Aaron Kirkpatrick
About Aaron Kirkpatrick
Aaron Kirkpatrick is a Tooling Engineer III at BLUE ORIGIN with extensive experience in mechanical system design and project management.
Current Role at BLUE ORIGIN
Aaron Kirkpatrick currently holds the position of Tooling Engineer III at BLUE ORIGIN. Since joining the company in 2020, he has been actively involved in overseeing the design and implementation of tooling solutions required for aerospace manufacturing processes. His role demands expertise in CAD software and a hands-on approach to design projects, ensuring the timely execution of high-quality tooling systems.
Previous Experience at Electroimpact
Before joining BLUE ORIGIN, Aaron Kirkpatrick spent a decade at Electroimpact, where he served as a Mechanical Project Engineer from 2010 to 2020. During his tenure, he specialized in mechanical system design, integrating pneumatic, servo, and electronic elements using CATIA and SolidWorks. He contributed significantly to project management, coordinating teams of technicians and engineers, and ensuring the timely delivery and installation of automation solutions.
Education and Expertise in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
Aaron Kirkpatrick earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington, completing his studies between 2006 and 2010. His academic background laid a strong foundation for his technical skills in areas like Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), Finite Element Analysis (FEA), and mechanical system design.
Experience Using Advanced Engineering Software
Aaron Kirkpatrick is proficient in several advanced engineering software tools. He excels in using CATIA and SolidWorks for creating detailed mechanical designs. Additionally, he is skilled in employing ANSYS and SpaceClaim for conducting Finite Element Analysis (FEA), allowing him to evaluate stress, deflection, dynamic loading, and modal response in various engineering projects.
Background in Research and Development
Earlier in his career, Aaron Kirkpatrick worked as a Research Assistant at both the University of Washington and the HIT-SI Research Group from 2009 to 2010. His research roles involved contributing to the development of innovative engineering solutions and gaining hands-on experience in assembling and installing design projects. This background has equipped him with a comprehensive understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of engineering.