Sean Arrieta

Sean Arrieta is the NASA operations manager for Integrated Operations in Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Prior to this position, Arrieta was NASA operations manager for Spacecraft Offline Operations in Exploration Ground Systems at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida

His responsibilities for Offline Operations include overseeing the team in planning and executing all operations, testing, and checkout tasks for the Orion spacecraft. Arrieta’s role includes overseeing various operations, such as propellant loading, pneumatic servicing, electrical and data checkouts, and various mechanical integrations on Orion, the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, the Orion stage adapter, and various payloads that will fly on Orion and the Space Launch System (SLS). The team is also responsible for the sustaining engineering and maintenance of the ground systems in the facilities supporting these operations.

As the operations manager, Arrieta’s focus is to ensure offline requirements and obligations are safely and promptly executed on schedule for delivery to the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) in time for launch. He works closely with the operations contractor to project long-term schedules and milestones, while also managing the execution of daily and weekly resources.

Experience

Arrieta began working at Kennedy as a contractor in November 2015 and began work for NASA in January 2018. Prior to his current role, he served as the core stage element operations manager. He was responsible for planning and execution, at the task and system level, for the SLS core stage and four RS-25 engines. His team was responsible for core stage arrival at the wharf, transportation in the VAB, rotation and stacking onto the mobile launcher, and configuration of the stage for launch.

Awards

He received a NASA Certificate of Achievement in 2019 for his support to the Orion Ascent Abort II flight test.

Education

Arrieta received a Bachelor of Science in mechanical engineering, in December 2014, from the University of Central Florida.

Personal

Though Arrieta was born in Voorhees, New Jersey, he grew up in Niceville, Florida, located on the state’s Emerald Coast. He now resides in Chuluota, Florida, with his wife, Amanda, and daughter, Sophia.

Outside of work, Arrieta enjoys basketball, Italian cooking, and World War II history.

Biography last updated February 2024