--- title: Team Spotlight - Nick Fanning, Mechanical Design Engineer description: Nick brings both passion and experience in machining and manufacturing to his role as a mechanical engineer at Benchmark. image: https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hubfs/Team%20Member%20Spotlight%20-%20Nick%20Fanning.png --- [Skip to main content](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/team-spotlight-nick-fanning-mechanical-design-engineer#main-content) [![Benchmark Space Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Benchmark-Logo-ALLWHITE.png?width=160&height=38&name=Benchmark-Logo-ALLWHITE.png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/) [![Benchmark Space Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Benchmark%20Logo%20Color%20Transparent%20Background.png?width=160&height=38&name=Benchmark%20Logo%20Color%20Transparent%20Background.png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/) - [Home](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com) - [Products](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products) - [High-Test Peroxide Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products/high-test-peroxide) - [ASCENT Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/ascent) - [Electric Propulsion Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products-electric-propulsion) - [Company](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/company) - [News](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news) - [Careers](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/careers) - [Contact](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/contact-us) - [Home](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com) - [Products](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products) - [High-Test Peroxide Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products/high-test-peroxide) - [ASCENT Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/ascent) - [Electric Propulsion Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products-electric-propulsion) - [Company](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/company) - [News](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news) - [Careers](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/careers) - [Contact](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/contact-us) # Team Spotlight - Nick Fanning, Mechanical Design Engineer - By [Benchmark Space Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/author/benchmark-space-systems) - Jun 9, 2025 ![Nick Fanning Mechanical Design Engineer](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Team%20Member%20Spotlight%20-%20Nick%20Fanning.png?width=458&height=458&name=Team%20Member%20Spotlight%20-%20Nick%20Fanning.png)Meet Nick Nick brings both passion and experience in machining and manufacturing to his role as a mechanical engineer at Benchmark. He demonstrates high-level ownership of the projects he leads while bringing hardware to life through sound design and staying engaged through the build and test process to keep production running smoothly. **Time at Benchmark:** 2.5 years What is your role at Benchmark? My main role as a mechanical design engineer is to conceptualize, design, and realize hardware for space. This includes designing products spanning from thrusters to complete propulsion systems! What projects are you currently working on? Since joining Benchmark, I have contributed as a primary designer developing the propulsion system for [The Exploration Company’s (TEC)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/the-exploration-company) second demonstrator flight “Mission Possible.” I have also worked extensively on the design of our flagship engine, the [Ocelot](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products/high-test-peroxide) 22 newton thruster. Currently, I am acting as the mechanical lead for an exciting project looking at qualification and manufacturing readiness for ASCENT-based propulsion systems. [ASCENT](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/ascent) gets about 50 percent more impulse per gallon of fuel than hydrazine, so it could be a real game changer for the industry. What do you do for fun outside of work? When I'm not at work, you can find me on one of my bikes climbing Vermont’s beautiful back roads. Or uncontrollably descending a ski slope!   *Nick hits the trail in Vermont ![Nick Fanning Mountain Bike](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Nick%20Mountain%20Bike.jpeg?width=400&height=650&name=Nick%20Mountain%20Bike.jpeg)*      [PREVIOUS POST](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/coo-wesley-grove-on-the-my-true-position-manufacturing-podcast) ![image](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hubfs/MTP%20Podcast%20Wes%20Grove%20Main%20Image.png) ### COO Wesley Grove on the "My True Position" Manufacturing Podcast [NEXT POST](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/press-release-leadership-transition-2025) ### Press Release: Founder Ryan McDevitt Transitions to CTO, Wesley Grove Steps into CEO Position ![image](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hubfs/Wes%20and%20Ryan%20Mezzanine-1.jpeg) [whatsapp://send?text=https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/team-spotlight-nick-fanning-mechanical-design-engineer](whatsapp://send?text=https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/team-spotlight-nick-fanning-mechanical-design-engineer) ### Related Posts [[![Benchmark Selected to Conduct DARPA LASSO Feasibility Study](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/DARPA%20LASSO%20Sapphire%20Main%20Image.jpg?width=352&name=DARPA%20LASSO%20Sapphire%20Main%20Image.jpg)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/benchmark-selected-by-darpa-to-conduct-lasso-feasibility-study-for-lunar-water-resource-mapping)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/benchmark-selected-by-darpa-to-conduct-lasso-feasibility-study-for-lunar-water-resource-mapping) [News](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/tag/news) ### [Benchmark Space Systems Selected by DARPA to Conduct LASSO Feasibility Study for Lunar Water Resource Mapping](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/benchmark-selected-by-darpa-to-conduct-lasso-feasibility-study-for-lunar-water-resource-mapping) [[![Benchmark propels Varda's W-4](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Varda%20Announcement%20Image-2.jpg?width=352&name=Varda%20Announcement%20Image-2.jpg)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/benchmark-propels-varda-w-4-mission)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/benchmark-propels-varda-w-4-mission) [High-Test Peroxide](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/tag/high-test-peroxide) ### [From Mission Concept to Reentry Support, Benchmark Propels Varda](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/benchmark-propels-varda-w-4-mission) [[![Team Member Spotlight - Colin Waddell, Avionics Architect](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Team%20Member%20Spotlight%20-%20Colin%20Waddell.png?width=352&name=Team%20Member%20Spotlight%20-%20Colin%20Waddell.png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/team-spotlight-colin-waddell-avionics-architect)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/team-spotlight-colin-waddell-avionics-architect) [News](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/tag/news) ### [Team Spotlight - Colin Waddell, Avionics Architect](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/team-spotlight-colin-waddell-avionics-architect) [[![Benchmark announces LASSO partners](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/LASSO%20LinkedIn%20Post%20Templates-2.png?width=352&name=LASSO%20LinkedIn%20Post%20Templates-2.png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/benchmark-announces-lasso-program-partners)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/benchmark-announces-lasso-program-partners) [News](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/tag/news) ### [Benchmark Announces LASSO Program Partners](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/benchmark-announces-lasso-program-partners) [![Benchmark Space Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hubfs/Benchmark-Logo-ALLWHITE.png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/) Designing and manufacturing propulsion systems for responsive, sustainable in-space operations. ![US-United-States-Flag-icon](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/US-United-States-Flag-icon.png?width=40&height=40&name=US-United-States-Flag-icon.png) - 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