Sam Stinson
About Sam Stinson
Sam Stinson is a Propulsion Engineer II specializing in Combustion Devices at BLUE ORIGIN, with a background in aerospace and mechanical engineering from Colorado State University.
Current Role at Blue Origin
Sam Stinson currently serves as Propulsion Engineer II - Combustion Devices at Blue Origin in Kent, Washington, United States. Stinson has held this position since 2022. His responsibilities include defining the scope and processes for post-test inspections and overseeing their execution. He also prioritizes and presents hotfire test data to support a high testing cadence, handles the dispositioning of non-conforming components using engineering judgment and technical knowledge, and develops new major hardware upgrades to increase thrust and thermal performance.
Previous Experience at Lockheed Martin
Prior to his current role, Sam Stinson worked at Lockheed Martin in multiple capacities. In 2021, he served as an Orion Loads and Dynamics Engineering Intern for two months and as a Facilities Engineer Technical Specialist for three months, both in Littleton, Colorado. Additionally, in 2020, he worked as a Facilities/Plant Engineering Intern for three months, also in Littleton. In these roles, Stinson gained valuable practical experience that contributed to his expertise in engineering disciplines.
Experience at Colorado State University
Sam Stinson spent two years from 2020 to 2022 working as a CASA Labs Manager at Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. During his tenure, he oversaw various lab operations while contributing to different research and development activities. This role further strengthened his problem-solving abilities and technical acumen, which he continues to apply in his current engineering roles.
Educational Background
Sam Stinson studied Aerospace and achieved a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Colorado State University. His academic journey spanned from 2015 to 2022. During this period, he developed a strong foundation in engineering principles which he brings to his professional roles. His education equipped him with vital skills, including proficiency with GD&T application, handling large CAD assemblies, and developing thermal models using MATLAB.
Technical Proficiency and Skills
Sam Stinson possesses a range of technical skills essential for his role as a propulsion engineer. These include developing scripts using Python and Winplot to automate data review processes for combustion devices, and conducting root cause analysis to determine system failure modes' likelihood. He is proficient in developing thermal models using MATLAB and has experience with ignitors. His technical expertise allows him to manage the hardware lifecycle from concept and research through to acceptance testing and flight.