Chris Vair
About Chris Vair
Chris Vair serves as the Space Systems Senior Program Manager at Rocket Lab in New Zealand, where he applies his expertise in predictive maintenance and root cause analysis. With a strong background in aerospace engineering and management, he has held various roles at notable companies including Boeing and General Atomics.
Work at Rocket Lab
Chris Vair serves as the Space Systems Sr. Program Manager at Rocket Lab, a position he has held since 2023. His role is based in New Zealand and involves overseeing various aspects of space systems programs. Vair's responsibilities include managing cross-functional teams and ensuring compliance with safety and lean manufacturing principles, which are critical in the aerospace industry.
Education and Expertise
Chris Vair earned a Master’s Degree in Engineering Management from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, studying from 2013 to 2015. He also holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Idaho, where he studied from 1999 to 2004. His expertise includes predictive maintenance and root cause analysis, which are essential skills in the space systems sector.
Background
Before joining Rocket Lab, Chris Vair accumulated extensive experience in the aerospace industry. He worked at Boeing in various roles, including as a Lead Engineer and Manager of Advanced Manufacturing for the 737 line. He also served as a Senior Project Engineer at General Atomics and held positions at Electroimpact, where he focused on mechanical tooling design.
Achievements
Chris Vair has a proven track record in leading cross-functional teams to achieve process improvements and technical leadership goals. His commitment to safety compliance and lean manufacturing has been instrumental in managing complex aerospace programs. Vair is recognized for utilizing humor and empowerment to enhance team performance and collaboration.