Professional Experience
Innovation leader with 15+ years of experience in aerospace engineering, prototyping, robotics, climate technology, and experimental research. I thrive in taking internal/external projects from 0 -> 1
Researcher | Frontier Development Lab, Trillium in partnership with NASA, Google, & NVIDIA (2025)
- 8-week HelioLab ML research sprint. Global Ionosphere modeling of Total Electron Content
- Curated a Spherical Fourier Neural Operator model based on NVIDIA Fourcastnet
Founding Director | Free Flight Research Lab – Non-Profit (2016–Present)
- Advancing climate science, conservation, and aerospace safety research. Payload development.
- AI and robotics applications in weather analytics; featured on BBC and PBS documentaries.
Venture Fellow | Type One Ventures (2024-2025)
- Product/Market Fit Analysis – Robotics, Space, Clean-Tech
- Conducting technical due diligence to help assess opportunities for the Type One team.
Co-Founder & CTO | Outpost Technologies Inc. (2020–2023)
- Principal Investigator for NASA contracts on hypersonic aerodynamic decelerators.
- Led design and launch of company’s first satellite and robotic paraglider.
- Developed space-qualified batteries; leveraged AI tools for experimental navigation.
Project Executive | Acubed Innovation Center, Airbus (2018–2020)
- Formulated multimillion-dollar Project Monark to improve global weather forecasting products.
- Developed AI-driven weather analytics; conducted high-altitude autonomous robotic flight tests.
- Deployed GNSS-RO atmospheric sensors across multiple aircraft platforms.
Strategic Advisor & Lead Aerospace Engineer | SpinLaunch (2016–2018)
- Secured $40M funding; designed and tested aerospace components for 10,000+ G space launch.
Spacecraft Manager & Lead Engineer | Moon Express (2011–2016)
- Robotic commercial lunar missions; ran engineering, testing, and certification programs.
- Facilitated $30.5M in fundraising; developed spacecraft systems and energy absorbers.
Education
- M.S., Aerospace Engineering – Florida Institute of Technology, 2010
- B.S., Aerospace Engineering – Florida Institute of Technology, 2008
- Singularity University Global Solutions Program (2015) | International Space University (2010) | Von Karman Institute for Fluid Dynamics (2007)
- Technical Skills: SolidWorks, Fusion 360, Matlab, CFD/FEA analysis, rapid prototyping, CNC.
- AI & Software: Fast.ai, ChatGPT, Unity MLagents, Python, GCP cloud computing, Pytorch
- Practical: Flight testing, weather analytics, experimental design, fundraising, strategic leadership
– Civil Air Patrol – Senior Master Sergeant – Aviation Search and Rescue 2000-2004
– Holder of patents on planetary landing systems. Multiple peer-reviewed publications on GNSS-RO atmospheric sensing, microgravity dynamics, and aerospace.
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=hsFO4ncAAAAJ&hl=en
I have various rates for different engagements.
Typically my consulting rate is $250/hr
For non-profits, educational groups and some select others that can be negotiated to $50/hr. The work must be specifically compelling.
My speakers fee is 8.8k per event.
Clients: Singularity University, Nokia, Lockheed Martin, YPO, A360, Singtel, Hess, IAG, and others.
Most events/lectures/workshops are 1hr – 3 hrs.
-ReFraming Robotics, Prototyping with a Rocket Scientist, & Motion Sickness.
CONTACT:
[email protected]
Reach out for collaboration or a quick consult. In 10-20min I might unlock where you are stuck.
Lets Go!
The topic area doesnt need to align with Aerospace, Weather, Space, Lunar or anything science related. I enjoy helping people solve problems, and think about solution spaces.
I act as catalyst helping others find solutions faster.
Here is a review from a UX designer I helped brainstorm their MVP
Senior UX Designer | Master in Product DesignSenior UX Designer | Master in Product Design
May 17, 2024
Michael is a true inspiration. I requested his expertise on a personal and complex project, that requires a lot of deep knowledge on different industries, and I was amazed on how engaging, fast and quick on jumping from so many different topics. Its been a year, and I still look back at our meeting to take decisions to move forward.
Michael, you are inspiring and you engage on a whole higher level. Such a smart guy! Thanks for “exploding” a concept into sooo many directions, and still having a clear perspective of the whole. Thanks for your availability, for your encouragement.