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Ife, GN&C Engineer at Aerospace Company: Advize Career Interview
A GN&C engineer at a leading aerospace company, Ife's career journey, though initially unplanned, showcases remarkable adaptability and a passion for problem-solving.
The path began with an aerospace engineering degree and progressed through graduate research on self-driving vehicles and an internship at Pelton Technology.
Currently, Ife tackles challenging problems related to aircraft guidance, navigation, and control, utilizing Matlab and collaborating extensively with diverse teams.
Success in this field, Ife emphasizes, requires creativity, innovative thinking, and a willingness to learn collaboratively.
The most rewarding aspect is the ability to see tangible impact from work, quickly transforming concepts into reality. While imposter syndrome presented a challenge, perseverance and a proactive approach to feedback proved crucial.
Aspiring professionals should understand the breadth of the GN&C engineering title and the importance of completing a rigorous undergraduate engineering program, prioritizing finding the right career fit over rapid advancement.
Curiosity and humility are essential traits for navigating this dynamic and innovative industry.
Advizer Information
Name
Job Title
Company
Undergrad
Grad Programs
Majors
Industries
Job Functions
Traits
Ife Ibitayo
GN&C Engineer
Aerospace Company
University of Texas at Austin 2017
Purdue University, MS in Mechanical Engineering
Engineering - Aerospace
Aerospace & Defense
Product / Service / Software Development and Management
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Career Path of a Guidance Navigation Control Engineer at an Aerospace Company
Ife's career path was somewhat unplanned, starting with a "second choice major" of aerospace engineering at the University of Texas, Austin, which unexpectedly became a perfect fit. Their journey included a research focus on "self-driving semi-trucks" during graduate school, an internship at Pelton Technology solidifying their interest in the field, and a transition to Boeing through "applying around" and demonstrating adaptability to different aerospace applications.
Main Responsibilities of a Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer at an Aerospace Company
Ife, a GN&C engineer, describes their role as solving problems related to "how do you get a plane from point A to point B," requiring significant problem-solving and communication skills to simulate and implement solutions within a larger framework, interacting with numerous teams. This highlights the collaborative and multifaceted nature of guidance, navigation, and control engineering.
A Day In The Life Of A Guidance Navigation And Control Engineer At An Aerospace Company
A typical day for Ife, a GN&C Engineer, involves a mix of technical work—"spending a lot of time using Matlab"—and collaboration—"talking to people," including other engineers. The balance shifts depending on the project, with independent problem-solving ("figuring out how is this gonna work out?") occurring when particularly exciting challenges arise.
Most Important Skills for a GNC Engineer at an Aerospace Company
For a GN&C engineer, creativity is paramount; the work often involves "trailblazing," requiring not only problem-solving skills but also the ability to create solutions that are easily understood and replicated by others. This necessitates innovative thinking combined with consideration for future applications.
Favorite Parts Of Being A GN&C Engineer At An Aerospace Company
Ife, a GN&C engineer, finds the most rewarding aspect of their role to be "solving new problems"— those that are "unsearchable" and require innovative solutions, pushing the boundaries of their field. This allows Ife to be on "the cutting edge of research," tackling challenges that haven't been addressed before.
Biggest Challenges Faced By A GN&C Engineer At An Aerospace Company
Ife's biggest challenge as a GN&C Engineer was overcoming imposter syndrome, a common experience for career pivoting professionals entering a new field. The key to overcoming this, Ife notes, was realizing that "time is the only solution," emphasizing the importance of patience and perseverance in a new role.
Favorite Parts of Working in the Aerospace Industry as a GN&C Engineer
Ife, a GN&C Engineer in the aerospace industry, finds the most rewarding aspect to be the ability to see "impact from what you're doing," transforming concepts into tangible results within a relatively short timeframe— "in the space of months or years"—a unique opportunity not afforded to many professionals. This rapid progression from concept to reality is what Ife finds "really exciting."
What Type Of Person Thrives In The Aerospace Industry, According To A Guidance Navigation And Control Engineer At An Aerospace Company
Ife, a GN&C Engineer, identifies curiosity and humility as crucial traits for success in the aerospace industry, explaining that "a lot of the things...are new and different," requiring individuals to be "willing to...read up on it, but also...reach out to other people." The ability to learn collaboratively, embracing "helping other people help" is key to navigating this innovative field.
What A Guidance Navigation Controls Engineer In Aerospace Wishes They Had Known Before Entering The Industry
Ife, a GN&C Engineer, advises that the title "guidance navigation controls engineer" is deceptively broad, with day-to-day responsibilities varying significantly even within a single company; the work performed by those with the same title can differ substantially, depending on whether the focus is on "guidance," "navigation," or "control."
Entry-level positions for aspiring Guidance Navigation and Control Engineers
Ife, a GN&C engineer, found the question about entry-level positions humorous, initially suggesting "grad school" as many GN&C roles, especially those involving "the brains of anything," require master's or PhD degrees due to high stakes. However, entry-level opportunities in hardware could serve as a stepping stone to transition into more advanced roles later in the career.
Significant Career Lesson From a GN&C Engineer at an Aerospace Company
Ife, a GN&C Engineer, learned that proactively seeking feedback is crucial for career growth because "getting feedback can be really tough," even with well-meaning colleagues. This necessitates creative self-assessment to understand performance and identify areas for improvement.
College Experiences That Helped a GN&C Engineer at an Aerospace Company Succeed
Ife, a GN&C Engineer, credits successful completion of undergraduate engineering studies as crucial preparation for a career in the field, stating that "making it just through the college experience alone...provide[d] a lot of the chops to just be able to like make it into the industry later". This highlights the importance of perseverance and completion of the degree program itself as a significant factor in career success.
How Identity Has Influenced a Guidance Navigation and Control Engineer's Career at an Aerospace Company
Ife, a GN&C engineer, found that feeling "like you're behind relative to really no one" is a common experience for young professionals; however, the most valuable insight gained was prioritizing finding a good fit over rapid career advancement, leveraging the advantage of time to do so.
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