How Aerospace Engineers Are Designing the Future | National Engineers Week Q+A
Engineering is about more than just solving problems — it’s about shaping the future. From the earliest days of flight to the most advanced space missions, engineers have been at the forefront of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.
This year, National Engineers Week celebrates the theme “Design Your Future,” recognizing the critical role engineers play in shaping the world ahead. At The Aerospace Corporation, our engineers work on some of the most complex challenges in space and for national security, designing solutions that will define the next era of space explorations and defense.
In honor of this week, we are spotlighting five of our engineers from across the country, each with a unique background and perspective. Through their stories, we see how a variety of skills, disciplines, and career paths come together to drive innovation in space.
Jordan Howie
📍 Chantilly, Virginia
Project Engineer, Imagery Programs Division
Education: Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan; Bachelor of Science in Applied Physics, Morehouse College; Master of Science in Systems Engineering, University of Maryland Baltimore County
Q: Why did you choose engineering as your career?
Although I was never a top student in my math or science classes, I always enjoyed the process of learning about and solving hard problems. I was once told engineering would be too hard for me, so I appreciated the challenge and sought out to do just that.
Q: What sparked your initial interest in your specific field of engineering?
Growing up in Washington, D.C., we would often take class field trips to the Smithsonian National Air & Space Museum. I remember being so fascinated by the exhibits, I told myself that whatever I do when I grow up, I want space to be a part of it.
Q: How would you describe what you do to someone who is not in a STEM field?
I test space satellite and ground interfaces to ensure that the systems are compatible and able to accomplish space mission objectives.
Q: How have you used engineering to “Design Your Future?”
I’ve been designing my future by remaining openminded in my career. Any relevant opportunity along the way could lead to a critical next step in my journey.
Q: If you could contribute to any major space project in its history, which one would you choose and why?
If I could contribute to any major project, it would be the James Webb Space Telescope. The types of questions the JWST set out to shed light on are some of the same questions that got me interested in space to begin with.
Q: What is your favorite space joke?
God: “These dinosaurs are too small, let’s make them meatier.” Half-listening Angel: “Meteor…got it.”
Lillian Johnson
📍 El Segundo, California
Associate Member of Technical Staff, Parts, Materials & Processes Department
Education: Bachelor of Science in Engineering, Harvey Mudd College
Q: Why did you choose engineering as a career?
As a kid, I was fascinated by the world around me and wanted to understand how everything worked. I enjoyed solving puzzles and reverse engineering technology to see how it functioned. I loved all the sciences classes I took in school, but I had a hard time choosing just one area to focus on. I realized engineering could be my way of having it all — the various disciplines engineering has could incorporate multiple interests of mine.
Q: What sparked your initial interest in your specific field of engineering?In middle school, I had the opportunity to attend an away camp for engineering. While there, I learned about all the various disciplines engineering had to offer and discovered on I had never heard of before: material science engineering. My brief introduction to it was more than enough to pique my interest, especially as it appeared to be a combination of my favorite subjects. In college, I was able to take dedicated classes, performed research alongside professors, and read fun books such as “Stuff Matters: Exploring the Marvelous Materials That Shape Our Man-Made World” by Mark Miodownik.
Q: How would you describe what you do to someone who is not in a STEM field?
Just as your phone relies on lots of small electronic parts to do its job, so do satellites — although they have the added complexity of needing to function in space. My job is to test and analyze those electronic parts to ensure that they’re strong enough to withstand leaving our atmosphere and their time in space. Not only do I test these parts prior to their use in satellites, but I also have to review parts that have unexpectedly failed. This allows for a better understanding of why some parts can’t survive in space and contributes to ways we can improve parts for the future. My favorite part of my job is that each part is a new puzzle for me to solve.
Q: How have you used engineering to “Design Your Future?”
A large part of planning my future was trying different things and seeing which one I liked best. Similar to an experiment, there was a bit of trial and error before I found my way into engineering. I went to college not sure what area of STEM I wanted to focus on, debating whether it should be chemistry, computer science, or engineering. I loved it all. Through courses I was able to start to piece together what I enjoyed and how different careers aligned with those interests. I then built on this by interning where I could gain further exposure to those career paths. I found my internship opportunity through my college career fair when I stopped by the Aerospace booth. I was an intern at Aerospace for two summers as an undergraduate before coming back full time. The hands-on experience gained during my internships was the last piece I needed to confirm I wanted to pursue a career in material science engineering.
Gregory Henning
📍 Albuquerque , New Mexico
Engineering Manager, Space Object Risk Department
Education: Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Aeronautical & Astronautical Engineering (AAE), Purdue University
Q: Why did you choose engineering as your career?
In school, I really enjoyed math and science, particularly physics, and they always came easy to me. My high school teachers encouraged me to pursue engineering in college. I honestly didn’t know what an engineer did, but I figured if I got to learn more interesting math and science, it must be a good fit for me!
Q: What sparked your initial interest in your specific field of engineering?
I always loved anything related to space from a young age, but I never really dreamed I’d have a career in the space industry. I was already at Purdue working toward a mechanical engineering degree. I didn’t really know where that would lead me, until someone showed me his AAE homework. That’s what I should be doing! I transferred into the School of Aeronautics and Astronautics the next semester.
Q: How would you describe what you do to someone who is not in a STEM field?
A key responsibility of my job is to analyze risks associated with space debris. Space debris is basically any manmade object on orbit that is not under anyone’s control. These objects can collide with satellites and either damage or destroy them, or they could also explode and create more dangerous debris that is smaller and harder to track. We use math and physics to calculate the orbital mechanics of these objects orbiting earth, and we use computer programming to build software tools that allow us to calculate when debris objects come close to other objects, and whether or not satellite should try to avoid the debris.
Q: How have you used engineering to “Design Your Future?”
I’ve always just followed what interests me the most and did my best to learn as much as I could about it. Making a plan for where you want to be in your career is a really important thing to do, but equally important is being ready and willing to follow an unknown path and take opportunities as they come your way. Things will never work out how you planned them, but that doesn’t mean those plans didn’t help get you somewhere amazing in the end.
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the work that goes into your field?
How many people and organizations are involved in making all of this work. It takes the talents of countless engineers and scientists to keep space safe and sustainable for space operations. The coordination between all of the nations and organizations operating in space is extremely complex, and it takes everyone involved to contribute to the solving these problems. The more smart people we can get thinking about and working on debris mitigation and space sustainability, the better.
Q: If you could contribute to any major space project in its history, which one would you choose and why?
Aerospace was instrumental to the development of GPS way before my time. I always thought it would have been cool to be a part of that effort, and to see what it has become today.
Q: What’s the coolest fact you’ve learned about space or space technology recently?
One of the coolest ideas for handling space debris right now is the idea that you could send satellites up to collect large space junk and recycle the materials on-orbit into something useful. The most dangerous mass on orbit are objects that are orbiting uncontrolled. Turning that mass into something useful and under control solves the safety issue and provides the materials for new satellites at the same time!
Q: What’s the most ridiculous piece of space equipment you’ve ever seen in a movie?
The tether that was keeping George Clooney attached to Sandra Bullock in Gravity seemed to have the magical power to induce an invisible force that they couldn’t overcome.
Q: What’s your favorite space joke?
I bought a book about zero gravity. I couldn’t put it down.
Dr. James Northern
📍 Huntsville, Alabama
Assistant Principal Director, Strategic Defense and Deterrence Division
Education: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Prairie View A&M University; Master of Science in Electrical Engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison; Doctor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Michigan State University
Q: Why did you choose engineering as your career?
I had a desire to solve problems and create solutions. Math, science and history were my favorite subjects.
Q: What sparked your initial interest in your specific field of engineering?The Minority Introduction to Engineering Summer Program held at Florida A&M University
Q: How would you describe what you do to someone who is not in a STEM field?
To develop and deploy a layered missile defense system to defend the United States, its deployed forces, allies, and friends from missile attacks in all phases of flight.
Q: How have you used engineering to “Design Your Future?”
My path into engineering started with my curiosity about how things work. As a child, I loved taking apart electronics to see what was inside. That curiosity evolved into a deep passion for problem solving, which naturally led me to pursue engineering.
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the work that goes into your field?
Each individual has the power to design their own path in engineering. Engineering is not just about technical skills; it’s about passion, perseverance, and the willingness to learn. It’s a field that evolves with you as you grow.
Q: If you could contribute to any major space project in its history, which one would you choose and why?
The U.S. Space Force because of the importance of space in modern warfare.
Q: You’ve just invented a new type of spacecraft fuel. What is it made of and what unbelievable things can it do?
It would be something that can be generated from our greatest waste and developed inexpensively. It would power our homes and generate heat and energy.
Q: If you were stranded on Mars, what three tools from Earth would you bring with you?
Swiss army knife, a water purification system, and a satellite communication device.
Q: What’s your favorite space joke?
Why did the satellite break up with the antenna? Because they just weren’t on the same wavelength!
Ashley Kowalski
📍 El Segundo, California
Project Leader, International Programs
Education: Master of Science in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, George Washington University; Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering with an Aerospace Engineering concentration, George Washington University
Q: Why did you choose engineering as your career?
Engineering has endless possibilities, so the ability to always learn and try new things really drew me to engineering. Even though I’ve been at Aerospace for more than 10 years now, I feel that I have been able to experience multiple careers that span a variety of topics. Even in my field of aerospace engineering, it is more than just spacecraft and launches — its ground stations, satellite communications, data analysis, modeling and simulation, international agreements, creative designs, propulsion techniques, robotics, etc. There’s always something new to learn!
Q: What sparked your initial interest in your specific field of engineering?
I always enjoyed math and science growing up and had a lot of great teachers who really helped me to develop my skills. Even though I did not fully understand what engineering entailed, I knew it would involve a lot of math and science, so I decided to try it! I also love the arts. Engineering brings together both sides of me — the artistic side and the analytical side. Engineering involves out-of-the-box thinking and creative designs, but also precision math and logical reasoning to solve a complex problem.
Q: How would you describe what you do to someone who is not in a STEM field?
My job currently involves coordinating and overseeing space-related projects with international partners. That means I’m not only involved with understanding the technical aspects, but also the international affairs and political aspects to ensure successful collaboration. It also includes managing funds, schedules, and resources to deliver projects on time and within budget. I coordinate heavily with different government agencies, industry partners, and international partners to develop, test, and demonstrate various space activities. Think of it as putting different pieces of a puzzle together to create a final picture, but each puzzle piece is a contribution from different teams around the world.
Q: How have you used engineering to “Design Your Future?”
Designing my future and my path into engineering meant always trying new things. As I was going through school, through my internships, and even into my career, I was not 100 percent sure what I wanted to become an expert in, but I always said “yes” to opportunities. I also always knew that I wanted to combine my experiences with my love of international relations and languages, so many of these “yes” experiences involved living and working abroad. I developed a keen interest in human spaceflight and sought out additional opportunities to be an active participant in astronaut analog studies. I never could have imagined how well all these things would come together for me in my career, but it just goes to show that my future was designed by leaning into all opportunities.
Q: What’s one thing you wish more people understood about the work that goes into your field?
I wish people would understand that the space industry is not only for people who studied engineering. It requires people from all different types of fields — communications and media specialists, machinists, lawyers, politicians, artists, seamstresses, technical writers, programmers, doctors, economists, accountants, psychologists. There is “space” for everyone in space.
Q: If you could contribute to any major space project in its history, which one would you choose and why?
I hope to be able to contribute to the current NASA Artemis Program as we go back to the Moon and eventually onto Mars. There will be a lot of development required over the next decade and beyond in order to build the systems to send humans deeper into space than ever before and sustain life in space for long periods of time. I think it would be extremely rewarding to be a part of that and say I was able to contribute to this new golden era of human spaceflight.
Q: What is your favorite space joke?
What did the galaxy say during the interview? No comet.
As these engineers demonstrate, designing the future is not just about technology — it’s about vision, collaboration, and the willingness to push boundaries. Whether they are working on groundbreaking space missions, ensuring the safety of critical systems, or mentoring the next generation, they all share a commitment to innovation.
As we celebrate National Engineers Week, we encourage aspiring engineers to explore the many paths available. The future is being designed today — and the next generations of engineers will be the ones to shape it.
Join Aerospace in designing a better future. Ask the hard questions. Explore the intricate answers. Bring Your A Game. The next groundbreaking engineer could be you. Discover opportunities to join our team and Design Your Future career in space!
