From Rockets to Risk-Taking | Chris Canfield on Aerospace & Career Growth

Send us Fan Mail

From shop floor curiosity to launching rockets.

In this episode of the Sound Cave Labs Podcast, we sit down with Chris Canfield, aerospace engineer and LinkedIn storyteller, to explore his journey from tinkering in his dad’s shop to working on rocket launch vehicles at Orbital ATK and Northrop Grumman. Chris shares how he navigated imposter syndrome, carved his own path into cutting-edge projects, and discovered the value of communication in engineering.

We dive into his role in composite material development, lessons from large-scale aerospace programs, and why rapid iteration (and failure) can accelerate progress in space exploration. Chris also opens up about risk, career pivots, mentorship, and advice for the next generation of engineers.

👉 Connect with Chris on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chriscanfield/
👉 Follow Sound Cave Labs: https://soundcavelabs.com/