Willem Akkerhuys

Willem Akkerhuys currently serves as Vice President of Manufacturing Automation at Blue Origin since January 2025. Prior to this, Willem held the position of Senior Manager for Starship Automation & Tooling at SpaceX from May 2016 to January 2025. As the Owner of Automation & Control Technology Limited from March 2003 to January 2025, Willem focused on optimizing business processes and enhancing operational efficiency through advanced automation and IT systems. Earlier experience includes working as an Automation Engineer at Haden Ducost, where systems were developed for major automotive manufacturers, and as an Electrical Section Engineer at Highveld Steel and Vanadium Corporation, managing multiple departments. Willem holds an MBA in Financial Strategy and Managing Creativity, Innovation, and Change from The Open University and a National Higher Diploma in Power Engineering from Tshwane University of Technology.