Career

Evelyn Orozco-Smith

Space Shuttle Main Engine (SSME) and Main Propulsion System (MPS) Engineer

Hometown: Miami, Florida

Colleges/Degrees

University of Florida, Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering, Master of Science candidate in Mechanical Engineering

Why did you decide to study math/science/engineering?

I always liked and was good at math and science.

What inspired you to work for NASA and how did you get hired?

I have always been fascinated with the concept of flying so it seemed obvious to be interested in the shuttle program. The way I was hired is still a mystery to me. I was on an educational leave of absence from my then job at Pratt and Whitney. I had a NASA Graduate Scholar Research Program (GSRP) Fellowship and was working on fracture analysis on the main engine high-pressure fuel pump turbine blades. This fellowship required me to spend at least a couple of weeks at Marshall Space Flight Center in order to work more closely with the engineers there. I went on my three week adventure (I had never been to any of the centers, let alone worked there), got back and everything was back to normal. Then one day in December, I received an early morning phone call from the HR person here at KSC. Believe me, it was unbelievable to me. I thought I was dreaming. He told me that there was an aerospace position open in the Fluids Branch and, if I wanted the job, it was mine. He told me to go online and fill out the application just for formality. The next day we talked salary and the job was mine; no interview, no visit. Now I’m here doing what I’ve always dreamed of doing.

Discuss previous positions held and how they led up to your current position.

Before hiring into KSC, I worked as a structures engineer doing structural analysis for Pratt and Whitney for the shuttle main engine high-pressure fuel pump; which at the time was not in production yet. That job introduced me to the strict requirements NASA works with; therefore it helped me understand the mentality and culture here at NASA.
During my graduate studies I worked at Marshall Space Flight Center for three weeks. Being there gave me an idea of how the centers interact.

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a career with NASA?

Study hard, get involved in every activity you can, get involved in the co-op program, do internships,