Chris Walther
About Chris Walther
Chris Walther is a Senior Test Engineer at Rocket Lab, where he has worked since 2024. He has extensive experience in engineering roles at companies like Lockheed Martin and GSK, specializing in manufacturing processes and operational excellence.
Work at Rocket Lab
Chris Walther currently serves as a Senior Test Engineer at Rocket Lab, a position he has held since 2024. His role involves supporting various teams, including fabrication, avionics, RF, supply chain, and propulsion testing. Prior to this position, he worked as a Component and Test Engineer at Rocket Lab from 2023 to 2024. His experience at Rocket Lab spans multiple roles, contributing to his comprehensive understanding of the company's operations.
Previous Experience at Lockheed Martin
Before joining Rocket Lab, Chris Walther held several positions at Lockheed Martin. He worked as a Senior Controls Engineer from 2019 to 2021 in Sunnyvale, California, and as a Manufacturing Engineer from 2018 to 2019. He also served as the Subject Matter Expert for solar array welding, brazing, bonding, 3D printing, and 3D scanning. Additionally, he led the Operational Excellence Team and mentored engineering internship teams and the Operations Leader Development Program.
Education and Expertise
Chris Walther earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Industrial Technology Engineering with a Manufacturing Option from Iowa State University, completing his studies from 2009 to 2014. His educational background provides a solid foundation for his engineering roles, particularly in manufacturing and operational excellence.
Career Background
Chris Walther's career includes diverse roles across various organizations. He worked at GSK as an Operational Excellence Engineer for seven months in 2013 and spent three years as a Manufacturing Engineer at Featherlite Exhibits from 2015 to 2018. He also gained experience as a Mechanical Engineering Student with Engineers Without Borders from 2010 to 2011. His varied background contributes to his expertise in manufacturing and engineering processes.
Achievements in Process Improvement
During his tenure at Lockheed Martin, Chris Walther implemented manufacturing process improvements that resulted in a labor cost reduction of over $300,000 in 2020. His contributions to operational efficiency demonstrate his ability to enhance manufacturing processes and drive cost savings within engineering teams.