Meet Laura Towle, a Final Assembly Line Quality Manager located in Merritt Island, Fl. Laura is responsible for managing a team of Quality Engineers and Quality Inspectors who drive resolution to product and nonconformances occurring during Assembly, Integration, and Testing (AIT).

Laura grew up on the Space Coast of Florida, which motivated her to pursue a career in aerospace.

Today, she values the strong sense of community in the Space Coast amongst everyone in the industry.

“It’s awesome to see all the launches from my house and know that I work in the industry that makes it possible,” she said.

Prior to working at Airbus U.S., Laura worked as a Nuclear Submarine Officer in the Navy. She served on the USS Georgia for her sea tour and worked as the Women in Submarines Coordinator and Diversity Officer for her shore duty assignment.

“While working in the Navy, I learned that if you stretch yourself outside of your comfort zone and take on challenging assignments, you may make some mistakes,” she said. “But the important part is learning from them and improving.”

Laura started working as a Quality Manager at a medical device company, Boston Scientific, where she supported the production of hydrophilic coatings, catheters, embolic microspheres, and stents. She then joined Airbus U.S. Space & Defense in the summer of 2023.

“What initially drew me to Airbus U.S. Space & Defense was the chance to work in an emerging industry where we have the flexibility to develop and influence the quality processes we follow,” she said.

Her advice to those entering her field is to learn all that you can from those around you.

“If you don’t know how to do something, don’t ask someone else to do it. Ask them how they do it,” she said. “Then write it down so you can refer to it in the future.”

Outside of work, Laura enjoys activities with her two-year-old daughter, spending time with her French Bulldog, and going to CrossFit classes.