Serena Zhang
About Serena Zhang
Serena Zhang is the Engine Avionics Program Manager/IPT Lead for the BE-3U Engine at Blue Origin, with extensive experience in avionics and aerospace engineering.
Current Role at Blue Origin
Serena Zhang works at Blue Origin as the Engine Avionics Program Manager and IPT Lead for the BE-3U engine. She has been with the company in this role since 2018, located in Seattle, Washington. In this capacity, Serena grew and led a team of over 40 people to design, test, qualify, manufacture, and integrate a human-rated avionics system for Blue Origin's BE-3U engine and the New Glenn upper stage. She was responsible for budget, schedule, and technical solutions, managing systems engineering, software, hardware, GNC, qualification environments, harnesses, and engine operation support.
Previous Experience at Blue Origin
Before her current role, Serena Zhang served as an Avionics Software Engineer and Test Integrator for the BE-4 engine at Blue Origin from 2016 to 2018. During this period, she contributed to the development and integration of avionics systems for the BE-4 engine. Her work involved integrating advanced software and testing protocols to enhance engine performance and reliability.
Research Work at University of Texas at Austin
Serena Zhang held a position as a researcher in the Autonomous Guidance, Navigation, and Control Group within the Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics at the University of Texas at Austin from 2013 to 2015. Based in Austin, TX, her research focused on innovative solutions in guidance, navigation, and control systems, furthering academic and practical understanding in autonomous aerospace systems.
Engineering Roles at IBM
Serena Zhang's career includes multiple roles at IBM. From 2012 to 2016, she worked as a Verification Engineer. Additionally, she completed co-op engineering positions, including work on the POWER systems CPU Speed Team in 2007 and the ASIC Development Team in 2006. These roles encompassed tasks related to verification processes and hardware development, contributing to IBM's technological advancements.
Educational Background
Serena Zhang earned her Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering, focusing on electronics, software, and algorithms, from The University of Texas at Austin. She also holds a Bachelor of Science in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the same institution. Her academic background laid a strong foundation for her career in avionics and aerospace systems, equipping her with essential knowledge and skills in these areas.