John Vines

About John Vines

Launch‑site systems leader at Virginia Space responsible for the engineering governance that keeps multi‑user pads safe, compliant, and ready at higher cadence.Currently Dallas-Fort Worth based, working on-site Wallops Island, VA. NASA Background check through Defense Counterintelligence and Security Agency (dcsa.mil) for Wallops access.Work centers on requirements discipline, verification/validation, codes and standards, and readiness reviews across electrical, mechanical, and fluids domains for pad and ground infrastructure. Prior leadership in semiconductor mechatronics and defense aviation; stewarded 18 patents from FTO to grant and scaled teams delivering complex, safety‑critical equipment. I focus on turning rigorous systems engineering into repeatable launch readiness for heavy‑lift, high‑energy operations.SIGNATURE WINS• $27M cumulative product revenue• $38M qualified pipeline built (2.5× up from $15M) via automated Market Level Pricing (MLP) working with a great sales team• OTIF +8 pp (~90 %) through monthly SIOP across 5 U.S. sites• 25% throughput ↑ with < 5 % HC growth by codifying Lean playbooks• 18 U.S./Int’l patents shepherded from FTO to grant/issue - from 5 major working, valuable products that were able to be patented. Demonstrating understanding and capability to recognize and nurture IP for thought leadership, market positioning, and value-added pricing.AI integration, prompt optimization, cost-optimization, systems and platform engineering for defense and aerospace. Internal tools and automation that keeps operations running smoothly with less.

Experience

1. Deputy Chief Engineer

   Virginia Spaceport Authority

   Oct 2025 — Present · Wallops Island, VA, US

   Context:State spaceport authority operating multi-user orbital launch pads and supporting facilities co-located with NASA Wallops. Hosts mixed government and commercial launch providers in a highly regulated environment with multidisciplinary ground systems spanning mechanical, electrical, fluids, and controls.Currently Dallas-Fort Worth based, working onsite Wallops Island, VA.Scope:Work with the Chief Engineer and CTO to provide systems-level oversight of launch-pad and ground systems. Participate in engineering review boards, drive requirements discipline and V&V gates, and align designs and modifications with codes and standards (NFPA, NASA-STD, ASME, NEC). Lead a small configuration-management and document-control function to maintain baselines, version control, and change approvals. Coordinate with internal programs, tenant launch providers, and NASA counterparts; prepare stakeholder reports, support audits and training, and contribute to the site’s technology roadmap.Lifecycle:Discovery (requirements)-> NPD (design controls)-> NPI (commissioning and readiness)-> Scale (launch ops readiness)-> Sustaining (CM/ECO, audits)

Education

• The University of Texas at Austin

  Bachelor of Science - BS, Mechanical Engineering

• The University of Texas at Arlington

  Master's degree, Mechanical Engineering