As Vice President of Launch Vehicles, Adam Oakes oversees Firefly’s launch vehicle programs, including our small launch vehicle, Alpha, and our medium launch vehicle. This includes leading the vision and strategy, technology development, and key aspects of launch vehicle manufacturing, testing, integration, and operations.

Prior to joining the team, Adam served in multiple roles over his 10 years working at SpaceX. He led several engine development and qualification campaigns for the Falcon/Merlin product line, supported construction of the rocket engine test stands as Director of Texas Production and Test at SpaceX’s facility in McGregor, Texas, and served as the Director of Propulsion Production at SpaceX’s Hawthorne facility.  Adam started his career at ATK (Alliant Tech System), working as a design engineer on human-rated solid rocket motors before supporting the development of ATK’s Booster Separation Motor program. 

Adam has a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering from the University of Washington. 

As a strong advocate of rapid innovation, Adam is a technology change agent who’s always looking at parallel industries and technology advancements to push rocket performance to the next level. 

Adam is married to an equally impressive rocket scientist; they have a girl and boy who love watching “the rocket” on TV during countdowns.