Aerospace engineer, DSTG

From helping design spacecraft to working with rockets, Harrison is fulfilling a dream to use his engineering skills to make an impact

Imagine working with vehicles that move so fast they can heat up to more than 3000°C!

It’s all in a day’s work for aerospace engineer Harrison. His job at the Defence Science and Technology Group (DSTG) is to design new structures and materials that can handle this incredible heat.

“It’s a challenge, but together with an awesome team (spread across Australia), we’re pushing the limits of what’s possible,” Harrison says.

Harrison always wanted to do something with STEM, and at uni he sought out opportunities in aerospace engineering including internships, along with lots of extracurricular projects.

“They were a fantastic way to explore different areas of STEM and hone my skills and interests,” Harrison says.

During an internship at Boeing, he helped design a new concept for a Lunar Terrain Vehicle as part of the NASA Artemis missions, a project which he says strengthened his skills in research and development.

Harrison joined Defence as part of the Defence Graduate Program, hoping to use his engineering skills for something truly impactful.

“Now, I feel like I’m applying everything I’ve learnt to projects that are pushing the boundaries and making a real difference. That’s incredibly motivating.

“I’m constantly learning and growing, but I’ve reached a point where I can contribute meaningfully to groundbreaking projects. It’s incredibly humbling and rewarding to be a part of something bigger than myself,” he says.

“It might sound simple, but being a quick learner and adaptable are crucial in this field. Things change fast, and being able to roll with the punches and learn new things on the fly is key,” Harrison adds.