Rockwell Names New President of Struggling Rocketdyne Division

Rockwell International Corp. on Tuesday named Paul B. Smith president of its Rocketdyne division, the space shuttle’s engine builder that has struggled with budget cuts and quality problems.

Smith succeeds Robert D. Paster, who was reassigned as president of one of Rockwell’s defense electronics units after 4 1/2 years as head of the Canoga Park-based Rocketdyne operation. The company described the transfer as routine.

Smith, 53, has been Rockwell’s senior vice president for operations and earlier headed its tactical missile programs.

Paster, 53, becomes head of the Autonetics Electronic Systems division in Anaheim, which makes guidance and control equipment for missiles and ships.

Rockwell, a Seal Beach-based concern that also has interests in auto parts, industrial automation and telecommunications, said the changes reflect its “practice of rounding out members of our top management team” with varying job assignments.

The changes do not reflect dissatisfaction with Paster’s performance at Rocketdyne, spokesman William Mellon said.

Paster nonetheless is handing Rocketdyne’s reins to Smith at a difficult period for the subsidiary.

Despite being the renowned builder of engines for the shuttle and the Atlas and Delta launch rockets, Rocketdyne has been hurt by spending cuts in U.S. space programs, including the proposed space station, whose power system is being developed by Rocketdyne.

In response, Rocketdyne has pared its work force to about 6,900 today from 9,500 in late 1989.