Rebecca Fontenette

Rebecca Fontenette is a seasoned engineering and operations leader with a proven track record of guiding complex projects and scaling high-performing teams. Currently serving as VP of Engineering & Technical Operations at Haptech Defense Systems, she leverages her expertise to strengthen organizational alignment, accelerate execution, and embed operational discipline across engineering and product teams. Her experience spans overseeing multimillion-dollar hardware development projects, establishing PMOs, and driving strategic initiatives that connect long-term goals to day-to-day operations.

Rebecca’s career began with a foundation in mechanical engineering at Louisiana State University, where her curiosity for solving technical challenges evolved into a passion for operational excellence and strategic leadership. Early in her career, she played a pivotal role in a multibillion-dollar LNG project in Australia, navigating an undefined role to recover critical schedule time and ensure a safe startup—a formative experience that shaped her approach to leadership under ambiguity.

Beyond her technical acumen, Rebecca thrives at the intersection of strategy, execution, and team alignment. She has a talent for building structure in fast-moving environments, fostering cross-functional collaboration, and translating complex challenges into actionable plans. A dedicated mentor and active member of the Society of Women Engineers, she remains committed to supporting growth, both within her teams and across the broader engineering community.