Elio Morillo

About Elio Morillo

Elio Morillo is a space systems engineer and leader in spacecraft integration and test with a passion for exploration, innovation, and equitable access to space. He is currently the Avionics Test Manager for the Lunar Permanence business unit at Blue Origin, where he leads strategy, operations, and execution of hardware-software integration efforts at the system level for the MK1 and MK2 lunar landers.Previously, Elio was a Mars 2020 Perseverance & Ingenuity test and operations engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL). Over six years, he developed and executed electrical integration procedures, verification and validation plans, and mission readiness testing for Mars surface operations. As the Engineering Operations Mechanisms Team Lead, he led a team that developed autonomous remote science capabilities and conducted tactical assessments of Perseverance’s mechanisms to support continued exploration of Mars.Before JPL, Elio gained experience at GE Aviation, SpaceX, and Boeing, where he worked on aerospace and spacecraft systems as an intern.He holds a B.S.E. in Mechanical Engineering with a minor in Electrical Engineering and an M.Eng. in Systems Engineering and Design from the University of Michigan.Beyond engineering, Elio is a STEM advocate, author, and speaker dedicated to increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion in aerospace and STEM fields. He is a SHPE Lifetime Member, bringing years of volunteering and leadership experience. He frequently gives talks on space exploration, engineering, and career development, aiming to inspire and mentor the next generation of diverse talent in STEM.

Experience

1. Avionics Test Manager

   Blue Origin

   Jul 2024 — Present · Seattle, WA, US

Education

• University of Michigan

  Master of Engineering (M.Eng.), Systems Engineering & Design w/ Specialization in Spacecraft Systems Design

  2016

• University of Michigan

  Bachelor's Degree, Mechanical Engineering w/ Minor in EE Control Systems

  2011 — 2015

Skills

• Unigraphics
• Siemens Teamcenter
• Strategic Planning
• Project Management
• Microsoft Excel
• Powerpoint
• Engineering
• Matlab
• Solidworks
• Microsoft Word
• Leadership
• C++
• Teamwork
• Team Leadership
• Microsoft Office
• Visual Basic
• Onenote
• Microsoft Project
• Vizio
• Public Speaking
• Autocad
• Labview
• Nx Unigraphics