United Semiconductors Names Dr. Rose Hernandez to Lead Space Semiconductor Strategy and Commercialization

Renowned materials scientist and technology strategist joins as Executive Director, Technology Strategy and Innovation, strengthening USLLC’s drive to scale III-V, AI-enabled and quantum semiconductor technologies from microgravity to market.

United Semiconductors LLC (USLLC) today announced the appointment of Dr. Rose Hernandez as Executive Director, Technology Strategy and Innovation, adding a proven leader in materials science, advanced technology development and commercialization to the company’s executive team.

Dr. Hernandez will help guide USLLC’s technology strategy as the company expands its space-based advanced manufacturing capabilities and accelerates the scale-up of space-manufactured semiconductors for terrestrial and in-space markets. Her appointment supports a broader USLLC initiative spanning III-V semiconductor materials and manufacturing, AI-enabled semiconductor technologies, quantum computing and sensing, and microgravity-enabled semiconductor manufacturing.

In her new role, Dr. Hernandez will strengthen the company’s ability to align its technical capabilities with federal priorities, strategic partnerships and emerging commercial markets—helping move breakthrough semiconductor technologies from research and demonstration toward scalable manufacturing and resilient supply chains.

“Dr. Hernandez brings a distinctive combination of materials science expertise, business acumen, and a deep understanding of how technologies progress from fundamental research to real-world application. Her expertise will be a significant asset to United Semiconductors as the company advances its next generation of semiconductors and manufacturing technologies.” — Dr. Partha Dutta, Chief Technologist, United Semiconductors LLC

“Dr. Hernandez brings unique experience that will strengthen the company’s strategic commercialization execution as we engage government and industry partners across our broader advanced materials roadmap and semiconductor portfolio.” — Dr. Geeta Rajagopalan, Founder and CEO, United Semiconductors LLC

“We are proud to see Rose take this next step with United Semiconductors, an important strategic partner to Space Phoenix Systems. Her transition strengthens a relationship built around a shared interest in advancing semiconductors and advanced materials manufacturing in space. Rose’s understanding of both organizations and the broader in-space manufacturing ecosystem will help create new opportunities for collaboration as these technologies continue to scale. This is not a goodbye, but an evolution of an already important partnership - one we expect Rose’s new role will make even stronger.” — Andrew Parlock, CEO, Space Phoenix Systems

A Career Built on Turning Advanced Science into Strategic Capability

Dr. Hernandez is a materials scientist and technology leader whose career spans more than three decades across government research, advanced technology development, manufacturing, commercialization and the emerging space economy.

She began her career as a research scientist at the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), advancing critical national research in analytical chemistry, biotechnology and nanotechnology. Her work contributed technologies and scientific data to programs supported by the U.S. Air Force, the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security - establishing a career-long focus on translating fundamental science into technologies with strategic impact.

Dr. Hernandez later built a broad portfolio of advanced technology development across diverse applications, including proprietary and confidential programs. She applied deep materials science expertise to complex technical challenges and advanced technologies through development, scale-up and implementation.

She subsequently served as a domain expert for in-space manufacturing in advanced materials at the International Space Station National Laboratory. There, she supported programs in microgravity-based critical materials and technologies, helping build the scientific, technical and collaborative infrastructure needed to connect researchers, government agencies, industry and potential markets.

Most recently, Dr. Hernandez served as Chief Science Officer of Space Phoenix Systems Inc., providing scientific and technology leadership for space logistics and infrastructure supporting the emerging space economy.

Dr. Hernandez holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University and bachelor’s degrees in Chemistry and Mathematics from the University of Puerto Rico.

Strategic Significance

Dr. Hernandez’s appointment strengthens USLLC’s ability to connect technology innovation with strategic partnerships and disciplined commercialization. Her leadership will help accelerate in-space manufacturing opportunities for both terrestrial and non-terrestrial markets while advancing the company’s broader semiconductor and advanced materials roadmap.

About United Semiconductors LLC

United Semiconductors LLC is advancing next-generation semiconductor technologies for artificial intelligence, optoelectronic integrated solutions, quantum computing and quantum sensing. The company focuses on III-V semiconductor alloy substrate technologies and emerging space manufacturing platforms designed to unlock new performance, manufacturing and supply-chain possibilities for terrestrial and inspace applications.