Aix-en-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
John Villanueva is a senior metrology expert with deep specialization in precision inspection across both small-scale and large-volume systems, precision mechanical integration, and dimensional engineering, including advanced application of GD&T. He brings over 30 years of experience spanning critical production and engineering disciplines, including metrology, precision alignment and integration, fabrication, manufacturing and assembly operations, quality engineering, instrument calibration and certification, Gage R&R, and technical documentation. Mr. Villanueva’s career reflects a progression of both technical mastery and leadership. He has held roles as a mechanical technician, metrology and production floor supervisor, and technical project manager, combining hands-on execution with strategic oversight. He began his engineering career in the United States Air Force, serving as an Aircraft Structural Specialist with Air Force Systems Command and later as a Combat Structural Specialist with Air Force Logistics Command, the 2951st an AF Depot. He was honorably discharged with distinction. Following his military service, Mr. Villanueva joined Lockheed Martin, where his performance led to his advancement to Mechanical/Metrology Engr. In this role, he supported several high-visibility programs, including the U.S. Navy’s Fleet Ballistic Missile program (Polaris through Trident II D5 systems), commercial and defense satellite platforms, and the International Space Station. He later joined the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Ignition Facility (NIF) as the lead Metrology Engineer for final mechanical integration. There, he played a key role in automating assembly coordinate generation, enabling the alignment of the 192 laser beams, performing target chamber centering calculations, and developing metrology drawings and diagnostic positioning systems. He subsequently served as a QE supporting NIF target production operations. Over the course of his career, Mr. Villanueva has established a strong reputation for technical excellence within the global metrology and precision engineering community. He has authored technical papers, presented at international metrology conferences, served as a consultant, and held leadership roles, including Vice Chairman of an ASTM metrology committee. Most recently, he served as the campus QE Metrology SME at Northrop Grumman, California. He currently serves as a Dimensional Control Engineer on the ITER project in France, where he continues to advance the boundaries of precision metrology and complex mechanical integration.
John Villanueva has accepted the honor of being selected as one of the metrology SME's to assist in the construction and commissioning of the ITER tokamak. Managing metrology activities and strategies regarding component inspections, integrations and final positioning. ITER ("The Way" in Latin/ International Thermal Energy Reactor) is currently one of the most ambitious energy projects and is also the largest large-scale precision metrology endeavor in the world today. In southern France, 35 nations are collaborating to build the world's largest tokamak, an experimental machine designed to harness the energy of fusion. The ITER tokamak, a magnetic fusion device with a plasma radius (R) of 6.2 m and a plasma volume of 840 m³ has been designed to prove the feasibility of fusion as a large-scale and carbon-free source of energy based on the same principle that powers our Sun and stars. The experimental campaign that will be carried out at ITER is crucial to advancing fusion science and preparing the way for the fusion power plants of tomorrow.
Metrology subject matter expert (SME) consultant.
Responsible quality engineer for metrology strategy, inspection and gage R & R
Responsible metrology engineer for precision integration and precision installation development