Nelson Smith
About Nelson Smith
Nelson Smith is a GNC Engineer at Rocket Lab, where he has worked since 2018. He has a background in mechatronics and has contributed to various engineering roles, including software development and project management.
Work at Rocket Lab
Nelson Smith has been employed at Rocket Lab as a GNC Engineer since 2018. In this role, he engages in the research and development of advanced navigation production systems. His contributions include the development of a full Electron Hardware-in-the-Loop (HITL) test rig, which encompasses both the mechanical design of a stage 1 simulator and the associated software development. His work supports Rocket Lab's mission to enhance the reliability and efficiency of its launch vehicles.
Previous Experience in Engineering
Prior to his current role, Nelson Smith held several engineering positions. He worked at Startmate as a Start Mate Fellow - Engineering for one month in 2021, where he was involved in various engineering projects. He also served as an IoT Technical Support Engineer at Teknique from 2017 to 2018, contributing to launch and operations automation through software system development. Additionally, he worked as a Support Engineer at ControlVision from 2015 to 2017 and held multiple roles at Fero Ltd, including Engineering Support Technician and Engineering Intern.
Education and Expertise
Nelson Smith earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mechatronics, Robotics, and Automation Engineering from the University of Auckland, completing his studies from 2010 to 2014. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his engineering expertise, particularly in the areas of robotics and automation, which are critical to his current work in navigation systems at Rocket Lab.
Project Management Skills
Throughout his career, Nelson Smith has managed multiple engineering projects that required coordination among team members and suppliers. His experience in project management is evident from his various roles, where he has successfully overseen the development and implementation of engineering solutions across different organizations.