Peter Datlen
About Peter Datlen
Peter Datlen serves as the LC2 Technical Operations Manager at Rocket Lab, where he has held various roles since 2017, including Propulsion Test & Assembly Supervisor and Lead Launch Technician. His background includes experience at Ford Motor Company and the Royal New Zealand Air Force, along with a Commercial Pilot's License from the International Aviation Institute of New Zealand.
Work at Rocket Lab
Peter Datlen has held multiple roles at Rocket Lab since joining the company. He has been the Propulsion Test & Assembly Supervisor since 2020, overseeing propulsion systems in Auckland, New Zealand. In 2019, he took on the role of Lead Launch Technician, contributing to launch operations for five years in the same location. Additionally, he has served as the Leading Hand of Propulsion since 2018, managing propulsion-related tasks. In 2022, he became the LC2 Technical Operations Manager, working in Wallops Island, Virginia, where he continues to manage technical operations.
Previous Employment Experience
Before joining Rocket Lab, Peter Datlen worked at Ford Motor Company as a Sales representative for one year in 2016-2017 at Team Hutchinson Ford. He also has a background in the Royal New Zealand Air Force, where he served as a Mechanical Technician from 2008 to 2012 for four years. His diverse experience in both the automotive and aerospace sectors has contributed to his technical expertise.
Education and Training
Peter Datlen studied at the International Aviation Institute of New Zealand from 2014 to 2016, where he obtained his Commercial Pilot's License. This education provided him with foundational knowledge in aviation and technical skills relevant to his career in aerospace.
Technical Expertise
With over seven years of experience as a Senior Aerospace Technician at Rocket Lab, Peter Datlen has developed significant technical expertise in aerospace systems. His roles have included hands-on work with propulsion systems and launch operations, demonstrating his proficiency in managing complex technical tasks and leading teams in high-stakes environments.