Thomas Collins
About Thomas Collins
Thomas Collins is a Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer at Rocket Lab, with a background in Engineering Physics and Mechanical Engineering from the University of Maine and the University of New Hampshire. He has held various engineering roles, including Additive Manufacturing Engineer II and I, and has experience in research and leadership within engineering organizations.
Current Role at Rocket Lab
Thomas Collins serves as a Senior Additive Manufacturing Engineer at Rocket Lab, a position he has held since 2024. His responsibilities include overseeing additive manufacturing processes and contributing to the development of advanced manufacturing techniques. He is based in Long Beach, California, where he applies his expertise to enhance Rocket Lab's manufacturing capabilities.
Previous Experience at Rocket Lab
Prior to his current role, Thomas Collins worked at Rocket Lab as an Additive Manufacturing Engineer II from 2022 to 2024. He also held the position of Additive Manufacturing Engineer I from 2020 to 2022. His tenure at Rocket Lab has involved significant contributions to various manufacturing projects, utilizing his background in engineering physics and mechanical engineering.
Education and Academic Background
Thomas Collins earned his Bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics from the University of Maine, where he studied from 2015 to 2017. He then attended the University of New Hampshire, where he completed a Bachelor's degree in Engineering Physics and Mechanical Engineering from 2017 to 2020. His education has provided him with a strong foundation in engineering principles and practices.
Research and Internship Experience
During his academic career, Thomas Collins gained practical experience as an Undergraduate Research Assistant with the UNH Nuclear Physics Group from 2018 to 2019. He also completed an internship as a Manufacturing Engineering Intern at Turbocam International from 2019 to 2020. Additionally, he interned at Rocket Lab in 2020 for two months, where he further developed his skills in manufacturing engineering.
Leadership Role in SEDS
Thomas Collins served as the Vice President of the UNH Students for the Exploration and Development of Space (SEDS) from 2017 to 2020. In this role, he was involved in promoting space exploration and development initiatives among students at the University of New Hampshire, fostering a community of like-minded individuals interested in aerospace.