Thomas Skudlarek
About Thomas Skudlarek
Thomas Skudlarek is a Propulsion Engineer II at Blue Origin, specializing in the design and testing of reusable launch vehicle hardware with a focus on mass optimization.
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Thomas Skudlarek is currently a Propulsion Engineer II at Blue Origin, a position he has held since 2021.
Current Role at Blue Origin
As a Propulsion Engineer II at Blue Origin, Thomas Skudlarek focuses on the design, analysis, procurement, and testing of reusable launch vehicle hardware. His work at Blue Origin, based in Kent, Washington, emphasizes mass optimization and maintaining high industry standards of quality and safety.
Previous Positions at Blue Origin
Thomas Skudlarek served in multiple capacities at Blue Origin before his current role. From 2020 to 2021, he worked as the New Glenn Barrel Lead Responsible Engineer. Prior to that, he was a Structures Engineer II from 2017 to 2020. In these roles, he developed time-saving and manufacturable solutions for complex vehicle design trades.
Experience at SpaceX
Thomas Skudlarek has interned twice at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California. In 2016, he was a Launch Vehicle Manufacturing Engineer Intern for 3 months. Earlier, in 2015, he served as a Dragon Structures Manufacturing Engineer Intern for 7 months. These positions provided him with valuable hands-on experience in advanced manufacturing processes.
Educational Background
Thomas Skudlarek studied Mechanical Engineering at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT), where he achieved both a BS and an MENG from 2012 to 2017. During his time at RIT, he was a founding member of the RIT Launch Initiative, contributing to the early development of rocket launching capabilities at the university.