Meet Sarah Jurczyk, a Senior Systems Engineer based in Arlington, Va. With a degree from Stevens Institute of Technology and two years of experience at Airbus, Sarah’s journey into engineering started with a love for math and science, a passion which started during her childhood. Despite initially being reluctant to follow in her father’s engineering footsteps, she found herself drawn to the field when it came time to choose a college major. Torn between math and physics, she chose engineering for its integration of both disciplines. Her decision to major in computer engineering stemmed from a decision to combine the best of what computer science and electrical engineering and to offer.

Sarah is driven by the problem-solving aspect of engineering, particularly the real-world challenges that require innovative solutions and have a significant positive impact on society. When asked about her favorite part of working at Airbus, Sarah emphasizes two key aspects: the people and the variety of work. She appreciates the knowledge and helpfulness of her colleagues and enjoys the collaborative environment across the company. Additionally, the dynamic nature of the Space Line of Business keeps her role exciting, offering constant opportunities to engage in diverse and challenging projects.

Currently, Sarah is working on Airbus U.S.’ ARROW450 product and programs. As the fault management lead, she analyzes potential in-flight failures of the spacecraft bus and devises response strategies to ensure satellite safety and swift return to operations. This crucial work helps maintain the integrity and functionality of Airbus’ satellite missions.

Working in a field traditionally dominated by men, Sarah acknowledges some challenges, but also embraces the opportunity to pave a way for future female engineers. Despite these challenges, Sarah is proud to be a woman in STEM and hopes her work inspires the next generation of female engineers.