James Franks

James Franks is a propulsion engineer currently working for Blue Origin in the engine design and integration group since 2023. Prior to this role, James held multiple engineering positions at PPG from 2021 to 2023, focusing on aerospace transparency designs and troubleshooting manufacturing issues. With extensive experience at John Deere from 2004 to 2020, James progressed from product engineer to product engineering manager, managing teams and overseeing various tractor design projects. Other notable experiences include working as a design engineer at Komatsu America Corp. and Lexmark, where James contributed to the development of construction equipment and inkjet printers, respectively. Educational qualifications include a Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Tennessee Technological University and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, as well as a System Design & Management degree from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.