Senior Launch Engineer at SpaceX, MS in Aeronautical Engineering of Kharkiv Aviation Institute (USA)

Veronika Nikitina is a 2016 graduate of the Kharkiv Aviation Institute and an engineer who has gone from studying and gaining practical experience at Antonov to working at SpaceX in the US. She currently works as a Senior Launch Engineer in Cape Canaveral, Florida, leading multidisciplinary teams supporting Falcon flight hardware production and refurbishment, as well as Starship launch infrastructure builds. She currently serves as the LC-39a Pad Lead, leading Starship launch infrastructure development in Florida in preparation for 2026 launches. Long bio Veronika Nikitina is an aerospace engineer with experience in aviation design and manufacturing, launch vehicle operations, and launch infrastructure development, including work with flight hardware. She earned her Master of Science degree in Aeronautical Engineering from the National Aerospace University, Kharkiv Aviation Institute (KHAI) in Ukraine. She began her career at Antonov, the aircraft design company known for the world’s largest cargo aircraft, including the An-124 Ruslan and An-225 Mriya, where she worked as a Structural Analysis Engineer focused on primary fuselage structural components. After relocating to the United States in 2017, she joined Tesco Equipment Company, where she worked as a Mechanical Engineer supporting the design, manufacturing, and engineering analysis of aviation ground support equipment, while collaborating closely with production teams. She later earned a second Master’s degree in Engineering Management from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, FL. This allowed her to remain focused on engineering while also developing strong managerial and leadership skills. During her studies, she was awarded multiple scholarships, including from the Greater Miami Aviation Association (GMAA). She currently serves on the GMAA Board of Directors and has been contributing for the past four years, supporting the next generation of aviation professionals and participating in fundraising initiatives in South Florida.