Richard Smith

Richard Smith has a diverse background in engineering and machining, with significant experience in both leadership and technical roles. Currently serving as an Engineering Technician at NASA since September 2023, Richard previously held various positions at NASA, including Senior Engineering Technician and Production Planner. Other notable roles include Machinist/CNC Programmer at L-3 Technologies and Senior CNC Programmer at Aero Industries, where Richard specialized in programming and operating CNC and manual machinery. Richard has also led teams as Supervisor in machine shops at Karl Storz Imaging and XCOR Aerospace. With a foundational start as a Master Machinist/CNC Programmer at BAE Systems, Richard has worked on significant aerospace projects, including transforming F4 jets into QF4 drones for target practice. Richard's career began with the establishment of Mountain View CNC Machining, showcasing entrepreneurial skills in the aerospace sector. Education includes a high school diploma from Redondo Union High School.