I've been with Lockheed Martin for almost 10 years now. It's been exciting at times - but not always in a good way. I started as an MRB Engineer in the Airframe, resolving manufacturing problems and clarifying the engineering drawings for the technicians. Then I moved to the C-130J design department where I corrected engineering problems and made design changes in response to customer requirements. I've also had opportunity to work in the C-130 Modifications and Sustainment department creating kits to modify customers' older aircraft. I've traveled to some strange places and done some cool things.
Still, I look around sometimes and think how lucky I am to be doing what I always wanted. It's funny too, because I went to college to study aircraft construction. From the beginning I wanted to build aircraft and now I'm doing it. Many of my classmates are in career fields far removed from what they studied.
Some people think the C-130 is an old aircraft since it has been around since 1952. But in reality, many of the systems have been updated and the manufacturing methods are often state-of-the-art. It is a great aircraft and I'm proud to be part of it.
Prior to Lockheed, I was doing marketing analysis work for Guideposts Publishing in New York, where I got the chance to apply my MBA classes. I lost my previous job when Smart World Communications reorganized. At least I had the chance to learn about the Internet and Web Publishing.
Before that, I worked for BNP Associates, Inc. in Danbury, Connecticut. They're a small engineering firm that does airport stuff: mostly baggage handling systems, cargo handling systems, and alike. I'd worked on several airport improvement projects including: JFK, Dulles (in Washington D.C.), and Denver International. It didn't work out, but it was a good experience because I learned AutoCAD, gained some valuable network experience, and learned more about what I'm looking for in a job. Ask me to tell you some horror stories about luggage.
After leaving the USAF, I had several contract positions:
These were great because I learned a variety of business methods and several computer applications.
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My first post-college job was in the US Air Force. I really liked the Air Force. The job was exciting, the people were great, and I got to travel the world. I was an Aircraft Maintenance Officer working on C-130Es at Pope Air Force Base, NC. If the USAF would have let me transfer to engineering, I'd still be in today. The highlights of my military experience were: Operation Desert Storm the war with Iraq, and Operation Just Cause the war with Panama. These are some of my AF patches, including my Storm patches from when I was stationed with the gang from Yakota. I never get a chance to wear my medals, but I do occasionally wear one of my patches. I have the funniest war stories... |
I was a part-time graduate student at Western Connecticut State University where I was pursuing an MBA in the Ancell School of Business. But I moved and couldn't transfer the credits (The program was not accredited)
| I received my Bachelor of Science degree from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where I majored in Mechanical Engineering. RPI was pretty intense, and being active in so much didn't make it any easier. I was an editor for the Polytechnic (the student newspaper), a member of the E-Board, and in the Air Force ROTC (Det 550) program where I received my commission. Sometimes people don't understand me when I talk, so here's a link to the glossary. |  |
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Created Oct. 10, 1995 Updated May 25, 2007 © 2007 Stefan Oestreicher |
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