Andrew Phillips

Andrew Phillips started their work experience in 2009 as a Test Engineering Intern at Welch Allyn, where they conducted hardware testing for a late-stage project. From 2010 to 2011, they worked as a Failure Analysis Engineering Intern at Vicor Corporation, performing testing and analysis of defective converters. In 2011, they interned as a Hardware Engineering Intern at Flightline Systems, designing test benches and troubleshooting prototype boards.

In 2013, Phillips interned as a Hardware Engineering Intern at Google, where they characterized battery packs, evaluated lithium-ion BMS solutions, and designed boost converter solutions. At the same time, they also worked as a Power Electronics T.A at Rochester Institute of Technology.

Phillips joined SpaceX in 2014 as a Hardware Development Engineer and later became a Senior Hardware Development Engineer. In these roles, they contributed to the design and development of the laser communication terminal for the Starlink constellation. Andrew worked on the digital control system, acquisition state machine, and algorithms for maintaining long-distance high-speed communication between satellites. Andrew also supported production tests and system identification tests.

In 2022, Phillips became a Senior Space Laser Engineer at SpaceX, working in a team to design, implement, and validate the control system for beam steering of the laser communication terminal. Within a year, the team successfully went from the design concept to mass production and launch of the laser mesh.

Currently, Phillips is employed at Arc Boat Company as a Controls Engineer starting from 2023.

Andrew Phillips holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from the Rochester Institute of Technology, which they obtained between 2007 and 2012. Following this, they pursued a Master of Science degree in Electrical and Electronics Engineering from the same institution, completing it in 2013.