Brian Hirsch
About Brian Hirsch
Brian Hirsch is a Mission Manager with extensive experience in the aerospace industry, having worked at organizations such as NASA and Virgin Orbit. He holds multiple degrees in Mechanical Engineering and has over 12 years of experience in product development and systems engineering.
Current Role at Rocket Lab
Brian Hirsch serves as a Mission Manager at Rocket Lab, a position he has held since 2020. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing mission operations and ensuring successful launches. His expertise in managing complex projects contributes to Rocket Lab's objectives in the aerospace sector. He operates from Long Beach, California, where he applies his extensive experience in the aerospace industry.
Previous Experience at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Brian Hirsch worked at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in the Advanced Deployable Structures Group as a Mechanical Engineer from 2007 to 2016. His tenure included two years from 2014 to 2016 and three years from 2011 to 2014, focusing on mechanical engineering tasks. He contributed to the development of advanced structures and systems engineering for various projects, including the Ares launch vehicles at NASA Marshall Space Flight Center.
Experience at Virgin Orbit
Hirsch held multiple roles at Virgin Orbit, including Senior Mechanical Engineer from 2017 to 2019 and Mission Manager from 2019 to 2020. His responsibilities included managing mission operations and leading engineering efforts in launch vehicle design and support. His work at Virgin Orbit further solidified his expertise in the aerospace industry, particularly in launch operations.
Education and Advanced Degrees
Brian Hirsch has a strong educational background in engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University, completing his studies from 2003 to 2007. He furthered his education with a Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Southern California from 2009 to 2013. Additionally, he holds a Master of Business Administration from Colorado State University and a Master of Science in Mechatronics Engineering from the University of Denver.
Achievements and Patents
Hirsch has over 12 years of experience in delivering integrated hardware products and has a proven track record in leading fabrication, assembly, and test activities. He was awarded a US Utility Patent in 2014, highlighting his contributions to innovation in engineering. His experience spans across various aspects of aerospace, including launch vehicle design and manufacturing with United Launch Alliance.