Jim Chilton, SVP of Space and Launch at Boeing

Jim Chilton, a 2017 Wash100 winner, is the senior vice president of the space and launch division of Boeing's defense, space and security business unit, a position he had held since April 2018.

Chilton took on the role during a period of operation restructuring aimed at focusing on important markets and meeting customer needs faster, Boeing said.

The 37-year company veteran previously served as the president of Boeing's network and space systems division, whose focus was later realigned toward space and launch programs for government and commercial customers. 

Boeing's network and space systems unit boasts a portfolio that includes the International Space Station, the CST-100 Starliner commercial crew vehicle, NASA's Space Launch System, government and commercial satellite systems and Boeing's participation in United Launch Alliance. 

Chilton was also the division's vice president and general manager. He was previously the vice president and program manager for the SLS, a super-heavy lift expendable launch vehicle developed for NASA. 

Before working on the SLS, Chilton was the program manager for the Checkout, Assembly and Payload Processing Services contract at NASA's Kennedy Space Center.  

He started his career with Boeing in 1984 as a turbo machinery development engineer at the Rocketdyne division, later holding various roles in engine test and launch operations. 

Outside Boeing, Chilton served on the boards of directors of the National Children's Advocacy Center and the Astronautical Federation industry relations committee. 

Chilton earned a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from Washington State University and a master's degree from the Florida Institute of Technology.