Heather Burns
About Heather Burns
Heather Burns is a Senior Materials and Process Engineer at Blue Origin, with extensive experience in materials science and engineering roles at Boeing, Micron Technology, and Isotron Corporation.
Professional Experience at BLUE ORIGIN
Heather Burns currently holds the position of Senior Materials and Process Engineer at BLUE ORIGIN. Since joining the company in 2018, she has been deeply involved in developing and managing multi-year corrosion test contracts with NASA Kennedy Space Center. Her role includes interfacing with NASA's corrosion test lab to conduct state-of-the-art tests. Heather is also responsible for reporting to senior leadership on projected risks and mitigations related to corrosion, impacting maintenance and production schedules. Additionally, she provides counsel on finishes and corrosion control for Blue Origin programs, including New Shephard, Engines, and HLS.
Career at Boeing
Before joining BLUE ORIGIN, Heather Burns worked at Boeing as a Materials, Process & Physics Engineer within Boeing Research & Technology (BR&T) from 2005 to 2017. During her 12-year tenure in Seattle, WA, she specialized in the fields of materials science and engineering. The role at Boeing provided her with extensive experience in materials and process engineering, critical for her subsequent positions in the aerospace industry.
Prior Internships and Early Career
Heather Burns started her professional journey with internships at Isotron Corporation and Micron Technology. At Isotron Corporation in Seattle, WA, she gained experience as an Intern Engineer in Materials Science from 2004 to 2005. Following that, she interned at Micron Technology in Boise, Idaho Area as an Intern Engineer in Systems Integration for 6 months in 2005. She also served in the United States Air Force as a PMEL Journeyman from 2001 to 2004, which laid the groundwork for her technical and engineering expertise.
Educational Background
Heather Burns holds a Bachelor's degree in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Washington, where she studied from 2004 to 2007. Additionally, she pursued further studies at Cornell University from 2012 to 2017. Earlier in her academic career, she attended Chapman University from 2002 to 2004 and the Community College of the Air Force, where she obtained an Associate of Arts and Sciences in Electronic Systems Technology from 2001 to 2003.
Technical Proficiency and Industry Standards
Heather's expertise extends to utilizing industry standards such as NASA, MIL, ASTM, and ASM to write specifications for corrosion prevention and control. Her role involves developing state-of-the-art tests and translating industry standards into practical applications for aerospace projects. She plays a crucial role in ensuring the high durability and reliability of materials used in various aerospace programs, addressing issues related to finishes and corrosion control according to established standards.