Natalie Hahn Mallow
Defense Structural Analyst Engineer
Spirit AeroSystems
For my job at Spirit AeroSystems, I look at what type of forces and stress the airplane part will be going through and figure out if it will break or not. If it does, it's my job to figure out how we may be able to improve it. We build several different types of aircraft parts and are the world's largest first-tier aerostructures company!
It's challenging! Every single day presents something new that I have to accomplish or figure out. It's also a TON of fun to test the airplane parts and see how it will break!
I use lots of different software to make predictions on how a part will break. I also work with a design team to create or change the design of a part. Sometimes, I'll go to a lab and actually run a physical test to see how the part breaks in real life!
I come from a non-STEM background - I had no STEM exposure in high school. Despite that, I went to college and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Aerospace, Aeronautical, and Astronautical Engineering at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University - it's one of the US's best aerospace engineering schools! While there, I worked hard to get hands-on experience, earned a good GPA, applied for an internship with Spirit AeroSystems, and volunteered with the Society of Women Engineers (SWE). Now I work as a Structural Analyst Engineer full-time and am on the Board of Directors for SWE!
I hope to start my graduate degree at some point!
One of my big loves is music. I always have it on! I'm also an avid reader and writer, and I paint when I can. I also love talking to students about STEM and volunteering with SWE!
"The two most important days of your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why."~ Mark Twain