLE CHALLENGING PROBLEMS ACROSS THE ENERGY, AEROSPACE, MEDICAL, MANUFACTURING, AND HEAVY INDUSTRIAL SECTORS.
BEYOND THE CONFINES OF THE OFFICE, I'VE VENTURED INTO REALMS MOST ONLY DREAM ABOUT - FORMER CIRCUS PERFORMER, TRIATHLETE AND HALF-IRONMAN COMPETITOR, AND OFF-SHORE RACING.
I CONSISTENTLY FIND MYSELF FORGING A PATH TOWARDS A FUTURE WHERE BOUNDARIES ARE MEANT TO BE PUSHED.
01 Experience
2024-Current
ABL Space Systems
2023-Current
VP, Operations (Launch & Test)
Deployable rockets. Responsive launch.
NLA Engineering & Consulting
Cofounder & CEO
Engineering consulting and contracting services to a diverse range of industries, including energy, aerospace, hypersonics, orbital space flight, and manufacturing.
2023-2024
Apeiron
2018-2023
CEO & Co-founder
Aerospace development startup company.
Techstars portfolio company.
Relativity
Sr. Director of Launch & Infrastructure
Established and directed a team of more than 200+ members, overseeing EHS, Logistics, Security, Facilities, Infrastructure, Launch Engineering, and Launch Operations. Managed $1B+ in assets, guiding company development and operations for factories, offices, and launch sites. Successfully led teams through Stage 1 hotfire test campaign and launch readiness for the world's first fully 3D-printed orbital launch vehicle.
2017-2018
Virgin Orbit
2014-2017
Manager of Launch Operations
Led teams through prop and stage testing along with launch site hardware build and training in preparation for first flight ops.
SpaceX
Lead Launch Engineer
Responsible engineer for the development, build, and operation of launch sites. Led the development of the first Falcon Recovery Droneship (JRTI) and fairing catch vessel (Mr. Steven), and spearheaded testing of the world's largest carbon fiber tank for BFR.
2012-2014
Spinal Elements
2011-2012
Product Development Engineer
Led the development of the Mercury Total Spine product line, specializing in deformity and sacroiliac fixation, pioneered FDA approval for acceptance of models over destructive testing, and hold two patents for medical devices and surgical methods.
SpaceX
Launch Engineer
Responsible Engineer for the development and build of launch fluids systems at SLC-4.
2010-2011
IES
2009-2010
R&D and Test Engineer
Responsible for the development and build of test fixtures, and test operations, for the structural testing of Northrop's Global Hawk. Conducted case studies and development of zero-g propellant management devices, and part of core team responsible for development of LP-0A for Orbital's Antares launch site at Wallops.
Epiphany SWS
VP of Engineering & Co-founder
Startup venture that developed solar water purification through direct and micro-scale distillation by use of concentrated solar.
Hold patent for direct solar distillation unit.
2007-2009
IES
2002-2007
Florida State University
R&D Aerospace Mechanical Engineer
Analysis and development of slosh and anti-vortex for SpaceX & Blue Origin, and development of H2/Ox catalytic thrusters and designed-build of test fixtures and hardware for aerospace and industrial clients.
Grad School | Research Assistant
Development and testing of micro-jet injection techniques for jet-noise reduction, setup and operation of PIV systems, and development and build of a concentrated solar thermal power generation system.
CONTACT
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