Jon Chaconas
About Jon Chaconas
Jon Chaconas is a Flight Dynamics and Controls Engineer with extensive experience in aerospace engineering, having worked for companies such as Stratolaunch, Northrop Grumman, and Zipline. He holds a Master's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from UCLA and has a background in organizing youth skatepark construction globally.
Current Role at Zipline
Jon Chaconas serves as a Flight Dynamics and Controls Engineer at Zipline, a position he has held since 2022. His work is based in South San Francisco, California. In this role, he applies his expertise in flight dynamics to enhance the performance and reliability of Zipline's innovative delivery systems.
Previous Experience in Flight Dynamics
Chaconas has extensive experience in flight dynamics and controls, having worked at several prominent aerospace companies. He was employed at Stratolaunch from 2020 to 2022, and prior to that, he worked at Boom Supersonic from 2019 to 2020. His tenure at Northrop Grumman spanned from 2010 to 2014, where he focused on flight dynamics and controls.
Engineering Background and Education
Jon Chaconas holds a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, specializing in System Dynamics and Control, from the University of California, Los Angeles, which he completed in 2011. He also earned a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Davis, in 2010.
Expertise in Control Systems
Chaconas has developed a strong expertise in closed-loop control and systems integration and testing. He specializes in aeroelastic and aeroservoelastic analysis, as well as simulation development, which are critical components in the design and testing of aerospace systems.
Leadership in Community Projects
In addition to his engineering roles, Chaconas served as the Director of Operations for Make Life Skate Life from 2014 to 2018. In this capacity, he organized the construction of concrete skateparks for youth globally, contributing to community development and youth engagement through sports.