Over the course of my 40-plus years in aerospace, many students and young professionals have asked me for career advice. For sure, there are exciting opportunities to be had in the commercial world, and many of those companies are a driving force for innovation, but I always urge folks not to overlook the defense sector.
My own experiences prove that one can have a fulfilling career in defense, working on cutting-edge technologies that have the potential to change the world just as much — if not more — than any commercial innovation. But what sets this career path apart is the pride and satisfaction that comes from knowing you are contributing to the protection of your nation and democracy on a global scale. Of course, in a perfect world we would have no need for satellite missile interceptors, fighter jets or anti-aircraft missiles. But as history has continually shown us, ensuring peace and prosperity requires people who are willing to defend our values and way of life against those who would attempt to dismantle it.
When I first entered the aerospace industry in the early 1980s, there was concern that budgets for innovation were trending downward. The U.S. Army had just awarded the “Big Five” production contracts that would reconfigure the service to what it is today. The Air Force was happy with its F-15s and F-16s and new B-1Bs, and the Navy was satisfied with its new F/A-18s. NASA had concluded the Apollo missions, and the space shuttle was nearing its testing phase. Likewise, commercial aviation was anticipating the first flights of the Boeing 757 and 767, while the Douglas DC-9 Super 80 was beginning production. There didn’t seem to be anything new on the horizon. However, there was more than enough to keep me occupied, employed and challenged.
My first job was as a summer intern at Hughes Helicopter Inc. doing data analysis on the YAH-64 Apache attack helicopter prototype. I learned about thermal sensors, optical tracking systems, inertial navigation and other systems that were technically advanced for the day, but what stuck with me: the threat of a possible Soviet invasion of Europe with massed tanks through the Fulda Gap in what was then a divided Germany. The Apaches were designed for surprise attacks, with the ability to maneuver around terrain or buildings that could otherwise be used to block their Hydra rockets, Hellfire missiles and chain guns. A year after I departed to go back to school, the Army awarded Hughes a full-rate production contract for the AH-64A.
The technology was undoubtedly cool, but the opportunity to contribute, even indirectly, to the fight against Soviet communism made it all the more satisfying. And, looking back, that went on to influence my priorities for future jobs.
After graduating college, I went to work for Hughes Aircraft Co. (not directly related to Hughes Helicopter, but sort of — another story) in the Electron Dynamics Division. I started as an engineer evaluating traveling wave tubes for the F-14 program that were returned by the U.S. Navy for repair or replacement. Not only did I learn a lot about vacuum tubes and high-power microwave devices, but I was interfacing directly with the Navy customer — probably one of my greatest opportunities to learn nontechnical skills that supported the advancement of my career.
Over the next few years, my responsibilities grew, and I took over as the lead engineer for the F-14 Gridded Travel Wave Tube and Continuous Wave Illuminator production programs for the AWG-9 and APG-71 radars. I worked with the production line and actually negotiated with the union to permit me to build one unit at all the stations to better understand the production constraints. With that knowledge, I worked with the drafting department to redesign parts and assemblies to reduce cost and complexity, resulting in a 25% increase in first-time test yield and flow time. This in turn reduced the production cost by 50% per delivered unit. I even visited the F-14 Top Gun facility at Miramar Naval Air Station in California to inspect units in the field. Again, these were all rewarding achievements in and of themselves, but I was all the more motivated knowing that my efforts helped keep F-14s in the air as they protected U.S. aircraft carrier strike fleets around the globe.
The end of the Cold War in the late ’80s seemed to signal another budget reduction, as the predicted “peace dividend” would allow the U.S. to reallocate funds in other areas. The reality, however, was that new types of threats to national and global security emerged, which demanded new technologies for new solutions. High-power vacuum microwave amplifiers, both for airborne radars and satellite communications, were to be replaced with solid state amplifiers. So, a career shift was timely. I transferred to the Hughes Missile Systems Co. to, at first, run captive flight test projects for technologies that would later be incorporated into new weapon systems. For each technology, I was keeping up with advancing expertise and knowledge, but I also knew that I was contributing to the ability for the warriors that protect our nation to do their jobs and come home safely at the end of their mission.
In a later chapter of my career, I had the privilege of serving the American people in several capacities in the Pentagon. It was my responsibility to ensure that not only were the funds entrusted to me appropriately and wisely spent but that the tools we were fielding assisted the soldiers, sailors, Marines, airmen and guardsmen (this was before there were Guardians) in the completion of their assignments. I had the extreme pleasure of working with these dedicated public servants, many of whom became and remain my dear friends. Here again, I was reminded of the importance of this work. These were people who had pledged their very lives to protecting our country and, unfortunately in some cases, were injured or lost their lives in the pursuit of that mission. In each case, their sacrifice was tragic but also served as a vivid reminder of the costs attached to keeping our nation free and safe.
Today, while new threats have emerged, opportunities abound. The Trump administration has proposed a 13% increase in defense spending for fiscal 2026, a trend that is projected to continue in the near term as the Defense Department seeks to create the technologies needed for the various tactical and strategic systems necessary for our future defense. Across the Atlantic, defense spending by the European countries has more than doubled over the past several years, with a large percentage of those investments being made in capabilities from the U.S.
I’m proud to have devoted a majority of my career to developing and maturing technologies that protect our nation and our democracy and still believe wholeheartedly that it is a noble cause for young professionals — or anyone at any stage of their career — to contribute their skills, talents and passions.
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