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This panel discussion brings together three engineers to share what their day-to-day work actually looks like. This webinar session focuses on the practical realities of engineering roles—technical tasks, team interactions, challenges, and how they apply their education in real-world settings. Geared toward students and early-career professionals, the discussion aims to provide clarity on what to expect in industry and help bridge the gap between the classroom and the workplace. If you’ve ever wondered what your first, or next, job will really look like, this session offers firsthand insight.
Panelists
Josh Kivijarv works in the Flight Operations Directorate at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, where he serves as a certified flight controller, instructor, and astronaut trainer for the International Space Station. He also supports operational development for NASA’s Artemis lunar missions. Josh holds a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering and a Master’s in Aerospace Engineering. Before joining the team at NASA, Josh gained broad private industry experience at Tesla.
Robert Burke works as a senior staff member at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Maryland. He works on advanced propulsion systems such as Rotating Detonation Engines, hypersonics, and rocket propulsion. He received his Masters and PhD in Aerospace Engineering at the University of Central Florida and previously worked there as a postdoctoral scientist. Robert has lectured undergraduate air-breathing propulsion courses and currently still mentors aerospace and mechanical engineering students. He is the AIAA Deputy Director of Education for Region 1.
Chris Reynolds is the Technical Assistant within the office of the Chief Technology Officer of the Lockheed Martin Corporation. Prior to this role, Chris served at both the Space and Aeronautics business areas of Lockheed Martin, including within Advanced Development Programs (ADP) Skunk Works®. Chris specializes in conceptual design, systems architecture, and test working on programs from hybrid airships to hypersonics. He holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering and an MS in Aerospace Engineering with a specialization in Multidisciplinary Design Analysis and Optimization (MDAO) from the University of Michigan.
Lt. Col. Carlos Pinedo