We are excited to welcome Rachel Fitzmaurice to the SkyFi team. She will be joining us as the Government Program Manager, bringing her extensive experience in aerospace and defense to help manage our government programs and contribute to the rapid growth of our company.
Rachel's background in the aerospace industry is diverse, from working as a Flight Test Engineer at Gulfstream Aerospace to managing government contracts at Joby Aviation, and most recently, serving as a Program Manager at Trident Systems. She has consistently demonstrated her ability to lead multidisciplinary teams, improve operational efficiency, and build strong relationships, all of which align perfectly with SkyFi's mission.
Her journey from technical roles to program management showcases her adaptability and commitment to innovation, making her a perfect fit for SkyFi as we continue to expand our government initiatives.
We sat down with Rachel and are excited to share what we learned...
My journey into aerospace began as a Flight Test Engineer at Gulfstream Aerospace. Since then, I’ve worked across different companies in various capacities, from certification and systems engineering at Joby Aviation to managing government programs at Trident Systems. Throughout these experiences, I’ve seen different approaches to program management, from highly structured environments to more flexible, “Wild West” styles, and I’ve learned to adapt my approach to fit each company's culture.
I have a background in mechanical engineering, but I never saw myself as a truly technical engineer. I was always drawn to bridging the gap between technical work and communication—helping teams understand and deliver on project goals. That led me into program management, where I could focus on getting things done, organizing engineering tasks, and facilitating communication between different stakeholders.
SkyFi’s vision really resonated with me. When I heard about what SkyFi was doing, it felt tangible—like something real that you could get behind. I love the idea of making high-tech geospatial data accessible, and it just seemed like the perfect fit. Plus, knowing Luke and Kate from previous roles gave me confidence in the culture here. I knew I’d be working with a team of driven individuals who are all committed to the mission, and that’s exactly the kind of environment I thrive in.
I’m motivated by seeing work get done. I’m a tactical person—I like creating rhythms and processes that allow people to work effectively without feeling overly restricted. My goal is always to ensure everyone knows what steps to take and feels comfortable following them, which ultimately leads to efficient and successful project completion.
I'd probably choose Monterey, California. It’s a special place for me—my husband and I met there during COVID, and we even got married in Monterey. We have so many beautiful memories of walks around the bay, and it would be incredible to see it from a satellite’s perspective.