Professional Development Short-Courses at ATS

AIAA Rocky Mountain Section is offering aerospace relevant professional development short-courses at our 12th Annual Technical Symposium (ATS) hosted by University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) on campus in Colorado Springs CO the day preceeding the Symposium, Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Two sessions are available on Sep 12  -  1) 9:30 - 11:25 am, and 2) 12:30 - 2:25 pm ($49/short-course)

1) Short-Course: Putting the SE in MBSE – MBSE Done Right (2 hours)

Abstract: Join us for an engaging MBSE short-course hosted by Casey Medina of Studio SE, Ltd. This course is designed for aerospace engineers and professionals seeking to enhance their Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE) capabilities. The session will delve into the foundational concepts that are critical for starting your MBSE efforts correctly and efficiently.

Participants will gain valuable insights into the essential skills required to effectively implement MBSE in their projects, ensuring that they are equipped to deploy these skills immediately in their workplace. The course emphasizes the importance of thorough preparation before utilizing any modeling tools or digital engineering environments, underscoring the need to "do your homework" to avoid common pitfalls.

We will also explore the four most crucial questions that every modeler must answer to achieve success in MBSE. By the end of this short course, you'll have a deeper understanding of how to approach MBSE with a structured and informed mindset, setting you and your team up for success in your engineering endeavors.

Instructor: Casey Medina leads Studio SE as the President and CEO. Under his leadership, Studio SE provides a range of exemplary professional development courses including Model-Based Systems Engineering. He has practiced systems and quality engineering across industries including medical device, aerospace, defense, and transportation industries. His expertise extends across disciplines including system development, requirements engineering, model-based systems engineering (MBSE), human factors, quality engineering, risk management, and medical device design control. Professionally, he is focused on developing the art of systems engineering in a manner that fosters adoption and acceptance by organizations resistant to change. He applies systems engineering practices and principles to enable rapid system development and is working to enhance the use of MBSE as an enabler for usability and human factors analyses. He has deployed MBSE to analyze social systems and homelessness. Casey and his team at Studio SE are pioneering the use of MBSE to evaluate natural systems and deploy MBSE to manage and solve sustainability issues.

2) Short-Course: Project Management for Space Missions (2 hours)

Abstract: This specialized 2-hour short-course is designed for aerospace professionals looking to enhance their project management skills in the context of space mission planning. Hosted by Kari Sanders, Orion's Belt Engineering, the course offers a practical and in-depth exploration of the key components involved in managing space missions from inception to execution.

Key topics covered include:

1. Overview of Space Mission PlanningComprehensive examination of long lead items, margin management, and critical areas that require close attention during mission planning.
2. Lessons Learned for Project PlanningInsights from past missions to help professionals avoid common pitfalls and apply best practices in future projects.
3. Agile for Space SystemsTechniques for integrating agile management practices with the rigid deadlines of space system development, testing, and launch. Strategies for combining Agile methodologies with Earned Value Management Systems (EVMS) in government projects.
4. Risk ManagementEffective approaches to identifying, assessing, and mitigating risks throughout the lifecycle of a space mission.
5. Interactive Discussion and Q&ASelected highlights from course materials will be presented, followed by a Q&A session where participants can engage with experts and clarify concepts.

By the end of the course, attendees will have a stronger grasp of how to manage complex space missions efficiently, blending traditional project management techniques with modern agile practices to meet the unique challenges of the aerospace industry. This course is ideal for project managers, engineers, and professionals involved in space mission planning and execution.

Instructor: Kari S. Sanders, Founder of Orion's Belt Engineering has over 25 years of experience with hardware and software development projects ranging from $250,000 to > $1 billion. Her experience spans the project lifecycle as well as systems ranging from optical payloads and spacecraft to satellite ground systems and manufacturing torpedo components.  Kari holds a B.S. in Engineering Physics and a B.S. EE from the Colorado School of Mines; an MS EE from UCLA; and an MBA in Strategic Management from Regis University.

3) Short-Course: Small Team Leadership for Engineers (2 hours)

Abstract: As engineers gain experience and demonstrate their talents, the most skilled are often called upon to lead teams of other engineers. The skill set for leading, however, doesn’t always come naturally to people that have spent their career becoming technical experts. But, anyone can become a great leader with the right mindset and guidance.

This class is intended to provide new and aspiring leaders the foundation they need to lead small teams and make that next career step a successful experience. As an attendee you will learn the traits and principles of good leaders, how to organize and communicate with your team, manage your time and grow your leadership skills for the long-term.

Instructor: Eric Cain is an Aerospace Engineer with over 20 years of experience in both Aviation and Space Systems Design, Development, Test and Operations on various programs, including the soon to launch Dream Chaser spacecraft. Eric earned his BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Colorado, Boulder and an MS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Washington. He has worked at Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Sierra Nevada Corporation and Sierra Space before founding Updraft Aerospace, LLC where he now consults with companies across the industry on Systems Engineer and Process Improvement for developing new aerospace systems and serves as a mentor and coach for young professionals seeking to expedite their path to becoming engineering leaders.