Matt Darley
About Matt Darley
Matt Darley is a Recovery Systems Manager at Rocket Lab, where he has worked since 2020. He holds a Master's degree in Aeronautics & Astronautics from the University of Southampton and has extensive experience in systems engineering across various companies in the aerospace sector.
Work at Rocket Lab
Matt Darley has served as the Recovery Systems Manager at Rocket Lab since 2020. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the recovery systems that are critical to the company's launch operations. His position is based in Auckland, New Zealand, where he applies his extensive engineering background to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of recovery processes. His leadership in this area contributes to Rocket Lab's mission of reducing launch costs and increasing the frequency of space missions.
Education and Expertise
Matt Darley earned a Master of Engineering (M.Eng) degree in Aeronautics and Astronautics from the University of Southampton, where he studied from 1993 to 1998. His educational background provides a solid foundation in aerospace engineering principles. Additionally, he possesses expertise in Finite Element Analysis and Fluid Structure Interaction, specifically using LS-DYNA software. This technical proficiency supports his work in systems engineering and problem-solving.
Professional Background
Before joining Rocket Lab, Matt Darley accumulated significant experience in various engineering roles. He worked as a Senior Systems Engineer at Martin-Baker Aircraft Company Ltd from 1998 to 2002. He then served as a Lead Systems Engineer at Reaction Engines Ltd from 2015 to 2020. Prior to that, he was a Senior Engineer at Vorticity Ltd for 13 years, from 2002 to 2015. His diverse background includes hands-on experience in practical testing environments and strategic roles in boardroom settings.
Achievements in Engineering Projects
Throughout his career, Matt Darley has successfully led projects that involved multi-national collaboration. His strong systems engineering approach to problem-solving has been instrumental in preparing winning technical proposals. This ability to work effectively in diverse teams highlights his leadership skills and commitment to achieving project goals.
Early Education
Matt Darley completed his A-levels at Burford School & Community College from 1991 to 1993. He achieved grades in Maths (A), Physics (A), Chemistry (A), and Further Maths (C). This early education laid the groundwork for his future studies in aeronautics and engineering.