Paul Krenzer – Avionics Integration Engineer

My first involvement representing PDS was with United Launch Alliance on the Vulcan rocket program. Within a very short time, I was elevated to team lead and became responsible for the project’s overall success. This required a fundamental shift in mindset, from “I’ll do my part” to “I’ll solve this.” Through this experience, I learned actual ownership, understanding that leadership means more than simply being available to help when needed.

PDS demonstrates unwavering confidence in my abilities and commitment to driving success. When new challenges arise, there’s always a learning curve to navigate, different tools to master, and other processes to follow. By remaining open to learning and adapting, I’ve discovered that PDS will position me in situations that sometimes seem impossible, yet somehow we achieve success together. I believe in PDS, and PDS believes in me. As the saying goes, “When you are faced with challenges, you must learn.” I welcome every new opportunity to grow.

My first engagement with PDS was a contract position at ULA, focusing on first-stage raceway harnessing for the Vulcan rocket. After three months of analysis, I discovered that the harnessing could not be packaged within the available space. A critical meeting was called with multiple department leads, and because I represented PDS, there was high confidence that my proposed solution would work. Five departments had to alter their original designs to accommodate the harness requirements, and remarkably, all five agreed to do so in that single meeting. ULA trusted that PDS would provide engineers with answers to challenging situations. Years later, I received a phone call confirming that the first build was flawless and packaged exactly per my design. To date, this remains my most outstanding achievement.

Our industry is constantly evolving and demanding more from professionals. If you’ve chosen aerospace as a career path, you’ll always be expected to learn new systems, protocols, and tools as they’re developed. The challenge, and opportunity, is to adapt and embrace change. My favorite resource is my team members. Each of us brings a different knowledge base and unique experiences. I draw on others’ expertise whenever possible and eagerly share my knowledge when opportunities arise. Collaborative learning is the most powerful tool we have.

When you discover a problem or issue, work it out. Continually develop a solution before raising the problem, then present the issue and your proposed resolution together. Be proactive; your role is to help solve problems, not just identify them. This approach demonstrates initiative and positions you as a valuable problem-solver rather than simply a reporter of challenges.

There are many intelligent, capable, creative problem-solvers in our industry. PDS has collected people who fit that description, but we take it further: We work together as a true team. When I reach out for assistance, I know my issue immediately becomes theirs, and together, we solve it. At PDS, teamwork is far more than just a word; it’s the foundation of our operations and success.

I am a living example of many great design engineers’ impact on my career. Most seasoned professionals genuinely want to share advice, shortcuts, and alternative perspectives. Be a good listener and allow those experienced in their craft to share their wisdom. It’s human nature to want to help people we like. Look at successful sports teams: everyone has a group of industry veterans who support the next generation by passing on the knowledge shared with them. Mentorship creates a continuous cycle of growth and excellence that benefits everyone in our field.