Take Flight
Three Aerospace Engineers Say “Check Out Our Field.
By Barbara Woodworth
Marla Aldama,
Group Engineering Manager,
B/E Aerospace
“The aerospace field is growing and will continue to do so,”
says Marla Aldama, stressing the continuing need for good engineers.
Originally from Barranquilla, Colombia, Aldama is VIP completions group
engineering manager at Miami, FL-based B/E Aerospace, Inc <http://www.beaerospace.com/>.
Having come to the United States in 1987 after graduating from high
school and Barranquilla’s Colombo-American Institute for Business—at
which business and English were taught simultaneously—Aldama moved
to Miami where she perfected her English and embarked on the technological
phase of her education.
Beginning with basic computer classes, Aldama advanced to in-depth study
of design and computer-assisted design (CAD). Following her graduation
from Miami Lakes Technical Institute, she began her life’s work
in the aerospace industry. “I started at Aircraft Modular Products
(later acquired by B/E Aerospace) as a mechanical designer under the
supervision of a program engineer,” she relates. Her promotion
to project engineer led to work on such small aircraft as Cessna, LearJet,
and Gulfstream.
With her career “a flight,” Aldama’s next moved to
larger aircraft, where she was designed units installed in sizeable
aircraft—among them Boeing 747s—for larger completion centers,
including Lufthansa Technik and Jet Aviation. “In the process,
I was introduced to mechanical engineering, a sector at which I became
increasingly proficient and knowledgeable,” she says.
Subsequent promotions to engineering supervisor, and later to engineering
manager for the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) engineering group,
led to a lateral move to the aftermarket-engineering group—now
the VIP Completions Group. “When it was determined that a dedicated
engineering manager was needed for this fast-growing business, I was
appointed,” states Aldama, who has served in this capacity for
the past year.
As the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft interior products,
and the leading distributor of aerospace fasteners, B/E Aerospace designs,
develops, and manufactures a broad range of products for commercial
aircraft and business jets. With manufacturing facilities in the U.S.
and Europe, and a workforce that currently exceeds 3,000, B/E’s
headquarters in fast-growing Miami makes its geographic location ideal
to conduct business on a worldwide scale.
Reflecting on her initial exposure to the aerospace industry, Aldama
recalls, “It occurred by chance. I happened to take a telephone
call from a family friend asking if my husband knew of anyone interested
in designing aircraft interior products. Of course, I told him I was
interested!”
Citing the many technological advances occurring in her industry, Aldama
remarks, “We’re constantly challenged to keep up with technology
as we strive to make our products lighter, more efficient, and faster
without compromising quality.” Accordingly, in her area, she cites
proficiency in technology, with an emphasis on mechanical engineering,
as important for success. “Individuals in the aerospace sector
must be detail-oriented and able to work at a fast pace. Good problem-solving
skills are a must as customers consistently challenge us to come up
with new and innovative designs,” advises Aldama who, over the
years, has gained considerable experience and developed excellent customer
relationships.
For Aldama, that relationship is particularly important. “I find
it tremendously satisfying to work on a program from beginning to end,
from conception to completion, and to be able to deliver a product to
a satisfied customer,” says this wife, mother of two daughters,
and well-regarded community volunteer.
Sylvia Zachary,
Senior Engineering Manager,
Cubic Defense Applications
While not many professionals can be said to spearhead efforts that
result in an engineering department’s annual saving of $200,000—that
is not the case for Sylvia Zachary. As senior engineering manager, digital
design, at San Diego, CA-based Cubic Defense Applications <http://www.cubic.com/>,
Zachary developed a strategy that materialized into an effective engineering
development tools and training program.
With a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts
Institute of Technology and a master’s degree from San Diego State
University, Zachary additionally holds software project management certification
from the University of California, San Diego. In high school she built
on her love of math and science by attending a career workshop at which
she focused on computer science as a career possibility. In a Fortran
class, however, she soon discovered that her interest was peaked more
by what made the machine work rather than programming the machine. Coupling
this discovery with being told, during an Upward Bound program, that
one could expect to work from 20 to 40 years, Zachary was motivated
to choose a field she knew she’d enjoy. “That’s when
I decided on electrical engineering,” she explains.
The daughter of a career Army father, Zachary developed a long-held
pride and respect for the men and women who serve this country. This
patriotism, along with her interest to design technical systems that
prepare America’s military to succeed, made joining Cubic Defense
Applications a natural selection. Cubic is a provider of world-class
training readiness and communication solutions to military forces. Zachary
explains, “Working at Cubic aligns my interest to develop technology
with the training and provision of the tools necessary for our military
to perform their jobs.”
Her position today further incorporates her wealth of previous experience,
both at a major corporation and as an African-American technologist-entrepreneur.
Among her professional expertise is the design, development, testing—via
simulation and in the lab—and documentation of printed circuit
boards and hardware modules for aircraft radio systems and air and ground
simulation systems; serving as technical lead for multi-board assemblies
and hardware modules; and direct customer interface and management of
a 30-person technical conference staff with a profit margin that exceeded
budget estimates by 40 percent.
In her current position, Zachary oversees cost, schedule, and technical
performance of a 20- to 43-person department charged to develop and
document digital hardware products for communication and training product
lines. Defining the aerospace/defense industry as a challenging field
that utilizes the latest technology needed in war and peace, she says:
“I enjoy my work, the people, and the technology I work with and
the opportunity Cubic provides to explore various career paths.”
Identifying critical thinking and analytical skills, curiosity, excellent
communication, personal motivation, and the ability to work well in
teams as vital for success in her industry, Zachary emphasizes the importance
to expose minority students to role models and organizations, such as
the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE), that promote education
and technology for precollege students.
A member of the San Diego Council of Black Engineers and Scientists
and the University of California, San Diego leadership and management
program (LAMP), Zachary is additionally a member of NSBE–Alumni
Extension, San Diego and an alumni of the National Council for Minorities
and Women (NCME) and LEAD of San Diego, Inc. Over the years she has
both been nominated, and has received, numerous professional awards,
including the 2001 “Technical Woman in Industry” award.
A math tutor and an avid community volunteer, she concludes, “I’m
grateful for what I have today. My work at Cubic satisfies my intellect.
My service to my community fulfills my soul. I enjoy giving back to
others and, in large measure, credit my parents and my faith for fostering
my achievements.”
Jacob Torrez,
Senior Software Engineer,
Ball Aerospace & Technologies
A 1994 bachelor’s of science in computer engineering graduate
of the University of Colorado at Boulder, Jacob Torrez is now senior
software engineer at Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp, Boulder,
CO.
With a workforce of approximately 3,000, Ball Aerospace & Technologies
Corp <http://www.ball.com/>
supports critical missions of important national agencies such as the
Department of Defense, NASA, the National Oceanic & Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), and other U.S. government and commercial entities.
According to Torrez, Ball develops and manufactures spacecraft, advanced
instruments and sensors, components, data exploitation systems, and
radio frequency (RF) solutions for strategic, tactical, and scientific
applications. He notes, too, that for more than 50 years the company
has been responsible for numerous technological and scientific firsts
and acts as a technology innovator for the aerospace market.
With an interest in engineering dating back to about age seven, Torrez
fondly remembers spending time with an uncle who loved to dismantle
radios and other electronics in order to “fix” them. “I
recall seeing his ‘works-in-progress’ strewn about his room
and wanting to help him put them back together,” he says. He also
credits the first Star Wars movie with intensifying his interest in
outer space and robotics. “As I grew older and realized that electrical
engineers built radios, robots, and spaceships, I prepared to major
in that field by taking a high concentration of math and science courses,”
remembers Torrez. “Without realizing it, I also prepared myself
for my future career in software engineering by taking programming classes
and fondly remember the fun I had programming small games and image
programs.”
It was during his junior year in college that his high-school dream
to be an engineer at a major aerospace company was realized. Accepted
for an internship at Ball, Torrez recalls, “This experience presented
an extraordinary introduction to the field of aerospace. It was a major
factor to solidify my decision to work in this field as a software engineer.”
Currently involved in developing software for test sets used to validate
flight electronics, he is responsible for all phases of the development
cycle, including creation requirements, design, implementation, testing,
hardware integration, and ongoing support. “Many of Ball’s
projects are related to support scientific missions for NASA,”
says Torrez, adding that his career in aerospace/defense-related engineering
has been exceptionally rewarding. “The opportunities to grow as
an engineer have been numerous,” he adds.
Torrez does, however, categorize today as a demanding time for all engineering
disciplines in aerospace and believes the sector will face increased
challenges to become more efficient while maintaining the high quality
demands of the industry. Still he views the future as bright and points
to Ball as a leader in its ability to schedule, cost, and develop products.
In his hope to encourage more members of minority groups to consider
a career in aerospace engineering, Torrez participates in mentoring
and diversity activities. “Ball Aerospace actively works toward
preparing minorities for engineering positions,” he notes. He
highlights, too, the importance of family encouragement mentioning that
although no one in his family had a background in engineering he was
intentionally introduced to science.”
In addition to an engineering degree, Torrez cites persistence along
with communication, problem-solving, and general interpersonal skills
as important for success in his field. Experienced in four types of
software architecture, he is well able to apply his knowledge to engineering
problems. “Looking back at the times I pushed myself to solve
a problem or learn something new, I realize how much these experiences
help me in my job today,” he says. “It’s rewarding
to see the successful outcome of the long process of problem-solving.
I enjoy looking at a problem for the first time, slowly working it through,
and developing a solution. I find it intriguing, too, to see how my
initial thoughts evolve and how other engineers add to my initial solutions.”
