Stephanie Sawhill

Stephanie Sawhill serves as Chief Technologist at Karman Space & Defense, a position she assumed in May 2026. In this role, she drives the company’s continued growth by advancing next-generation technologies and integrated system solutions. She also focuses on strengthening long-term relationships with industry partners and representing Karman in external forums. Ms. Sawhill brings more than 20 years of experience in the aerospace industry, with expertise in liquid and solid propulsion, advanced materials, energetics, and hypersonic systems technologies.

Prior to this role, she served as Chief Growth Officer at Karman from 2022 to 2026, where she led business development and product growth strategies. Over her tenure, she managed critical programs that expanded the company’s integrated systems portfolio.

She currently holds a position on the AIAA Propulsion & Energy Group and has held leadership positions on the Energetic Components and Systems Technical Committee. Ms. Sawhill has previously held leading positions at Karman including Senior Research Chemist from 2012-2013, Engineering IPT Lead 2013-2016, Director, Space & Propulsion Systems 2016-2018, Director followed by VP of Strategy & Business Development 2018-2022, and Chief Growth (Business Development) Officer role starting in 2022. In addition, she is the co-author of multiple patents and papers in AIAA, IEEE, Ceramics International, JANNAF and other publications.

Ms. Sawhill received a Master of Science from Western Washington University in 2003. Additionally, Ms. Sawhill received a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry with a minor in Physics from Western Washington University in 2002.