Katie Gwozdecky
About Katie Gwozdecky
Katie Gwozdecky is a Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer at Rocket Lab, where she has worked since 2023. She has a diverse background in aerospace engineering, having held various roles at organizations such as the University of Toronto Aerospace Team and MDA, and she holds a Master of Applied Science in Space Systems Engineering.
Current Role at Rocket Lab
Katie Gwozdecky serves as a Senior Spacecraft Systems Engineer at Rocket Lab, a position she has held since 2023. In her current role, she focuses on spacecraft systems engineering, contributing to the development and management of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) spacecraft platforms. She also holds the position of Deputy Program Manager and Chief Engineer, further emphasizing her leadership in engineering projects.
Previous Experience at Rocket Lab
Prior to her current role, Katie worked at Rocket Lab as a Mechanical Designer from 2020 to 2023. During this three-year tenure, she was involved in the design and engineering of spacecraft components. Additionally, she worked as a Spacecraft Systems Engineer for one year from 2022 to 2023, where she enhanced her expertise in spacecraft systems.
Education and Expertise
Katie Gwozdecky holds a Master of Applied Science (M.A.Sc.) in Space Systems Engineering from the University of Toronto Institute for Aerospace Studies Space Flight Laboratory, which she completed from 2018 to 2020. She also earned a Bachelor of Applied Science (B.A.Sc.) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Toronto, graduating in 2018. Her educational background is complemented by her licensing as a Professional Engineer (P.Eng) in Ontario, Canada.
Involvement with University of Toronto Aerospace Team
Katie has a significant history with the University of Toronto Aerospace Team, where she held multiple roles. She served as Director from 2016 to 2018, overseeing team operations. Previously, she was the Payload Specialist for the Rocketry Division from 2013 to 2014 and later took on the role of Thermal Lead in the Space Systems Division from 2014 to 2017. Additionally, she worked as a Business Development Officer from 2015 to 2016.
Internships and Early Career
Katie Gwozdecky gained early career experience through various internships. She worked as a Mechanical/Systems Engineering Intern at Synaptive Medical from 2016 to 2017 and as a Summer Student in Medical Robotics at MDA in 2015. These roles provided her with foundational skills in engineering and problem-solving within technical environments.