Carissa Say
About Carissa Say
Carissa Say is a Senior Manager of Business Development for Satellite Components at Rocket Lab, where she has played a key role in advancing small satellite technologies. With a strong background in optics and extensive experience in business development, she has held various positions in notable companies including Inrad Optics, CVI Laser Optics, and Northrop Grumman Corporation.
Current Role at Rocket Lab
Carissa Say serves as the Senior Manager of Business Development for Satellite Components at Rocket Lab. She has been in this role since 2020, contributing to the promotion of Rocket Lab's small satellite bus and high-performance satellite components. Her work focuses on redefining space access through innovative satellite technologies, positioning Rocket Lab as a leader in the satellite industry.
Previous Experience in Business Development
Prior to her current position, Carissa Say held several roles in business development and sales. She worked at EaglePicher Technologies as a Business Development Manager for 7 months in 2020. Before that, she spent six years at CVI Laser Optics as a Strategic Account Manager and also served as a National Sales Manager at Melles Griot during the same period. Her experience spans various aspects of sales and account management in the optics and satellite components sectors.
Educational Background in Physics and Optics
Carissa Say holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Physics from San Diego State University, where she studied from 1993 to 1998. She furthered her education by obtaining a Master of Science (M.S.) in Optics/Optical Sciences from the University of Central Florida, completing her studies between 2005 and 2008. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her career in the optics and satellite industries.
Early Career in Engineering
Carissa Say began her career in engineering, working at various organizations. She was an Engineer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography from 1997 to 2000 and served as an Engineering Intern at Northrop Grumman Corporation during her studies. She continued her engineering career at Northrop Grumman as an Optical Engineer from 2003 to 2007 and later worked at Cymer as an Engineer from 2000 to 2003. This early experience in engineering has contributed to her expertise in optics and satellite technologies.