Katie Gwozdecky
Katie Gwozdecky joined Rocket Lab USA in 2020 as a Mechanical Design Engineer after completing her Bachelor of Applied Science and Engineering in Mechanical Engineering and her Master of Applied Sciences in Space Systems Engineering at the University of Toronto. In her first role at Rocket Lab, she was the subject matter expert sent to Rocket Lab New Zealand to support and mentor local staff in establishing the reaction wheel production facility for Rocket Lab. Katie developed work instructions and trained technicians and supported deliveries of proto-flight and engineering models for customers while there. In 2022, after transitioning to Rocket Lab USA in Long Beach, Katie took on Systems Engineering for Rocket Lab’s first commercial rideshare LEO spacecraft bus, now called Pioneer.
Katie has experience with a variety of spacecraft systems, working initially as Systems and Integration lead for propulsion assembly of Winnebago-1 and 2 in 2022 (a Pioneer bus program with Varda Space Industries (to re-enter products manufactured in orbit over the course of four missions). She designed the mechanical ground support equipment for the assembly, integration, and transport of the spacecraft for Rocket Lab and organized the shipping containers used for transporting various stages of the spacecraft build.
Katie led the launch campaign for the Winnebago-1, which involved planning, organizing tests and transporting the spacecraft to Vandenberg Space Force Base. After launch and spacecraft commissioning, she served as the lead systems engineer for re-entry operations. Katie developed the contingency procedures for missed, no-burn and under-burn conditions and created Re-Entry Commit Criteria with Pass/Fail from on-orbit telemetry trends. She was also the lead Systems Engineer on console for the re-entry shifts and was essential as a decision maker on vehicle state of health on orbit. She simultaneously led the environmental test campaign for Winnebago-2, which included electromagnetic compatibility testing, protoqualification vibration testing, and thermal vacuum testing.
Katie quickly distinguished herself as a strong leader and collaborator at Rocket Lab, and when her current position of Spacecraft Operations Manager opened up, she was immediately considered to fill it. In this role, she co-leads the space operations team and works closely with the New Zealand and Denver engineering ops teams. Katie interfaces with program leadership and customers to support Rocket Lab’s missions from LEO to Venus and Mars. She also serves as Mission Director during on-console critical operations and leads her team in developing the tools and plans required for successful missions.
In addition to her work responsibilities, Katie dedicates herself to teaching and supporting others in the space industry. She has also helped to coordinate speaking opportunities for her colleagues, including for SSPI-WISE panels on major industry topics. Katie volunteers her time outside of work to speak with students and future engineering leaders. She has presented at conferences including the Small Satellite Conference in Logan, UT, has been interviewed for groups such as the Troost Institute for Leadership Education in Engineering, and served as a guest speaker for the Summer of Space at the Ontario Space Center. Katie is a licensed private pilot, rock climber, hiker and a PADI Rescue Diver.
