Chris Lillywhite

Global Engineering Executive | Vice President | Department Head | Rocket Lab | Tesla | Rivian | GM

New Zealand

About

I am a seasoned engineering executive who offers demonstrated ability to adapt and succeed across a diverse range of work environments and sectors. I have extensive international experience as a senior leader in both small chaotic high-tech start-ups and mature, structured global organizations. I have delivered small projects and billion-dollar projects. I’ve scaled up teams in times of growth and reduced workforce sizes in tough times. I have led Operations, Construction and Engineering teams, both large and small. I hold a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering degree (Hons) from University of SA and am a Certified Practicing Project Director (Australian Institute of Project Managers). Underpinning this experience is my strong engineering technical depth and leadership expertise to inspire and motivate teams to rally around a company mission and do the best work of their careers. I am very comfortable collaborating, advising and partnering with senior leaders to drive organisational growth and success. My fundamentals mindset coupled with my disciplined approach has enabled successful delivery of solutions to very complex challenges.

Experience

  • Rocket Lab (1 yr 8 mos)
    • Head of Global Manufacturing Engineering
      Apr 2025 - Present · 1 yr 3 mos

    • Executive Advisor
      Nov 2024 - Apr 2025 · 6 mos

  • Rivian (3 yrs 11 mos)
    • Vice President
      Jun 2022 - May 2024 · 2 yrs

      Department head for Rivian Manufacturing Engineering leading a large technical team responsible to deliver full factories. Our work spans across the entire vehicle lifecycle from the early stages (responsible for Design for Manufacture) through factory site planning, assembly equipment design, vehicle prototype builds, factory equipment installation, commissioning to fully ramped production. Department skill sets include Manufacturing Engineering (Battery, Drive Unit, Stamping, Plastics, Body, Paint, General Assembly), Building Infrastructure Design, Virtual Engineering, Factory Software, Automation and Controls, Technical Program Management, Dimensional Engineering, Pilot build Operations.

    • Senior Director
      Jul 2020 - Jun 2022 · 2 yrs

  • Director of Hardware Engineering at Commercial construction start up
    Jun 2019 - Jul 2020 · 1 yr 2 mos

    Company in Stealth mode. Head hunted by the executive team to lead up a Product Engineering team and help scale the business.

  • Senior Manager - Manufacturing at Carbon
    Oct 2018 - Jun 2019 · 9 mos

    Manufacturing Engineering & Operations leader - Developed and implemented lean production systems and visual management processes - Transitioned the production culture from research & development to volume manufacture

  • Tesla (San Francisco Bay Area)
    • Senior Manager, Manufacturing Engineering
      Nov 2016 - Sep 2018 · 1 yr 11 mos

      Manufacturing Engineering leader - Direct reporting to the executive leadership team - Full accountability for successful delivery of major capital projects & product launches - Building, developing, leading and motivating technical teams to become extraordinary - Responsible for developing a full manufacturing road map to achieve organizational goals - Defining innovative (industry first) solutions to complex problems - Complete project management responsibility - schedule, budget, safety, quality, performance - Leader of a 300+ person workforce during intense equipment installation periods

    • Advanced Technology Manufacturing Engineering Manager
      Sep 2014 - Nov 2016 · 2 yrs 3 mos

      Manufacturing Engineering Leader for new technology introduction and R&D projects - Guest speaker at Industry Conference - Friction Stir Welding - Defined quality assurance methodologies - Created templates, tools and standards for Manufacturing Engineering work practices