Chris Hughes
About Chris Hughes
Chris Hughes serves as the Lead Hand in Harness Production at Rocket Lab, where he leads a team in creating and testing rocket and satellite harnesses. He has a background in the Royal Air Force, where he held various engineering and management roles over nearly two decades.
Work at Rocket Lab
Chris Hughes currently serves as the Lead Hand in Harness Production at Rocket Lab, a position he has held since 2021. In this role, he leads a team responsible for the building, testing, and quality assessment of bespoke rocket and satellite harnesses specifically for the Electron rocket. His previous experience at Rocket Lab includes working as a Senior Harness Technician from 2020 to 2021. Hughes adapts to advancements in rocket technology while ensuring compliance with high aerospace standards.
Previous Experience in the Royal Air Force
Prior to his role at Rocket Lab, Chris Hughes worked extensively with the Royal Air Force (RAF) in various capacities. From 2012 to 2017, he served as a Certified Avionics Engineering Manager at RAF Brize Norton. He also held the position of Senior Avionic & Electrical Manager from 2017 to 2019, and worked as a Visiting Aircraft Section Manager from 2006 to 2009 at RAF Wittering. His early career in the RAF included roles such as Project Team Engineer & Documents Controller and Avionics Modifications Team Leader.
Experience at Pratt & Whitney
Chris Hughes worked at Pratt & Whitney as a Qualified Aircraft Tradesperson for a period of six months in 2019 to 2020 in New Zealand. This role contributed to his extensive background in aircraft maintenance and production, further enhancing his skills in the aerospace industry.
Education and Training
Chris Hughes completed his secondary education at Rainford High School in Rainford, St Helens, from 1987 to 1991. His educational background laid the foundation for his career in aerospace and engineering, leading to various technical roles in the industry.