Rick Alcalá
About Rick Alcalá
Rick Alcalá is a System Safety Engineer with experience in ensuring safety for NASA missions. He has worked at Bastion Technologies, Inc. since 2020 and previously served as Mission Assurance Manager at Southwest Research Institute for ten years.
Work at Bastion Technologies
Rick Alcalá has been employed at Bastion Technologies, Inc. since 2020, serving as a System Safety Engineer. In this role, he interfaces with launch vehicle personnel to facilitate a seamless transition from the spacecraft team. His responsibilities include developing project-specific training that addresses known hazards associated with NASA missions. He has also presented safety deliverables to the CYGNSS Payload Safety Working Group, contributing to the safety protocols of space missions.
Previous Experience at Southwest Research Institute
Prior to joining Bastion Technologies, Rick Alcalá worked at the Southwest Research Institute as a Mission Assurance Manager from 2010 to 2020. During his decade-long tenure in the San Antonio, Texas area, he focused on ensuring mission assurance for various projects. His experience in this role equipped him with a strong foundation in safety management and risk assessment in aerospace contexts.
Education and Expertise
Rick Alcalá holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from The University of Texas-Pan American. His educational background provides him with a solid understanding of engineering principles, which he applies in his current role as a System Safety Engineer. His expertise includes tailoring Expendable Launch Vehicle Payload Safety requirements, particularly for the CYGNSS mission.
Safety Initiatives and Contributions
In his professional capacity, Rick Alcalá has tailored safety requirements for the CYGNSS mission, ensuring compliance with established safety protocols. He has developed training programs that address specific hazards related to NASA missions, enhancing the safety culture within the organization. His contributions to safety deliverables have been presented to key stakeholders, including the CYGNSS Payload Safety Working Group.