Ron Bates

Ron Bates is an experienced aerospace engineer with a robust background in combustion devices and propulsion engineering. Currently serving as the Director of Combustion Devices at Ursa Major since January 2022, Ron previously held multiple progressive roles at SpaceX from June 2014 to October 2021, including Senior Manager of Combustion Devices and Lead Propulsion Engineer. Prior to that, Ron worked at the Chemical Propulsion Information Analysis Center at Johns Hopkins University as an Associate Research Engineer from October 2007 to June 2017. Ron began a notable career at the Air Force Research Laboratory, where roles included Group Leader for Combustion Devices, and previously worked as a Mechanical Engineer in Combustion Devices at Phillips Laboratory from August 1993 to October 1997.