Chris Walther
About Chris Walther
Chris Walther is a Senior Test Engineer at Rocket Lab, where he has worked since 2024. He has a diverse background in engineering, having held various roles at Rocket Lab and Lockheed Martin, and has experience in manufacturing processes and team support.
Work at Rocket Lab
Chris Walther currently serves as a Senior Test Engineer at Rocket Lab, a position he has held since 2024. In this role, he supports various teams, including fabrication, avionics, RF, supply chain, and propulsion testing. Prior to his current position, he worked as a Manufacturing Engineer from 2021 to 2023 and as a Component and Test Engineer from 2023 to 2024. His experience at Rocket Lab spans multiple roles, contributing to the company's engineering capabilities.
Education and Expertise
Chris Walther earned a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree in Industrial Technology Engineering with a Manufacturing Option from Iowa State University, completing his studies from 2009 to 2014. His educational background provides a strong foundation for his engineering roles. He has developed expertise in areas such as solar array welding, brazing, bonding, 3D printing, and 3D scanning, serving as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in these fields.
Background
Chris Walther has a diverse professional background, having worked in various engineering roles across multiple organizations. He began his career as a Mechanical Engineering Student with Engineers Without Borders in 2010. He later held positions at GSK as an Operational Excellence Engineer and at Lockheed Martin, where he served as a Senior Controls Engineer and Manufacturing Engineer. His experience spans over a decade, focusing on manufacturing and operational excellence.
Achievements
During his tenure at Lockheed Martin, Chris Walther implemented manufacturing process improvements that resulted in a reduction of labor costs by over $300,000 in 2020. He also led the Operational Excellence Team and mentored engineering internship teams as well as the Operations Leader Development Program. His contributions to various teams at Lockheed Martin and Rocket Lab reflect his commitment to enhancing engineering processes and mentoring future engineers.