VTNSI Distinguished Speaker: Jeff Babione

Title: A Hokie Engineer, from model airplanes to leading the Skunk Works

Abstract: Having dedicated over four decades to the aerospace and defense industry, Jeff has had the privilege of developing and operating some of the most sophisticated air and spacecraft ever conceived. Utilizing his extensive career as a backdrop, he will guide the audience through some of these remarkable vehicles and the technologies that propelled their advancement. Beyond technology, he intends to share how his career trajectory and responsibilities evolved over time, providing context for how his engineering education at Virginia Tech established a robust foundation for subsequent senior roles within the aerospace and defense sector. Ultimately, this will pave the way for a discussion on the current technological landscape. Jeff will share his insights on some of the most promising emerging technologies and how students and faculty at Virginia Tech can envision their studies aligning with these future advancements. His objective is to create an interactive experience, pausing frequently to facilitate questions regarding both technology and his professional journey. Jeff aspires for the students and faculty to gain a comprehensive understanding of their potential career paths and how they can strategically align their academic pursuits with the evolving technological landscape.

Biography: Jeff Babione, a 1985 graduate of Virginia Tech with a Bachelor of Science in Aerospace Engineering (AOE), Master of Science in Aerospace (MS Aerospace) from the University of Washington, and Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Tennessee, was inducted into the Virginia Tech Academy of Engineering Excellence in 2018. Throughout his over 40 years of experience in the aerospace and defense sector, Jeff has held numerous roles, beginning as a staff engineer at Boeing. His subsequent positions included Chief Engineer on the F22 Raptor, General Manager for the F22, F16, F35, GM of the iconic Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, and Chief Operating Officer at the startup Sierra Space. His career has enabled him to work on some of the most advanced aircraft globally, including the Boeing 777, F22 Raptor, F16 Fighting Falcon, U2 Dragon Lady, RQ170 Sentinel, and the Sierra Space Dream Chaser. Currently retired from full-time work, Jeff Babione supports several private equity companies and serves as a board advisor for several aerospace companies.