Rachel Holyoak

“For the past 10 years, Rachel Holyoak has worked as the Orbital ATK Configuration Management (CM) expert for NASA human-rated solid rocket propulsion programs.  She brings a high degree of talent and skill to the table after having worked in varied industries, completed her Masters of Business degree on top of her engineering degree, and networked extensively with industry peers.  She always strives for continuous improvement in meeting customer requirements while maintaining critical control of NASA human-rated solid propulsion configuration at Orbital ATK.” – Scott Eden

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“For the past 10 years, Rachel Holyoak has worked as the Orbital ATK Configuration Management (CM) expert for the NASA human-rated programs. She quickly moved up the ranks from quality engineering to the program office where she worked into her current position as lead CM engineer, a position she took over from a veteran of 30 years’ experience. As lead, she has been responsible for building off of the heritage Space Shuttle production CM system and transitioning it into a system that meets the needs of design, development and testing. This involved working closely with the NASA and Orbital ATK chief engineers for the Ares I First Stage Program, the Space Launch System (SLS) Booster Program, Space Launch System Launch Abort Motor, and the NASA Risk Reduction for Advanced Booster, Case and Propellant Program. She is well respected at NASA and around the industry as she has completed her top-level CM certification training.

Rachel brings a lot of talent and skill to the table having worked in varied industries, completing her Masters of Business degree on top of her engineering degree, and her networking with industry peers.

Her experience and initiative paved the way for a successful resolution to a significant challenge. During the design, development and testing phase of the SLS Booster Program, a key supplier decided to exit the business. Rachel and her team took the legacy supplier CM system and integrated it into the Orbital ATK CM system. In spite of the two CM systems being quite different, and the heritage supplier information technology system being terminated as part of the transition, a successful outcome was achieved.

Rachel continues to strive for continuous improvement in meeting customer requirements while maintaining critical control of NASA human-rated solid propulsion configuration at Orbital ATK.” – Scott Eden