Benjamin Longmier

Benjamin Longmier serves as the Sr. Director of Satellite Engineering at SpaceX since June 2021, where responsibilities include leading the Starlink Direct to Cell project and V3 Starlink electric propulsion efforts. Prior to SpaceX, Longmier co-founded and served as CTO of Swarm Technologies, successfully building a satellite constellation for affordable global connectivity. Additional experience includes co-founding Apollo Fusion, where work focused on plasma technology for Hall Thrusters, and co-founding Phase Four, which licensed RF thruster technology. Longmier has also held academic positions as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Michigan, guiding students in advanced propulsion systems. Previous roles in industry include leadership positions at Apple, Aether Industries, and Ad Astra Rocket Company, along with a postdoctoral fellowship at NASA working on the VASIMR project. Longmier holds multiple degrees in Engineering Physics and Nuclear Engineering from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.