Kevin Sagis has a diverse portfolio in aerospace with a proven track record fielding over four different space launch vehicles through the complete life cycle from initial concept design to successful flight operations. An industry leader in aerospace and air-launch technologies, Sagis has been analyzing, designing and flying innovative air-launch vehicles for a diverse customer base ranging from commercial sector on-orbit satellites (launched from a Boeing 747), to threat assessment launch vehicles for the Missile Defense Agency (launched from Boeing C-17). As Senior Vice President of Engineering and Enterprise Chief Engineer at Virgin Orbit, he was directly responsible for numerous new technologies that significantly advanced the field of aerospace engineering. He has also focused on the aviation sector at Reliable Robotics developing and deploying transformational remotely operated aircraft systems.
He was the recipient of the Lockheed Martin Mission Success Award and has also received recognition and awards from NASA for innovations on trajectory simulation. Sagis' achievements have been featured numerous times in Aviation Week and Space Technology and he holds multiple patents from the US Patent and Trademark Office.
Most recently Sagis returned to his aerospace roots with ABL Space Systems where he is the Chief Product Officer and Enterprise Chief Engineer.
In addition to his time in aerospace, Sagis has extensive experience in the high-tech software industry and founded a start-up that architected and deployed wireless internet capability for Ticketmaster Online-Citysearch; later he created mission-critical, small-business end-to-end multi-tier applications for American Express Business Finance.
Outside of work, Sagis is the founder of Paragon Labs and has led NewSpace efforts such as building a Vertical Takeoff, Vertical Lander (VTVL) and competing in the Xprize Lunar Lander Challenge. He’s focused on giving back to the community and founded a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides hands-on aerospace learning opportunities to students of all ages. Also, he actively participates and mentors the Texas Rocket Engineering Lab (TREL) providing industry expertise to accelerate the lab and helping drive career opportunities for the students. In addition to his mentoring at TREL, he created and funded a scholarship for students in TREL with demonstrated financial need.
Sagis received his Bachelor of Science degree in aerospace engineering from The University of Texas at Austin in 1988.
