Additional Title(s)

Vice President for Research and Technology at Airbus Americas

Biography

Amanda Simpson, Vice President, Research and Technology (R&T) at Airbus Americas, is responsible for establishing the strategic direction and funding opportunities for partnerships with scientific and research communities in North America. 

Ms. Simpson brings more than 40 years of aerospace industry experience in the public and private sectors, including leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Defense, U.S. Department of Commerce, Douglas Aircraft Company, Hughes Aircraft Company, Hughes Helicopters, Inc. and the Raytheon Company. 

Earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Physics from Harvey Mudd College, Ms. Simpson also holds a Master of Science degree in Engineering from California State University, Northridge and a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Arizona.  She is a Fellow of both the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) and the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).

Ms. Simpson holds both an Airline Transport Pilot certificate and a Certified Flight Instructor license, and has logged nearly 3,000 hours of flying in more than 60 different types of aircraft including floatplanes, flying boats, unmanned drones, and multi-engine jets.