Wang Zhiyao is an expert on aerospace products engineering and a researcher for the Chinese Aerospace Science and Technology Corporation. He graduated from Wuhu Motor Manufacturing School in 1964 and has worked for the Institute of Automation at the CAS ever since. Between 1991 and 2003 he visited many countries to investigate and learn foreign advanced manufacturing technology, including America, Russia, Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Sweden and Switzerland.

Wang has been engaged in research on spacecraft materials and technology. His invention, spark cutting super thick workpieces, won second prize for a single invention at the national level. He was rated as one of the young and middle-aged experts who have made outstanding contributions by the Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics. In 1991, he started receiving a special government subsidy. He was also awarded a second-class merit citation for the successful launch of a communications satellite in 1987, and a first class merit citation for the successful launch of the Shenzhou spacecraft in 2003. In 2005, he received the lifetime achievement award for national scientific and technical workers.

Wang is one of the chief lecturers for the mechanical engineering discipline development experts' rostrum at the OUC, and has made great contributions to the improvement of the academic abilities of the OUC’s teaching staff.