Derek Cooper

Derek Cooper has a diverse and extensive work experience in the field of turbomachinery engineering. Derek is currently working as a Principal Turbomachinery Engineer and Founding Member at Arbor since March 2023. Prior to that, Derek worked at SpaceX as a Lead Turbomachinery Engineer from March 2022 to December 2022, and as a Sr. Turbomachinery Engineer from November 2020 to March 2022. Before joining SpaceX, they spent five years at Garrett - Advancing Motion as a Senior R&D Engineer, where they executed aeromechanical designs to improve efficiency of compressor wheels and designed airfoil diffusers for compressor efficiency improvement. Derek began their career at Concepts NREC, where they held various engineering positions from October 2007 to March 2015. Derek also worked as an Early Identification Program Intern at GE Power & Water in 2006.

Derek Cooper pursued their undergraduate studies in Mechanical Engineering from 2003 to 2007 at Clarkson University, obtaining a Bachelor of Science degree in the field.