Mihai Totu
About Mihai Totu
Mihai Totu is a HITL Lead Engineer at Rocket Lab, with over 12 years of experience in fields such as space launch systems and satellite simulations. He has a strong educational background, holding multiple degrees in engineering and international relations, and has worked in various engineering roles across different countries.
Current Role at Rocket Lab
Mihai Totu currently serves as the HITL Lead Engineer - GNC at Rocket Lab, a position he has held since 2020 in Auckland, New Zealand. In this role, he oversees hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) testing operations, focusing on guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) systems. His responsibilities include leading engineering efforts to ensure the successful integration and testing of space launch systems.
Previous Experience at Rocket Lab
Prior to his current role, Mihai Totu worked at Rocket Lab as a Mechatronics Engineer in GNC HITL Testing Operations from 2018 to 2020. During this time, he contributed to the development and testing of advanced space systems, enhancing his expertise in mechatronics and GNC technologies.
Professional Background in Telecommunications
Mihai Totu began his career as a Telecommunications Engineer at Huawei, where he worked from 2011 to 2013 in Europe. He then transitioned to netteam, serving as a trainer and network transmission engineer consultant from 2013 to 2017 in Bucharest, Romania. This experience provided him with a solid foundation in telecommunications and network systems.
Educational Qualifications
Mihai Totu holds multiple degrees in engineering and related fields. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng.) in Electronics, Telecommunications, and Information Technology from Universitatea „Politehnica” din București from 2005 to 2009. He further pursued a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) in Mechanical Engineering from 2009 to 2011. He completed a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering from 2011 to 2017 at the same institution. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Relations and European Studies from the University of Bucharest, completed from 2005 to 2008.
Expertise and Skills
Mihai Totu possesses over 12 years of experience in fields including space launch systems and satellite simulations. He has a broad experience with various software and hardware equipment, along with expertise in CNC machining and network and remote systems configuration. His ability to explain complex engineering and IT concepts to business stakeholders and top management enhances his effectiveness in team dynamics and project execution.