1. Aerospace Engineering Lockheed Martin SSC, Sunnyvale, CA
(A.K.A. Rocket Science)
David Groch
Sr Systems Engineer
Lockheed Martin SSC, Sunnyvale, CA

2. I decided on Aerospace Engineering early Senior Year of High School.
About Me...
I decided on Aerospace Engineering early Senior Year of High School.
Why Aerospace?

3. Graduated SRVHS '97
Why SJSU? - Location, location, bargain..
The south bay has thousands of Aerospace jobs nearby and a great reputation.
BS – Aerospace Engineering San Jose State '02
Spartnik Microsatellite Program – Power Lead
MS – Aerospace Engineering San Jose State '05
LANIO - Project

4. Met a LM guy at SJSU, sent him my resume and the rest is history...
Lockheed Martin Intern '99 – '02
IKONOS – Ground Imaging Satellite – '99
HST – Space Imaging Satellite – '00
FBM – Submarine ICBMs - '01
LM – FBM program - '02 – '05
LM – SP program – IITY IWHTKY - '05-'07
LM – MKV program – Anti- ICBM - '07 – present
(Geez! 8 years already?)
Why Lockheed Martin?

5. Aerospace Options Astronautics vs Aeronautics
Astronautics - spacecraft
Specialities Subjects
Intro/Extra Space Environment
Orbital Dynamics – Mission Design
Spacecraft Design
Launchcraft
Non airbreathing
engines

6. Aerospace Options Astronautics vs Aeronautics Aeronautics – aircraft
Specialities Subjects
Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
Wing design
Aircraft engines (From Props to Scram)

7. The space environment What drives the design of a spacecraft?
It is tough getting up there...
Launch conditions
It is tough once you get up there...
Micrometeorites
Solar Radiation / Flares / SMEs
Extra Solar Radiation
Magnetic Variances
Atomic Oxygen
Outgasing
Garbage

8. The Atmospheric Environment
What drives the design of aircraft?
Take offs and Landings
Stresses
Landing Gear
Weight
Steady State Performance
Range
Comfortability
Weight
Altitude

9. Preparing for the field
Aerospace has an intensive course unit level which is 15% higher then other majors.
First Two Years

10. Preparing for the field
Junior and Senior Year

11. Preparing for the field
Take advantage of college (4 to 5 years for BS, 2 to 3 for MS)
Get good grades
Just say no...
excessive video games
drugs and excessive alcohol
FYI, Most companies require a drug test
Don't burn out, even for a little while
Remember, every class counts towards your GPA
Most companies won't interview you without a 3.5 and up
Learn to be resourceful, as well as, remembering the equations (Open book)
Have an open mind about what you can and can't do.
You never really know until you try.
Learn to love coffee, MythBusters®, and Dilbert®

12. Preparing for the field
Tools
MATLAB / Simulink – Model Based Software Development will be BIIIIGGGGG!!!
Programming Languages.
Unix Environment / PC Environment
Office Suite
CAD - Ideas / Inventor / ProE (Wildfire), also BIG
The more software experience and computer literacy the better.
Skills
Good presentation / communication skills are a must.
Good etiquette goes a long way.
Patience... OMG... lots of patience.
Staying awake in meetings
Look for niches and fill them. 'OWN' them
Adaptability
Learn the language
Know about space...don't just take it up.
Scientific methods

13. Types of Aerospace Jobs
From soup to nuts
Proposals / Requirements
Design
GNC / Dynamics
Electrical Power
Propulsion
Aerodynamics
Thermal
Structural
Mission Design
Test Design
Assembly Integration and Test
Test Conductors
Acoustics / Vib
Thermal Vac
Launch Support
Mission Operations

14. Aerospace Industry Stable Employers (Defense Contractor)
Jobs aren't going to outsourced
Awesome products
Great Location(s)‏
Great Opportunities
Flexible hours (standard 40 hr week) Many different jobs, same company
Great Benefits, pay, start at >$50K
Other Bay Area Aerospace / Defense Companies:
Northrop Grumman, San Jose
General Dynamics, Mountain View
Bea Systems, San Jose
Loral, Palo Alto

15. When I started Full Time at LM
So what have I done (prior to MSAE)?
Logistics
Project management
training coordinator
test conductor
launch facility experience
data miner
data collection
lots of documentation and grunt stuff.
What do I do now (post MSAE)?
Sr Systems Engineer in the field of
Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC)
Design, Analysis and Verification of
GNC Software
SO WHAT DOES THAT MEAN???

16. The Work Environment Aerospace Industry Demographics :
More and more diverse every year.
50% of LMEmployees are eligible to retire within 10 years.
Cube Farms
PCs with Unix workstations
Not much space
Highbays
Hardware Labs

17. Research Your Careers Online
Research Space Online
Check out hotjobs.com and monster.com : Aerospace
You can me with questions
There are aerospace communities such as
NASA has a great website, too. Check out:
3D View of space debris
Any Questions?