1. JENS PETER HEDEGAARD
Poway, CA ▪ (858) 449-9244 ▪ jphedegaard@hotmail.com
SENIOR MANUFACTURING ENGINEER
PROJECT MANAGEMENT ~ QUALITY ASSURANCE ~ R&D ~ COST CONTROL
Results-driven engineering leader with 24 years of manufacturing and management experience guiding projects from
design into production phase. Strong background in providing both strategic and hands-on leadership for key
initiatives. Communicate effectively with individuals at all levels of an organization, from C-level executives to
production floor technicians. Proven cross-functional performance in creating new techniques and driving process
improvements to cut costs, create efficiencies, and improve quality and safety. Excel as both a leader and key
engineering contributor. Strong technical knowledge and proficiency. B.S. in Industrial Technology.
Areas of Expertise
Program Management ▪ Budget Analysis & Cost Containment ▪ Production Support ▪ Product Specifications
Strategic Planning ▪ Material Testing ▪ Supplier Sourcing ▪ Advanced Composite Structures ▪ Documentation
Process Implementation ▪ Logistics ▪ Manufacturing Process Development ▪ Technical Writing ▪ Team Leadership
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Sierra Nevada Corporation, Louisville, CO — January 2015–Present
Senior Manufacturing Engineer (Contract)
Currently performing all manufacturing engineering activities for multiple passive heating and cooling louver
assemblies to be used on a solar probe mission.
Successfully evaluated all facility requirements necessary to assemble, integrate, and test a proposed 3-stage rocket
launch vehicle, including manufacturing equipment, ground support equipment, and manufacturing flow and safety.
Researched logistics to safely transport the rocket sections to the launch site.
Previous assignment was to develop a manufacturing and tooling approach for installing landing gear system for the
new Dreamchaser Orbital Test Vehicle.
 Created a tooling approach which positioned the gear trunnions between the spacecraft bulkheads within
very tight tolerances.
 Played an integral role in the critical design review of the landing gear design at subcontractor based in
Seattle, WA; collaborated with separate engineering firm for additional tooling design support.
Sierra Nevada Corporation, San Diego, CA — May 2007–November 2014
Senior Manufacturing Engineer – SpaceShipTwo Program
Wrote all manufacturing procedures and provided daily technical support to production floor technicians to build the
SNC-developed HTPB hybrid rocket motor for Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShipTwo (SS2) program. Tracked all
manufacturing procedures, performed audits and mandatory inspections (MIPs), wrote non-conformance reports
(NCRs), submitted engineering change requests (ECRs), and implemented all engineering change orders (ECOs).
Supported production/engineering punch list review meetings to prioritize engineering tasks. Established tooling
requirements, resource requirements, and production flows to support a high monthly rocket motor production rate.
Led a team of 6 technicians.
 Drove cost savings in materials testing by proposing and securing approval from management to purchase
an Instron 5969 dual column electro-mechanical testing machine; researched test machine options, set up a
test facility, and received training with Bluehill 3 software to perform material testing of various motor
components to characterize material properties and qualify manufacturing processes.
 Performed Quality Assurance functions for a year until program allowed for a dedicated QA hire.
Established material certification database, audited completed travelers, reviewed cure chart data, and
performed shop floor MIPS (mandatory inspection points).

2. JENS PETER HEDEGAARD ▪ (858) 449-9244 ▪ jphedegaard@hotmail.com ▪ Page 2
Senior Manufacturing Engineer, Sierra Nevada Corporation (continued)
 Due to the R&D nature of the SS2 program, new design features, new engineering, new tooling, and
continuous revisions to manufacturing procedures were required as the design was refined after every
motor was built, test fired, and performance data evaluated.
 Developed and documented a variety of composite manufacturing processes including wet lay-up, prepreg
lay-up, and Vacuum Assisted Resin Transfer Method (VARTM) using fiberglass, carbon, Kevlar, epoxy, and
phenolic materials.
 Sourced outside company to cut composite pre-impregnated material into kits; after several years,
convinced management to purchase a cutting table which eliminated shipping logistics and reduced cost.
 Created a requirements list, evaluated quotes, and purchased a McClean Anderson 4-axis Cyclone filament
winder (including acceptance inspection at the supplier’s manufacturing facility and on-site training).
Program Manager — Trailblazer
Oversaw planning, coordination, and management of Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Trailblazer micro-
satellite program, utilizing remaining components of three 100 kg experimental satellites to build one flight satellite.
Accountable for budget, schedule, logistics, cost control, and collaboration with multiple technical stakeholders to
ensure mission success. Utilized FMEA techniques to characterize potential program risk items. Partnered closely
with program systems engineering to successfully integrate mechanical, electrical, software, avionics, and mission
ops teams.
 Led a 26-member team to assemble, test, and have ready to integrate the Trailblazer satellite onto the
launch vehicle in an unprecedented 4-month timeline and 22% below original cost estimates.
 Interviewed and evaluated potential candidates; assembled 3 field teams that supported launch site
logistics, satellite integration and ground station communications. Travelled to U.S. Army Base Kwajalein
Atoll (USAKA), Marshall Islands to support the satellite integration onto the launch vehicle.
ATK Space Systems, San Diego, CA — 1996–2007
Manufacturing Engineer / Program Manager
Supported manufacturing activities for 200+ composite satellite solar array substrates per Dutch Space and
Lockheed Martin designs. Built other advanced composite spaceflight hardware such as single and dual shell
reflectors, missile heat shrouds, and battery boxes. Created purchase requisitions, performed manufacturing
scheduling for assigned programs, designed tooling, ordered materials, and scheduled production work. Interfaced
with lay-up, machine shop, solar array substrate, tower structure, and reflector assembly technicians daily. Prepared
detailed work instructions, developed technical solutions, and took necessary actions to minimize risks.
 Successfully managed both build-to-print and build-to-specification contracts up to $3M in value.
 Drove revenue growth by preparing multi-million dollar proposal for ATV (Automated Transfer Vehicle)
program to fabricate solar array substrates as well as numerous additional proposals resulting in over $1M
in contract wins. Subsequently handled program management activities on those programs.
 Closely monitored programs and developed solutions when budget and schedule requirements were not
being met.
EDUCATION
Bachelor of Science (BS) — Industrial Technology, San Diego State University
OSHA Outreach Program 30-Hour Training Certification
Project Management Professional Certification, SDSU College of Extended Studies
Program Management Training Series, Sierra Nevada Corporation
MS Office Suite/Project ▪ Windchill ▪ SolidWorks CAD ▪ Simul8 ▪ Eastman ProPattern/Marker