OURTEAM

Aerospace engineers, AI specialists, and defense leaders building the future of autonomous space operations.

Leadership

The Team Behind SYNAPSE

World-class expertise in aerospace engineering, artificial intelligence, and space operations — united by a shared mission to secure space infrastructure.

Michael Knight

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Nearly two decades of aerospace experience spanning structural analysis, mechanical design, and system optimization. Former roles at Impulse Space, Gravitics, Northrop Grumman, and Ensign-Bickford Aerospace & Defense.

B.S. Aerospace Engineering, UC San Diego
Patent holder: Additive Manufactured Combustion Engine
Contributed to the James Webb Space Telescope deployment

Tristan Maneja

Chief Technology Officer

Nearly three decades driving critical engineering initiatives from space propulsion programs to spacecraft mechanisms. Expert in systems engineering, verification & validation, and technical integration.

B.S. Mechanical Engineering, City College of New York
MIT Certificate in Architecture & Systems Engineering
Led BE-3PM engine program at Blue Origin

Trevor Clark

Vice President of Advanced Technology

Over 25 years driving innovation across aerospace, defense, and AI. Former Deputy Chief Engineer at Northrop Grumman. Led cross-functional teams exceeding 100 members on advanced technology programs.

M.S. Electrical Engineering, CSU Fresno
Graduate, U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School
NASA CHAPEA analog astronaut backup crew
USAF Major (Ret.) — 11 years active duty

Advisory Board

Strategic Guidance

Decades of collective experience at the highest levels of space operations, defense, and technology entrepreneurship.

David Strobel

Technical Advisor

Over 50 years of satellite and space experience. Former President of Space Electronics Inc. and CEO of Space Micro Inc., which he grew to $28M revenue and sold to Voyager Space.

B.S. Astronautical Engineering, USAF Academy
M.S. Nuclear Engineering, Cornell University
M.B.A., Claremont (Peter Drucker School)
Chairman, Space Micro Inc. (20 years)

Nicholas Johnson

Strategic Advisor

Technology entrepreneur who founded and scaled Orange Charger (nationwide EV charging) and LYT (intelligent transportation). Former Electrical Engineer at Tesla Motors on Model 3 and Powerpack programs.

B.S. Electrical Engineering, CSU Chico
Founder & CEO, Orange Charger
Founder & CTO, LYT
Baukunst Collective member

Grow With Us

We're Hiring

We are building technology that runs aboard spacecraft making real-time decisions. If that excites you, check our open positions.

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Want to join the team building the future of space autonomy?

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