Ricardo MacHado

Ricardo Machado has a diverse work experience in various roles and industries. Ricardo currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and Executive Board Member at Active Space Technologies since January 2023. Before this, they worked as the General Manager and Board Member from July 2020 to December 2022. Prior to that, they held the position of Head of Space Department and Senior Project Manager from October 2018 to July 2020 at the same company.

Ricardo also founded Organic To Life in 2012, where they still hold the position of Founder. From 2011 to 2018, they worked as a Trainer for EASA PART 66 B1 and B2 at LAS FORMAÇÃO.

Earlier in their career, Ricardo worked for the Portuguese Air Force, where they held several positions including RPAS Airworthiness Working Group member at the European Defense Agency from April 2014 to April 2016, Certification Engineer in the Airworthiness Office from April 2009 to April 2016, Airworthiness Engineer for the Lockheed Martin P-3C CUP+ Program from April 2010 to September 2014, and Quality Assurance & Airworthiness Deputy for Airbus Military C-295M Program from July 2009 to December 2011.

Lastly, Ricardo has also served as a Guest Lecturer for the Aeronautical Sciences Course, specifically in Aerodynamics, at ISEC - Instituto Superior de Educação e Ciências from January 2012 to June 2015.

Ricardo Machado holds a Master's degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering, which they obtained from the Instituto Superior Técnico from 2004 to 2008. Ricardo further pursued their education with an MBA from ISEG MBA, completing it from 2013 to 2015. Additionally, they obtained an Executive Master in Project Management from Universidade Europeia in 2015-2016. Before their Master's degree, Ricardo also acquired a Master's degree in Aeronautics/Aviation/Aerospace Science and Technology, General from the Portuguese Air Force Academy from 2001 to 2004. Ricardo has also obtained certifications in various fields, including Business Analysis Foundations from LinkedIn, JIRA Fundamentals from Atlassian, and Systems Engineering from Project Performance International (PPI).