Darrell Donaldson
About Darrell Donaldson
Darrell Donaldson is an Integration Engineer at Blue Origin with extensive experience in aerospace and aviation, including roles in R&D and composite fabrication.
Company
Darrell Donaldson is currently working at Blue Origin as an Integration Engineer. Based in Kent, WA, he has been with the company since 2015. Prior to this, he held various roles in the aviation industry, contributing his extensive experience in composite fabrication, aircraft assembly, and research and development.
Title
Darrell holds the position of Integration Engineer at Blue Origin. His role involves significant technical expertise and responsibility within the aerospace sector, leveraging over two decades of hands-on experience in the field.
Career Background
Darrell's career includes notable roles at several organizations. He worked at Carter Aerospace Development as an R&D Foreman/Lead Composite Fabricator from 2011 to 2014 in Wichita Falls, Texas, and at TNT Aviation, LLC as an R&D Foreman/Aircraft Mechanic from 2009 to 2011 in Bend, Oregon. Darrell also served as Composite Aircraft Assembly Technician at Aerodynamics, LLC in 2009 for four months in Bend, Oregon, and as R&D Foreman at Epic Aircraft from 2006 to 2009, also in Bend, Oregon. Earlier in his career, he was a Lancair Kit-Aircraft Builder/Professional Musician from 1992 to 2006 in Redmond, Oregon, and a Beechcraft C-99 Airliner Captain at Ameriflight, LLC from 1986 to 1989 in Seattle, WA. He also worked as Chief Pilot/135 Charter Pilot at Flight Tech from 1984 to 1986 and as a Flight Instructor at Spanaflight from 1981 to 1983 in Spanaway, WA.
Education and Expertise
Darrell studied at Flight Tech where he earned his certifications as an Instrument Flight Instructor, Multi-Engine Flight Instructor, and Airline Transport Pilot, completing this from 1981 to 1983. He also graduated from Clover Park Vocational Technical Institute in Tacoma, WA, where he completed his commercial pilot training and received his certification as a Certified Flight Instructor. Additionally, Darrell is a high school graduate from Franklin Pierce High School in Tacoma, WA.
Achievements
Darrell has several key accomplishments, including serving as the lead prototype fabricator for the EPIC LT aircraft's Pratt and Whitney -67 turbine intake carbon closeout and inboard gear door system. This innovation resulted in an increase in the aircraft's maximum cruise speed from 322KTAS to 344KTAS. He has 21 years of experience in composite fabrication, which encompasses major structural repair and R&D prototype creation. Darrell holds close to 5000 hours of flight experience as an ATP pilot for a scheduled FAR 135 national freight carrier. He also possesses Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) qualifications.