Title: Program Manager
Company: Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc.
Location: Titusville, Florida, United States
Rigel Borgesen, MBA, Program Manager at Airbus U.S. Space & Defense Inc., has been recognized by Marquis Who’s Who Top Executives for dedication, achievements and leadership in Aerospace and Defense.
Mr. Borgesen, a leader in aerospace defense, has served as a program manager at Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc., since 2025. In this capacity, he focuses on product development and customer delivery, as well as on manufacturing process improvements and cost-reduction initiatives. Mr. Borgesen’s expertise in transitioning development agencies to contracts has been instrumental in streamlining operations and enhancing the organization’s output.
Before joining Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc., Mr. Borgesen was the manager of manufacturing operations and assembly at Blue Origin from 2024 to 2025. Previously affiliated with Blue Origin for several years, he served as a manufacturing operations leader from 2022 to 2024, during which he drove improvements in production efficiency and capability development. Mr. Borgesen also served as a production control specialist at Blue Origin from 2021 to 2022, overseeing critical supply chain and production scheduling functions.
During his tenure at Blue Origin, Mr. Borgesen led the insourcing of highly specialized metal-forming and welding processes, specifically spin and bellows forming for aerospace components. Despite industry skepticism and limited global expertise, Mr. Borgesen successfully brought these capabilities in-house, enabling production for Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket and lunar program. This achievement laid the foundation for scalable manufacturing and later informed his work at Airbus Space and Defense, where he applied those insights to streamline product lines and improve delivery efficiency.
During his time at Blue Origin, Mr. Borgesen was invited to serve as an independent consultant for Dialectica, a firm that connects companies with industry experts. Over the past few years, he has continued advising on various aerospace and defense projects, particularly those related to insourcing. Mr. Borgesen’s role typically involves several monthly calls to assess client needs, followed by detailed consultations during which he shares insights and recommendations based on his extensive experience.
In 2021, Mr. Borgesen worked at Pluralsight, LLC, as a procurement contracts manager, where he managed supplier relationships and contract negotiations to support organizational objectives. From 2017 to 2021, he excelled as a supply chain manager at NavyMWR Cape Canaveral, directing logistics operations that supported military personnel and their families.
Mr. Borgesen’s professional journey began with distinguished service in the U.S. Navy as a logistics specialist. Initially assigned to the USS Pittsburgh SSN 720 from 2013 to 2017, he continued his service in broader logistics roles until 2021.
Academically, Mr. Borgesen earned a Bachelor of Science in logistics, materials and supply chain management at Purdue University Global in 2021 and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Florida in 2024. He also received certification in strategic management of business, public affairs and public policy from The Washington Campus in 2024.
Civically engaged, Mr. Borgesen volunteers with Hire Heroes USA and the Military Officers Association of America, supporting veterans’ transition into civilian careers and advocating for military families.
Throughout his military career, Mr. Borgesen demonstrated exceptional leadership and operational acumen, earning five U.S. Navy and U.S. Marine Corps Achievement Medals and recognition as the Sailor of the Quarter and Junior Sailor of the Quarter. He attributes his success in both his military and civilian careers to a deep desire to make a lasting impact, driven by the belief that his contributions should endure beyond his lifetime and help make the world a better place.
Looking ahead, Mr. Borgesen plans to return to the advanced manufacturing work he previously led by establishing a local company to produce highly complex aerospace components. He is also passionate about mentoring and developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople, to revive expertise that has diminished since NASA’s shuttle program was decommissioned. This effort is reinforced by Mr. Borgesen’s experience at Blue Origin, which emphasizes both capability building and talent cultivation in critical technologies.
For more information, please visit:
Contact Mr. Borgesen:
