Matt Hawkins
About Matt Hawkins
Matt Hawkins is a Senior Structural Analyst with extensive experience in the automotive and aerospace industries. He has worked for notable companies such as Rocket Lab and Aston Martin, and holds a Master's degree in Advanced Automotive Engineering from ISMANS.
Work at Rocket Lab
Matt Hawkins currently holds the position of Senior Structural Analyst at Rocket Lab, a role he has occupied since 2021 in Auckland, New Zealand. Previously, he worked as a Structural Analyst at Rocket Lab from 2018 to 2021. In his roles, he has contributed to the structural analysis of various aerospace projects, applying his expertise in engineering to support the company's mission of providing reliable launch services.
Education and Expertise
Matt Hawkins earned a Master's degree in Advanced Automotive Engineering from ISMANS (Institut Supérieur des Matériaux et Mécaniques Avancés) in 2009. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Auckland, which he completed in 2005. His educational background includes a focus on physics, chemistry, and mathematics, which has equipped him with a strong foundation in engineering principles.
Background
Hawkins began his engineering career as a Student Mechanical Engineer at Shell Todd Oil Services and Transfield Worley Limited in 2006 and 2007. He later worked at Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd as a Vehicle Safety Engineer from 2011 to 2016, where he focused on safety attributes and pedestrian protection systems. He also served as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Martin Aircraft Company from 2016 to 2018, contributing to the design of the Martin Jetpack.
Achievements in Engineering
During his tenure at Aston Martin, Matt Hawkins was responsible for the design and development of restraints for the Vanquish and Rapide models. He also focused on side impact safety attributes for the DB11 and future vehicles. Additionally, he developed innovative tyre modelling software at OptimumG, which is utilized by tyre manufacturers and automotive OEMs. His experience includes working with the Barazi Epsilon Racing team in various motorsport categories.