Andre Pate is a Metal Additive Manufacturing Engineer and Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI). With over a decade of dedicated experience in additive manufacturing, Andre specializes in metals for aerospace and space applications, demonstrating a consistent ability to push technological boundaries and drive innovation.​ Andre's notable career highlights include establishing the metal additive manufacturing laboratory at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and driving numerous metal AM applications from inception through production at GA-ASI. Between 2016 and 2021, he was instrumental in qualifying the first-ever metal AM components to successfully land on Mars as part of NASA’s Perseverance Rover mission. Additionally, his pivotal contributions to developing JPL’s LPBF processes significantly advanced the organization's capabilities, leading to full qualification under NASA standards. At GA-ASI, Andre has qualified multiple metal AM systems, materials, and suppliers. These efforts have significantly advanced GA-ASI's ability to produce metal AM production hardware for current and future Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) platforms.​ He believes that groundbreaking innovation is achieved through collaborative effort, team strength, and the courage to challenge convention. His professional philosophy revolves around hard work, empowering his team, and the relentless pursuit of what others consider impossible.​