Josh Sullivan
About Josh Sullivan
Josh Sullivan is a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer with extensive experience in aerospace, including roles at Astranis, SpaceX, and NASA Ames Research Center. He has a strong background in spacecraft guidance and control, supported by academic qualifications in Aerospace Engineering from UC San Diego and Stanford University.
Work at Astranis
Josh Sullivan has been employed at Astranis as a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineer since 2018. In this role, he focuses on avionics hardware validation and contributes to the development of advanced systems for small satellites. His work supports the company's mission to enable the next generation of distributed space systems.
Education and Expertise
Josh Sullivan holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Aerospace Engineering from UC San Diego, obtained from 2008 to 2013. He furthered his education at Stanford University, where he earned both a Master of Science (MS) and a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Aerospace Engineering between 2013 and 2020. His academic research included advanced studies in spacecraft dynamics, guidance, navigation, and control algorithms.
Background in Aerospace Engineering
Sullivan has a diverse background in aerospace engineering, having worked at various prestigious organizations. His experience includes roles at NASA Ames Research Center, SpaceX, and SSL (Space Systems Loral). He has engaged in structural dynamics and testing, as well as avionics hardware validation, contributing to significant advancements in the aerospace sector.
Experience in the United States Air Force
Josh Sullivan has served in multiple capacities within the United States Air Force. He began as a T-6 Pilot Trainee and progressed to a T-38 Upgrade Pilot, participating in various training programs at Vance Air Force Base and Randolph Air Force Base. Currently, he is an F-16 Pilot in the Viper Basic Course at Holloman Air Force Base, where he continues to develop his piloting skills.
Internships and Early Career
Sullivan's early career included internships at SpaceX, where he worked as a Structural Engineering Intern and a Structural Test Engineering Intern in 2013 and 2014. He also collaborated with NASA Ames Research Center as a Guidance, Navigation, and Control Engineering Collaborator in 2015. These experiences laid the foundation for his expertise in aerospace engineering and contributed to his professional development.