Benjamin Thompson
About Benjamin Thompson
Benjamin Thompson is the Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Skydio, where he has worked since 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from UC Santa Barbara and an MBA and MS from the University of Southern California.
Work at Skydio
Benjamin Thompson currently serves as the Vice President of Hardware Engineering at Skydio, a position he has held since 2021. His role is based in Redwood City, California. Prior to this, he was the Head of Hardware Engineering at Skydio from 2017 to 2021. During his tenure, he contributed to various projects, including the Skydio 2 launch, where he initially worked as the Head of Marketing for a brief period in 2019.
Education and Expertise
Benjamin Thompson earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of California, Santa Barbara, completing his studies from 2003 to 2007. He furthered his education at the University of Southern California, where he obtained a Master of Science in Industrial & Systems Engineering and an MBA from 2008 to 2011. His expertise includes electronics packaging and integration, structural and thermal analysis, and manufacturing processes such as injection molding and metal stamping.
Background
Before joining Skydio, Benjamin Thompson worked at Tesla Motors in various roles, including Senior Mechanical Engineer, Staff Mechanical Engineer, and Manager of Mechanical Engineering for Autopilot and Infotainment Hardware from 2011 to 2015. He also worked at Northrop Grumman as a Mechanical Design Engineer and Mechanical Integration Engineer from 2007 to 2011, where he was involved in space vehicle design.
Achievements
Throughout his career, Benjamin Thompson has managed significant projects, including the electrical integration of the Model S and X at Tesla. He has experience in cost reduction strategies, which are vital for competitive product development. His leadership skills are evident in his involvement in recruiting and team building, focusing on assembling effective engineering teams.