Founder/CEO

Jonathan Criss brings over 13 years of experience from his tenure at SpaceX, where he served as Lead Integration and Test Engineer and Product Manager on both the Starlink and Dragon programs. Jonathan played a pivotal role in the product development lifecycle, overseeing the delivery of the first reusable spacecraft. His extensive expertise spans UX, growth engineering, and product development, and he has successfully brought numerous Starlink products to market around the world. Jonathan’s passion for innovation and deep technical knowledge position him as a leader dedicated to advancing impactful technologies.

Co-founder/COO

Andrew Harner, a Stanford graduate with 9 years of experience at SpaceX, brings a unique blend of aerospace engineering and startup consulting expertise to Vital Lyfe. With a strong background in building and scaling startups, Andrew is a skilled leader dedicated to lean methodologies and agile development processes, ensuring that Vital Lyfe stays efficient and responsive to market demands. His high work ethic and technical excellence make him an invaluable asset in driving the company’s innovation and growth.

Staff Engineer

Ben Parks is a UIUC graduate with 13 years of aerospace engineering experience. He worked on SpaceX's Dragon programs, delivering cargo to the International Space Station and helping create the first crewed capsule, and later designed launch vehicles at Relativity Space. While specializing in electrical engineering, Ben has also developed expertise in mechanical and software engineering. He believes great engineering is only achieved through teamwork and is dedicated to fostering a strong, collaborative environment at Vital Lyfe.

Strategic Operations Manager

Lawrence brings 11 years of supply chain and site development experience from SpaceX to Vital Lyfe. He is passionate about driving growth and optimizing operations when scaling from NPI to production. With a deep understanding of complex supply chains, logistics, infrastructure development, and operational execution, Lawrence plays a key role in scaling Vital Lyfe’s impact. His expertise in building and managing high-performance supply chains ensures the company remains efficient and resilient as it expands.

Mechanical Engineer

Rachna Igwe, a Northeastern University Chemical Engineering graduate, specializes in materials and mechanical engineering applications. With expertise in coatings, composite membranes, and high-performance energy systems, she applies a multidisciplinary approach to complex engineering challenges. Passionate about sustainability and innovation, she is committed to developing advanced technologies that address real-world problems and drive meaningful progress.

Engineering Manager

David brings deep experience in hardware design and manufacturing from six years at SpaceX, where he worked across Falcon, Starlink Consumer, and Starlink Aviation. He led a team on Starship’s Payload Volume through its first successful orbital test flight, thriving in fast-paced environments where scale drives impact. After SpaceX, he drove from Alaska to Argentina—a journey that sharpened his perspective on the global need for clean water. At Vital Lyfe, he’s focused on engineering systems that improve lives at scale.

Water Scientist 

Radwan is a water scientist with deep expertise in advanced treatment and desalination. With a Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, he brings a sharp technical lens to membrane processes, nanomaterials, and electrochemical systems. His work bridges lab innovation and pilot-scale validation, with a focus on optimizing performance and reducing energy use. Radwan leads Vital Lyfe’s water quality strategy and testing protocols, ensuring every system meets the highest international standards. He is dedicated to developing impactful technologies that address real-world water challenges.

Mechanical Engineer

Ben brings over five years of hands-on experience in electromechanical engineering, with a background spanning aerospace and industrial automation. His strengths lie in clean-sheet mechanical design, systems optimization, and full-cycle product development. At Vital Lyfe, Ben is focused on developing rugged, high-performance hardware built for real-world conditions. He contributes to the mechanical design and integration of key systems, ensuring that every product is engineered with precision, durability, and purpose in mind.

Electrical Engineer

Mike leads electrical design and integration at Vital Lyfe, focusing on system bring-up, custom PCB development, and controls firmware. His work bridges early-stage hardware and software, supporting internal testbeds that drive reliability, performance, and scalability across the platform. He brings a background in R&D across residential, commercial, and industrial power systems, with deep experience in firmware development, power electronics, and automated test infrastructure. He looks forward to applying his skills to a product with real-world impact.

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