Zachary Rizzolo
About Zachary Rizzolo
Zachary Rizzolo is a Fluid Systems Design Engineer II at Blue Origin, specializing in thermo-fluids with a background in mechanical engineering from Rochester Institute of Technology.
Company
Zachary Rizzolo is currently employed at BLUE ORIGIN, working as a Fluid Systems Design Engineer II on the Blue Moon project. BLUE ORIGIN, a well-known aerospace manufacturer, is noted for developing technologies to enable private human access to space with the goal of lowering costs and increasing reliability.
Past Work Experience
Before his current role at BLUE ORIGIN, Zachary Rizzolo has accumulated varied engineering experience in several high-profile companies. His professional journey includes positions at Tesla Motors as Aero & Thermal Engineer in 2016, Apple as a Product Design Engineer in 2017, and previously at BLUE ORIGIN as an Advanced Development Program Engineer in 2018. Additionally, he worked at MIT Lincoln Laboratory on the Structural & Thermal-Fluids Engineering Team from 2015 to 2016, contributing significantly to various projects. His earlier roles include an internship with TE Connectivity in the Aerospace, Defense, & Marine Test Lab in 2015, and a supervisory position at the Rochester Institute of Technology's Student Life Center from 2015 to 2019.
Education and Expertise
Zachary Rizzolo earned a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Mechanical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, where he specialized in thermo-fluids. His educational journey began at Avon High School, where he studied from 2009 to 2013. At RIT, he not only gained academic knowledge but also took on leadership roles, like serving as the President and Lead Mechanical Engineer for the RIT Launch Initiative.
Project Leadership
During his time at the Rochester Institute of Technology, Zachary Rizzolo led several key projects. He was the Lead Engineer for the Hybrid Rocket Engine Project, where he applied his mechanical engineering skills to advance the project’s technical aspects. His leadership also extended to the RIT Launch Initiative, where he served as President, guiding various student-led aerospace projects.
Professional Skills and Specialization
Zachary Rizzolo has developed a robust skill set in fluid systems, thermal dynamics, and mechanical design through his diverse career experiences. His roles at companies like Tesla, Apple, and BLUE ORIGIN have refined his expertise in thermo-fluids and advanced engineering programs. His specialized knowledge in these areas is highlighted by his contributions to complex engineering projects and leadership in hybrid rocket development.