Richard French
About Richard French
Richard French serves as the Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy for Space Systems at Rocket Lab, where he has worked since 2022. He has extensive experience in the aerospace sector, including significant roles at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and Rocket Lab, focusing on spaceflight missions and international partnerships.
Current Role at Rocket Lab
Richard French serves as the Senior Director of Business Development and Strategy for Space Systems at Rocket Lab. He has been in this position since December 2022. In this role, he focuses on developing strategies for business growth and fostering partnerships within the space industry.
Previous Experience at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Richard French has extensive experience at NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). He worked as a Mechanical Engineer from 2007 to 2017, contributing to various projects. He held roles such as EDL Systems Engineer for the Mars Science Laboratory and Mars Astrobiology Explorer (MAX-C). Additionally, he served as Manager of Technology Partnerships and Deputy Assessment Lead for the NESC Thermal Performance Database.
Experience at Rocket Lab
Prior to his current role, Richard French worked at Rocket Lab as Director of Global Government Launch Services from 2019 to 2020 and as Director of Business Development and Strategy for Space Systems from 2020 to 2022. His work focused on enhancing international partnerships and expanding government launch services.
Educational Background in Aerospace Engineering
Richard French earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering with a focus on Aerospace Engineering from the University of Michigan, completing his studies from 2002 to 2006. He furthered his education by obtaining a Master of Engineering in Space Systems Engineering from the same institution in 2007.
Research and Development Experience
Richard French has practical experience in developing spaceflight missions and hardware. He was involved in various projects during his time at the University of Michigan, including serving as a Research Assistant for the ATLAS Project and as Team Lead for the Communications Subsystem.