Vanessa Tanner
About Vanessa Tanner
Vanessa Tanner is a Mechanical Engineer Manager specializing in Stress, Dynamics, and Thermal Analysis at Kratos Defense and Security Solutions. She leads a team of 20 analysts and has extensive experience in the aerospace sector, including previous roles at Lockheed Martin and USDA.
Current Role at Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Vanessa Tanner serves as the Mechanical Engineer Manager for Stress, Dynamics, and Thermal Analysis at Kratos Defense and Security Solutions. In this role, she leads a team of 20 mechanical engineering analysts at Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems. Her focus includes structural, thermal, dynamics, and loads development. She has been in this position since 2021, operating out of Roseville, California, and reports directly to the Vice President of Engineering.
Previous Experience at Kratos Defense and Security Solutions
Prior to her current role, Vanessa Tanner held the position of Analysis Team Lead for Structural and Thermal at Kratos Defense and Security Solutions from 2017 to 2020. In this capacity, she contributed to various projects and initiatives within the organization. She also served as Associate Mechanical Engineer Manager for Stress, Dynamics, and Thermal Analysis from 2020 to 2021, further solidifying her expertise in the field.
Education and Expertise
Vanessa Tanner earned a Master of Science (M.S.) in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New Orleans, where she studied from 2007 to 2011. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Chemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, completed between 1999 and 2003. This educational background provides her with a strong foundation in both mechanical engineering and chemistry, enhancing her analytical skills.
Professional Background
Before joining Kratos Defense and Security Solutions, Vanessa Tanner worked at Lockheed Martin Space Systems Company as a Mechanical Engineer from 2007 to 2011. She also gained experience as a Research Engineer at Lockheed Martin from 2006 to 2007. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Lab Assistant at the USDA: Plant Gene Expression Center from 2002 to 2003. Her diverse experiences contribute to her comprehensive understanding of engineering principles.
Contributions to Space Shuttle Program
Vanessa Tanner has a background in providing production support for the Space Shuttle external fuel tank as a thermal engineer. This experience highlights her involvement in significant aerospace projects, showcasing her technical expertise in thermal analysis and engineering support within the aerospace sector.