Dr. Carla Guzzardo
About Dr. Carla Guzzardo
Dr. Carla Guzzardo is a Systems Engineer specializing in advanced development programs at Blue Origin, with a background in jet and rocket propulsion, nonlinear systems control, and structural dynamics.
Current Role at Blue Origin
Dr. Carla Guzzardo has been working at Blue Origin as a Systems Engineer in their Advanced Development Programs since 2019. She is also the Lead Propulsion System Engineer for the Human Lander System Descent Element of Blue Origin's lunar lander project. Her work in this role involves focusing on developing advanced systems for space exploration.
Past Positions at Blue Origin
Before her current role, Dr. Guzzardo served as a Test and Launch Facilities Systems Engineer at Blue Origin from 2016 to 2019. During this time, she also held the position of Test Facilities Design Engineer. She contributed to the design and development of test and launch facilities in Kent, Washington.
Work at Lockheed Martin
Dr. Guzzardo has a significant history with Lockheed Martin, having held the position of Mechanical Engineer from 2013 to 2015, followed by her role as Engineering Manager from 2015 to 2016. Her responsibilities included leading engineering projects and managing teams at the Stennis Space Center in Mississippi.
Academic Background and Expertise
Dr. Guzzardo holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering from Louisiana State University, where she focused on jet and rocket propulsion, nonlinear systems control, and structural dynamics. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Engineering Physics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. Her academic research included designing payloads for sounding rockets at the Atmospheric Physics Research Lab.
Previous Roles and Contributions
Dr. Guzzardo has contributed to various organizations throughout her career. She worked as a Test Design Engineering Supervisor at Syncom Space Services (S3) in 2016 and has been actively involved with the AIAA as the Student Activities Committee - Scholarship and Awards Chair from 2015 to 2018. Her early experience includes working as a Graduate Assistant and Research Assistant at Louisiana State University and as a Payload Technician at Atmospheric Physics Research Laboratory.