Kevin Watson

Head of Avionics at Launcher - SpaceX & NASA/JPL Alumnus

Kevin Watson is a highly experienced engineer currently serving as the Head of Avionics at Launcher, a role he has held since May 2020. He has over thirty-five years of experience in engineering, particularly in avionics and flight computing systems. His career includes significant contributions to various aerospace and technology companies.

Professional Background

Current Position:
- Senior Director, Flight Computing at VAST LLC since February 2023, where he leads the avionics development for Orbiter spacecraft and is involved in designing fault-tolerant flight computers for space stations.
Previous Roles:
- Head of Avionics at Launcher (May 2020 - February 2023): As a founding member, he built the avionics group and led the design team for a new orbital transfer vehicle intended for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
- Sr. Director, LiDAR Product Engineering at MicroVision Inc. (November 2016 - August 2018): Led the development of MEMS-based LiDAR technologies aimed at enhancing autonomous vehicle capabilities.
- Director, Autonomy & Computing Architectures at Velodyne LiDAR (September 2015 - November 2016): Managed a team focused on developing technologies for vehicle localization and mapping.
- Senior Engineer, C&DH & Flight Software at Virgin Galactic (August 2014 - April 2015): Responsible for the architecture of computer hardware and software for the LauncherOne orbital launch vehicle.
- Lead Computer Hardware Engineer at Google (August 2013 - July 2014): Worked on Project Tango, focusing on sensor hub development for mobile devices.

Notable Achievements

Watson has played a crucial role in designing the flight computing systems for SpaceX's Falcon 9 and Dragon spacecraft while also contributing to the International Space Station's computer and networking systems during his tenure as Principal Engineer at SpaceX from June 2008 to July 2014.

Education and Skills

Kevin Watson's extensive background in engineering is complemented by his leadership in innovative projects across various sectors, including aerospace and automotive technologies. His expertise spans avionics architecture, fault-tolerant systems, and advanced sensing technologies.

For more detailed insights into his career, you can view his LinkedIn profile under the username rkevinwatson.