Barbara Woodworth

 

AEROSPACE AND DEFENSE ARE BURGEONING WITH POTENTIAL

 

Aerospace and defense: two sectors that are - and will remain - in the forefront of STEMrelated careers. As industries the country cannot do without, aerospace and defense require a significant amount of technical expertise and knowledge. They also offer a wide range of job categories, resulting in positive employment news.

 

According to James Brown, executive director of the STEM Coalition in Washington, DC, “The future of the economy is in STEM. That’s where the jobs of tomorrow will be.”

 

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) agrees. STEM-related jobs are anticipated to grow by more than 9 million between 2012 and 2022, and aerospace and defense are among those that will be along for the ride.

 

The professionals featured in this article represent a small sampling of the broad range of career paths that can be found within the aerospace and defense arenas.

 

USAF Captain Mastracchio Serves Her Country While Fulfilling Her Dreams

 

When Christin Mastracchio was a little girl, she didn’t play with Barbie dolls. She had bigger dreams. She dreamed of being a pilot, and even one day becoming an astronaut.

 

Recognizing the military offered the best and most advanced training, she joined the U.S. Air Force. Upon graduating from the U.S. Air Force Academy, her first assignment as a lieutenant was attending graduate school at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). “I studied advanced astrodynamics and even had the opportunity to learn from a professor who taught three of the men who walked on the moon,” she recounts.

 

Now an Air Force captain, and one of five airmen, she serves on board the Boeing B-52 Stratofortress, a long-range bomber. “While I’m not yet an astronaut, I’m working on becoming an Air Force test pilot - the next step before interviewing with NASA,” says Mastracchio, who was recently accepted to U.S. Air Force Test Pilot School Class 16B, Edwards Air Force Base in southern California, with an expected graduation date of June 9, 2017.

 

Acknowledging that “being an Air Force bomber pilot is more fun than I thought,” U.S. Air Force Flight Commander Mastracchio credits her engineering background for opening the doors to such amazing opportunities. “STEM, space and aviation are critical to our society and AeroAstro engineering is the ideal background to build upon when seeking to be an Air Force test pilot of theoretical and applied flight test engineering,” she notes.

 

When encouraging individuals to consider a career in aerospace and/or defense, Mastracchio defines engineering as a fulfilling profession. “Aim high,” she says. “Part of what makes engineering so outstanding is the challenging process of setting yourself up for success.”

 

Noting her own path was sometimes riddled by comments intended to discourage her from choosing a technical course of study, she cautions against giving up. She also stresses following a technical path does not mean having to give up other interests. Case in point: Mastracchio enjoys the “girlie” side of life, and once, after earning her engineering degree, she opted to become a Mary Kay beauty consultant, “an experience that actually provided considerable training that helped me ‘sell’ my engineering ideas,” she relates.

 

Dedicated to serving her country, Mastracchio urges others to do the same. “You don’t have to be in the military to serve your country,” she remarks. “Working as an engineer is one of the biggest contributions you can make. Building your career around an attitude of service to country often engenders a greater resolve due to the sheer necessity of accomplishing your mission.”

 

For Mastracchio a further benefit of her chosen career resulted in many cherished friendships. “Working with a crew to solve emerging problems is the ultimate way to bond, as well as meet a commander’s intent,” she says, voicing her hopes for increased numbers of female engineers. “Your flight through life is sustained by the power of your knowledge,” she is often known to say.

 

Currently on her way to flying 27 different types of aircraft, all while earning a master’s degree in flight test engineering, Mastracchio was recently featured in the 2015 issue of Futures – a joint service publication of the Department of Defense that reaches 86 percent of high schools nationwide and is featured online at todaysmilitary.com/futures.

 

To follow in her footsteps and for more information about serving your country through a career in the Air Force, visit airforce.com/careers.

 

Harsh’s Work at Oshkosh Protects Military Personnel

 

Working on big trucks might not be what most female engineers enjoy, but it’s ideal for Rachell Harsh, a principal controls engineer for Oshkosh Corporation. That’s because she’s loved taking things apart and getting her hands dirty ever since she was a child helping her dad fix cars.

 

“When I looked for a career where I could apply my book learning while getting my hands dirty, big rugged defense vehicles seemed a perfect fit,” says Harsh, who holds a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from the University of Wisconsin and a Master’s of Science in engineering management from the Milwaukee (WI) School of Engineering.

 

It was experiencing the company through the eyes of an intern that led Harsh to realize Oshkosh Corporation - which is headquartered in Oshkosh, WI - was the company that would meet her needs.

 

“Not only did my internship provide an opportunity to become familiar with the organization, it also served as an on-site, three-monthlong interview that allowed me to demonstrate that I would be a great asset,” says Harsh, who has now been with the company for 10 years.

 

She now leads continuous improvement of the auto-code generation process, which results in better quality and faster developed code. She’s also responsible for developing the architecture for the company’s auto-code generation in her current role. “I review all inputs, outputs and systems layouts that enable the company’s model-based design to automatically generate production code,” the engineer explains.

 

Aside from technical competency, Harsh places importance on abilities such as being self-driven and being good at problem-solving in her job. These are two traits that, she feels, would help anyone interested in the aerospace and defense sectors.

 

“Individuals who throw up their hands at the first sight of a problem might not be a good fit for the team,” she states. “These folks are in stark contrast to those who take the time to attack a problem and use their own abilities to master it - persons who are self-driven and not in need of micromanagement.”

 

Harsh sees many opportunities in the defense field, especially in the area of unmanned vehicles and safety. “Much of the technology needed to keep warfighters safe is there, but it’s very costly to implement militarized versions of smart cars. Because commercial applications are not able to handle the rigor of military testing, there is a need for people with the ability to innovate to meet these exacting needs,” she comments.

 

“With vast and varied opportunities in aerospace and defense, if you want to stay research-focused, then there’s a place for you. If you like to get your hands dirty, then there’s a place for you, as well. Electrical, mechanical, software, chemical and material - all manner of STEM-related fields are thoroughly represented within these sectors,” she continues.

 

When it comes to what she likes best about her job, “big trucks” is Harsh’s immediate answer. “I’ve traveled to some pretty cool places, worked on some pretty remarkable projects, and while I’m not much of a crier, I teared up watching a recent video showing how a truck I spent long days and nights working on saved the life of a warfighter,” she shares. “The personal testimony of family members, along with photos of the blasted vehicle in which the warfighter survived, proved to me how valuable my work is. Ultimately, my end product is much more than a truck!”

 

At Oshkosh Corporation engineering leaders have made it a priority to get involved in STEM activities within the community. In fact, Harsh is a frequent supporter of college events and job shadow programs.

 

She also once described the engineering process, from concept to production, to elementary school students using a Snap Circuits vehicle as an example of vehicles too large to fit in a classroom.

 

“The excitement was palpable when I manually operated the vehicle,” remarks Harsh, who, reflecting on some of her experiences as a female in a male-dominated field, stresses the importance of initiating STEM development in elementary school, both for girls and boys.

 

If this sounds like a fit for you, then visit oshkoshcorporation.com/careers for job opportunities.

 

Atalla Takes the Lead at UTC Aerospace Systems

 

Mauro J. Atalla, Ph.D., leads engineering and technology for Sensors & Integrated Systems (SIS), one of Charlotte, NC-based UTC Aerospace Systems eight strategic business units.

 

“I’ve always been interested in learning new technologies. And [I] enjoy living in different cities and absorbing new cultures,” says Atalla of his career path that led him to UTC, which is part of United Technologies Corporation, a global organization that provides high-technology systems and services to the building and aerospace industries.

 

Prior to joining UTC in 2000, Atalla worked in academia, first as a faculty member at Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais, Brazil, and then as a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). He holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in mechanical engineering from the State University of Campinas, Brazil; a MBA from Duke University; and a doctorate in engineering mechanics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).

 

His comprehensive technical and educational background, scientific research skills and inquisitive mind helped him move up at UTC. “I believe intellectual curiosity, adaptability and being a good team player are important characteristics of a good leader,” Atalla contends.

 

As his career progressed at UTC, he held a number of senior leadership positions, first in research and program management at the United Technologies Research Center (UTRC), then in engineering at UTC. He was promoted to his current role as vice president of engineering and technology for SIS in 2015.

 

Originally attracted to UTC for its immense variety of products and technologies, this engineering leader’s work in UTC’s research center gave him the opportunity to develop a strong understanding of the firm, its businesses and its products. “When presented with the opportunity to join UTC Aerospace Systems, the decision was easy. It provided the chance to make a difference in a diverse and growing organization,” says Atalla.

 

The SIS engineering and tech group Atalla leads supports 60-plus lines. His team’s priorities include flawless execution of development programs, product safety, implementing best practices across UTC and accelerating tech development investments.

 

“The aerospace and defense sectors are challenging and technology- driven with a huge variety of applications and disciplines. [They’re] usually first to adopt leading- edge technologies, and I strongly recommend [them] to anyone interested in continuous learning and making positive contributions to society,” he states.

 

Atalla feels the aerospace industry is undergoing significant transformation and predicted growth. “It is believed by 2030 the number of airline passengers and aircraft will nearly double, making this an exciting time to consider a career in aerospace,” asserts Atalla, who lists strong technical skills, flexibility, customer focus and a bias for action as necessary attributes for success.

 

On the job Atalla relishes the privilege of working with an incredible team of smart and talented individuals who motivate him each day. “Together we create solutions for challenges that occur in the field or during the development of new technologies, and we address collective goals with cutting-edge technology and a diverse line of quality products,” he says.

 

Beyond his day-to-day responsibilities, Atalla serves as a mentor to several UTC employees and is involved in a variety of professional organizations, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineering and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He is a member of the External Advisory Board of Virginia Tech’s Engineering Science and Mechanics Department and the co-author of seven patents and several pending applications, a book chapter, six journal papers and 29 conference papers.

 

To join UTC and follow in Atalla’s footsteps, visit jobs.utcaero spacesystems.com.

 

Harris’ Ganguly Loves The Potential of Aerospace

 

Shikha Ganguly was always captivated by the idea of unchartered territory. “Even when I was young, I was sure I wanted to work on technology related to either space or the oceans,” she relates.

 

Space ultimately won, and Ganguly graduated with a Bachelor of Science in aerospace engineering and a Master of Engineering in space systems engineering from the University of Michigan. Following graduation seven years ago, she joined Melbourne, FL-based Harris Corporation.

 

“I chose Harris because [it is] a leading technology innovator when it comes to weather-sensing systems and other aerospace applications that addressed my interest in space programs, as well as my desire to work on projects with a broad and positive impact,” she explains.

 

Ganguly manages a carbon composites program in Harris’ precision structures group in the space and intelligence business segment.

 

She focuses on design, fabrication and testing several structures for aerospace applications.

 

“My role involves collaborating with program customers to ensure designs are optimized to meet specific needs. I also work closely with program staff to build hardware according to the highest standards of quality,” she says.

 

The fact her background is in thermal analysis enhances Ganguly’s deep appreciation for the engineering process. “What I enjoy most about my job is seeing that process come to fruition as I progress along production, from design to delivery,” she says, adding she also relishes interacting with the diverse personalities she encounters along the way.

 

Ganguly loves discovering future applications for carbon composites. She explains because weight is directly related to launch cost, great potential for spacebased tech projects becomes more financially feasible.

 

“More than many industries, the aerospace sector has the potential to capture the imagination of those in the industry,” she believes.

 

“The overt way its missions demonstrate the advancement of human progress make it especially important to effectively communicate new industry developments to professionals able to recognize the possibilities involved in working on exciting projects.”

 

Ganguly further notes a current need for design and analysis engineers at Harris’ precision structures group in Rochester, NY.

 

For more information about jobs at Harris, visit harris.com/careers.

 

Aerospace Corp.’s Norton Feels Mentors Are Key

 

It’s been nearly two decades since Terita Norton was selected by the National Consortium for Degrees for Minorities in Engineering and Sciences for a summer internship at The Aerospace Corporation.

 

Norton - who holds a Bachelor and Master of Science in electrical engineering from Florida State University and graduate certification in aerospace systems architecting and engineering - is now in her 13th year as a full-time employee at this 3,600- employee, El Segundo, CA-based federally funded research and development center (FFRDC).

 

Currently, as senior project leader, Norton’s responsibilities include leading and facilitating external government- industry collaboration activities such as the Mission Assurance (MA) Summit, Space Quality Improvement Council (SQIC) and the Space Suppliers Council (SSC).

 

“I perform oversight and contribute to cross-program, cross-industry and government customer studies and reviews related to the Space Industrial Base and MA, and serve as primary technical lead for the MA Newsletter, Getting It Right,” she states.

 

The fact the space industrial base is shrinking concerns Norton. “With many Baby Boomers preparing for retirement, there’s a lack of talent in the mid-career range to serve as mentors to younger employees, making it essential for those now in the industry to make an effort to fill those gaps and transfer knowledge to effectively support aerospace and defense needs,” she asserts.

 

“This involves demonstrating the value of the work those in the aerospace and defense sectors do in support of our nation and emphasizing the opportunity to work with cuttingedge technology,” she describes.

 

Selecting the right people for the industry is important, as well. Norton believes candidates should have proven leadership ability, have excellent communication skills, be able to work effectively in teams, be technically competent, pay attention to detail and have the courage to speak up when there’s an issue.

 

Quite certain The Aerospace Corporation is a great place to work, Norton praises the sense of community she finds among employees. “I joined as an intern and the two things that kept me coming back summer after summer - and ultimately joining full time - were the people and the exciting work. I’ve learned from some world-class experts in the space arena, and been able to see my technical contributions to a satellite program launch successfully,” she remarks.

 

Actively involved in Aerospace’s corporate mentoring initiative, and the FFRDC’s corporate STEM programs, Norton has led several K-12 grade science and engineering events, including the Robert H. Herndon Memorial Science Competition that exposes underrepresented middle and high school students to engineering and science. She also served as a regional officer for the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and advised several NSBE junior chapters.

 

To join The Aerospace Corporation visit aerospace.org/careers.