April 2008 Issue, Vol 9
In a recent interview with ASME’s New Face of Engineering 2008, Annmarie Connor, mechanical engineer at United Space Alliance (USA), talks about her engineering career in the space industry. Annmarie earned a Bachelors and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Central Florida and a Six Sigma Green Belt at the Harrington Institute.
Her employer, USA, is a world leader in space operations with extensive experience in virtually all aspects of the field. Headquartered in Houston, Texas with 10,000 employees working in Texas, Florida and Alabama, USA is applying its broad range of capabilities to NASA’s Space Shuttle, International Space Station and Constellation programs as well as to space operations customers in the commercial and international space industry sectors.
Tell us about the engineering achievements that you are most proud of …
Being selected by ASME and the Engineers Week Foundation to represent the Society as their New Face of Engineering has really made an impact on me and my career. This recognition has extended in my work environment as the Associate and Deputy Associate Program Managers for Ground Operations at USA have acknowledged it as an achievement. My family is also excited, now that they know more about what “I really do” as an engineer at the Space Center.
Being chosen as the New Face has resulted in an invitation to participate as a panelist for a Plenary Session on Partnering: Interdisciplinary Approaches are the Keys to Success at the 2008 ASME Annual Meeting (June 2008), as well as being featured in both the ASME ME Today online newsletter and in the Machine Design magazine.
What role do you play at USA?
As a mechanical engineer in the Launch Site Design Engineering directorate, I work in the Structural, Mechanisms, and Cranes Design department. In this department I am on the team that supports ground system design efforts for the Orbiter and External Tank (ET) Systems. I am also the System Design Engineer (SDE) for Orbiter Access and Multi-Use Ground Support Equipment. In a typical day I can work on updating drawings, preparing certification packages, and coordinating design projects, which can include researching and selecting equipment and materials, preparing engineering analyses and drawings, and preparing cost estimates. I am currently working on a Lean Six Sigma project within my directorate to improve efficiency and establish consistency among SDE certification packages. This project ties directly to my work as a System Design Engineer as it affects our certification process, which is how we close out design projects.
Walk us through some of your past projects or one that really pulled you outside your comfort-zone and you grew from the experience.
The Lean Six Sigma (L6S) project I am working on in some ways has pulled me out of my comfort-zone. I have served on two other L6S projects in the past, one while attending graduate school and one while working at USA. In both of these projects, someone has acted as the leader, but I am now serving as the leader for this project. Although I feel I have strong leadership qualities, it has been a challenge to prepare for meetings and lead my team to meet our goals and objectives as we proceed. In theory, it’s easy to know what comes next, but in practice knowing how to prepare and then explaining the task to my team is a whole other show. You have to be extremely disciplined in spending the right amount of time preparing for a meeting. If you are not prepared or do not understand exactly what you need to be doing, you and your team will not be effective or successful. I have learned to take advantage of my mentor for my L6S project. She has been through several projects and is a great source of knowledge. I have learned to ask for help when I need it and not be shy or ashamed. Although the project is still a work-in-progress, I am able to use the benefits of mentors and resources in my every day work.
What is the best thing about being an engineer today?
It’s the constant focus on training and continuing education. USA offers an educational reimbursement program that I took advantage of to obtain my Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. Training opportunities on and off-site are provided and encouraged to develop technical and leadership skills to help advance your career. I have been able to attend training courses on hydraulics, frequency drives, electrical control circuits, Adams and NX, among others. My management supports me attending ASME and SWE conferences where I can develop myself professionally and network with engineers across the globe. It is important to me as an engineer to continue learning and remain up-to-date with the changes in technology in engineering.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
In 5 years I will be 10 years into my career. My professional goals are to obtain my PE license, become a more seasoned mechanical engineer in 3D design and analysis, and increase my expertise and leadership skills as the System Design Engineer for Orbiter Access and Multi-Use Ground Support Equipment. I also strive to be recognized by my company and my professional organizations through award programs for my technical and leadership achievements.
My leadership goals are to be a stronger leader in my professional organizations; take a more active role in my Region in SWE by running for Region Governor, and to serve as Chair of my ASME Section and start moving up the leadership ranks in the Knowledge and Community Sector in ASME. Perhaps further in my career I can serve as SWE National President or ASME President, maybe both!
What advice would you offer early-career engineers in the first few years of working?
Attend your local ASME (and/or other professional society) meetings and regional and national conferences to network and professionally develop. Go back to school and get an advanced degree. Get your PE license. Read technical journals and magazines to stay current. At work, make an effort to learn what you can from the seasoned engineers; they have a plethora of knowledge and can help you advance your career.
What are the considerations one should keep in mind when deciding whether to work in your industry?
The space industry is unique. If you want to do something not many others can do, this is it. The space industry offers opportunities for all types of engineers, it takes a great deal of interdisciplinary work to launch the space shuttle and support the space exploration vision. There are many opportunities to work in a variety of fields just in the space program; I have worked in Systems Engineering, Safety Engineering and now Design Engineering. You can move around and learn quite a bit.
Related links:
New Face of Engineers 2008
New Face of Engineers 2007 | 
