By: Camille Schuster, Communications Specialist

Transitioning from the military to a corporate environment can feel daunting, but Don Robbins, BAE Systems’ Chief Engineer for Air & Space Force Solutions and a seasoned military veteran has some advice on how you can translate your skills to the corporate world and continue the mission.

Robbins served in the U.S. Air Force for 30 years and six in the U.S. Army. He carries the lessons he learned in the military with him every day into his role at BAE Systems. Here’s what Don had to say about his experience transitioning from the military to BAE Systems:

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What skills or lessons did you take away from your time in service that were most valuable in your career outside of the military?

I learned incredibly valuable lessons in team building and being a leader and follower. The most important aspect is of team dynamics is the ability to work with teams to leverage the strengths of each individual member. When you do that, your team is able to perform at a higher level. Teamwork was number one, and communication was number two – especially that you learn to listen.

What advice would you give to today’s transitioning military?

There was a little bit of uncertainty and angst associated with taking my skillset and converting it to be successful in a corporate environment. I also was concerned about learning how to meet the goals and the mission of the corporation. The biggest piece of advice I can give you is to make sure you follow your desires and understand that the first job you get might not be the right job. It’s okay if it’s not exactly what you wanted.

Retired military personnel may change jobs several times before they find their “dream job.” Look around, use your network, and consider professional sites like LinkedIn. Even though I have been with BAE Systems since my retirement, I changed roles several times and adapted with every role. I can’t emphasize enough to trust your network.

Prior to joining the company, I had not considered BAE Systems. A friend I was stationed with in the Pentagon several years ago, who knew I was retiring, contacted me. He asked me to send my resume and to my surprise, someone from BAE Systems reached out to me. We talked, and a few weeks later, I was onboarding with the company.

What do you do today for BAE Systems?

I am currently the Chief Engineer overseeing the Engineering function of BAE Systems Air & Space Force Solutions. Recently, I was selected as the Engineering Authority for the BAE Intelligence and Security Sector. The skillset I built during my time in the military directly applies to my current role.

From my time in the military to today, I have adapted and learned how to successfully communicate in a corporate environment. I feel valued, and I feel a strong sense of camaraderie among our team. Being patient and adapting to new situations has really paid off. I’m pleased with all I gained from my military career and the skills I brought to the corporate world that allow me to contribute to the military mission.

What’s the most rewarding thing about your work at BAE Systems?

The people! I’ve ran into many talented people from all walks of life. Former and retired military are great to meet and work with and I’ve met very talented and skilled people who have come up through the corporate world. The diversity of the corporate culture inspires me daily to learn from others and adapt my talents to the goals of the company. The people here are very impressive and working with them every day puts a smile on my face and makes coming to work worth it.

Any advice for those trying to pursue a career in digital engineering?

Digital Engineering (DE) is growing in every part of our world. If you look around, digital electronics are pervasive. I recommend anyone interested in digital engineering to immerse yourself in it. Learn all you can about model-based systems engineering, and the revolution that cloud brings into the technical world – access to data from anywhere. Challenge yourself to learn different technologies – Artificial Intelligence, cloud applications, cyber security, secure software development, and agile development.

Immerse yourself in digital engineering capabilities. There are opportunities all around that offer certifications in specific DE skill sets – take advantage of them. Aggressively seek out knowledge, training and certifications in your desired field then apply them to your task at hand. It’s a game changer and turns heads.

As we celebrate Veterans Day, what does this day mean to you?

It’s a day of reflection: A reflection on those who have served our great country. Those who came before, as well as, those individuals currently serving. I give them a lot of respect and gratitude for their sacrifice so we can enjoy our liberty and freedoms. In my mind, they are all warriors and heroes.

Anyone who has served the US in a military capacity understands that it’s not something you can easily forget because of the remarkable people you met along the way. We can never forget that anyone who serves has given part of themselves to our country, some will live with that for the rest of their lives, some we lost and we remember their sacrifice. We should never forget the warriors that came before us and those serving today to ensure we remain a free nation.

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