Faces of SLS: Alicia Carrillo

As chief engineer for NASA’s Space Launch System Booster Integration, I am the technical lead for integration of all of the components and assemblies into the booster. I really wanted to get involved in the development of the new rocket motor, the booster for SLS, and help define the configuration.  This is a new opportunity for me and allows me to leverage my previous experience integrating full-scale static tests, which is the ground firing of an actual full-scale rocket motor.  What keeps me excited about my job is the variety of topics and challenges associated with integration of an entire booster. I appreciate seeing the big picture and how unique hardware at a component level fits together to perform a function at the assembly level.

There’s nothing like the excitement of a solid rocket motor static test. The anticipation, preparation, final countdown and sense of accomplishment in the control bunker makes it worth it every time. The product is also highly visible and makes it into the local news and news among the space community. Smoke and fire, baby! I’m looking forward to reaching the test flight phase of SLS to experience the same thing — but even better — for a launch.

As a kid, I loved to read and had a fascination with planets and stars. My grandmother bought me books — of the nonfiction, technical variety — and I dreamed of being an astronaut. I’m fortunate to work in the field that I once dreamed of.

I grew up in Loveland, Colorado, and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Colorado School of Mines. If a student is interested in pursuing a career similar to mine, I would tell them to take as many math and science classes as you can get your hands on, and to be open minded and opportunistic early in your career. The key to my career path has been jumping at chances that seemed to fall into my lap and then taking a risk to lead instrumentation with my chemical engineering background. It all worked out.