Joseph Rakow
About Joseph Rakow
Joseph Rakow serves as the Group Vice President and Principal Engineer at Exponent, where he has worked since 2023. He has a background in aerospace engineering and physics, with previous roles at NASA and FEMA, and is involved in various technical and educational initiatives.
Work at Exponent
Joseph Rakow currently serves as Group Vice President and Principal Engineer at Exponent, a role he has held since 2023. He works on-site in Menlo Park, California. Prior to this position, he was Corporate Vice President, Practice Director, and Principal Engineer at Exponent from 2021 to 2023. His extensive experience within the company includes serving as Practice Director and Principal Engineer from 2017 to 2021.
Education and Expertise
Joseph Rakow holds a Ph.D. in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, where he studied from 1999 to 2004. He also earned a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from the same institution in 2000. Earlier, he completed a Bachelor of Science in Physics at the University of California, Davis, from 1994 to 1999. His educational background supports his expertise in engineering and technical fields.
Background
Joseph Rakow has a diverse professional background that includes significant roles at NASA as a Doctoral Researcher from 1999 to 2004 and at Sandia National Laboratories as an Engineering Sciences Summer Researcher from 2000 to 2001. He also acts as a Structures Specialist for FEMA Urban Search & Rescue under the Department of Homeland Security. Additionally, he chairs an FAA industry standard organization for the Department of Transportation.
Achievements
Joseph Rakow provides expert testimony for the Department of Justice, assisting in the resolution of technical disputes in court. He has a proven track record of enhancing organizational culture to drive revenue growth. Furthermore, he serves as an instructor for advanced materials courses for the Department of Defense, sharing his knowledge and expertise in engineering.
Personal Interests
In addition to his professional commitments, Joseph Rakow enjoys coaching youth sports, specifically baseball and volleyball. He has also recently rediscovered his passion for music by playing drums in a 90s cover band, showcasing his diverse interests outside of his engineering career.