Kyle Clayton
About Kyle Clayton
Kyle Clayton is a Test Engineer at Blue Origin with extensive experience in materials process, physics engineering, and lab management.
Current Role at Blue Origin
Kyle Clayton currently serves as a Test Engineer at Blue Origin, a role he has held since 2018. In this capacity, he is responsible for conducting environmental tests on flight hardware for rocket engines and human-rated spaceflight systems. His duties include thermal, vibration, and pyroshock testing. These tests are crucial for ensuring the reliability and safety of spaceflight components.
Professional Experience at Boeing
Prior to joining Blue Origin, Kyle Clayton held various positions at Boeing from 2012 to 2018. He worked as a Materials Process & Physics Engineer from 2015 to 2018 in Charleston, South Carolina, focusing on materials and their applications in aviation. From 2012 to 2015, he served as the Lab Lead for the Mechanical & Flammability Test Lab. These roles involved extensive work in material testing and lab management.
Early Career and Internships
Kyle's early career includes several important roles. He worked at Brookhaven National Laboratory in the Nuclear Physics Division for three months in 2011. He was also a Physics Teaching Assistant at the College of Charleston from 2010 to 2011 and served as a Processing Assistant at Prysmian for four months in 2010. These roles provided foundational experience in physics and materials science.
Educational Background and Certifications
Kyle Clayton has a strong educational background, including a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physics with a concentration in Energy Production and a minor in Philosophy from the College of Charleston, completed between 2009 and 2012. He also obtained several certifications: a Rocket Propulsion Certification from The University of Alabama in Huntsville in 2018, a Certificate in Test and Evaluation from the same institution and year, and a Six Sigma Green Belt Certification from North Carolina State University in 2015.
Process Improvements at Blue Origin
At Blue Origin, Kyle Clayton has significantly contributed to process improvements and operational efficiencies. He developed a plan to achieve ISO 17025 lab compliance and implemented data management tools to increase productivity. These improvements have helped to automate lab processes, ensuring higher accuracy and efficiency in testing rocket engine and spaceflight components.