Joe Ashford
About Joe Ashford
Joe Ashford is a Manufacturing Engineer with a Master's Degree in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Salford. He specializes in process automation and Lean 6 Sigma methodologies to enhance manufacturing efficiency and currently works at Rocket Lab in Auckland, New Zealand.
Work at Rocket Lab
Joe Ashford has been employed at Rocket Lab as a Manufacturing Engineer since 2018. In this role, he focuses on enhancing manufacturing efficiency through process automation. He is responsible for designing faultless processes and creating requests for quotations (RFQs) for tooling and equipment requirements. His expertise in Lean 6 Sigma methodologies allows him to optimize production and test operations effectively. He coordinates resources and communicates major milestones and project risks to ensure the success of various projects.
Education and Expertise
Joe Ashford holds a Master’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from The University of Salford, which he completed from 2015 to 2017. Prior to this, he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the same institution, studying from 2011 to 2015. Additionally, he studied Flight Dynamics Test at the National Flying Laboratory Centre in 2013 for 11 months. His educational background equips him with a strong foundation in engineering principles relevant to his current role.
Background and Early Experience
Joe Ashford completed his secondary education at St Catherine's Catholic High School from 2004 to 2009, followed by further studies at Huddersfield New College from 2009 to 2011. He gained early engineering experience as an Engineering Intern at Airbus from 2013 to 2014, where he worked for 8 months. He also served as a Project Engineer at Airtech Advanced Materials Group from 2015 to 2017, where he focused on process design and project management.
Subject Matter Expertise
In his current role, Joe Ashford acts as a Subject Matter Expert for Team Center PLM and Infor LN ERP systems. His knowledge in these areas supports the integration of advanced manufacturing processes and systems within Rocket Lab. His specialization in implementing Lean 6 Sigma methodologies further enhances his capability to drive efficiency and effectiveness in manufacturing operations.