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While air travel powers global connections, it comes at a cost. Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global CO₂ emissions, driving approximately 4% of global warming. It’s one of the most carbon-intensive activities we can do. How, then, can we make flying sustainable? Sarah Waechter, a College of Engineering and Computing (CEC) alumna and Deputy Project Manager of NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Project, is at the forefront of finding out.

After graduating from ºÚÁÏÉçÇø with a degree in Engineering Management and Manufacturing Engineering, Sarah Waechter has emerged as a leader in sustainable aerospace innovation. But how did she get there? Her passion for engineering was first ignited by her father, who worked in the industry and inspired her to participate in a high school engineering competition—one that her team ultimately won. Waechter’s niche interest in aerospace then took shape during her time at Miami, when a life-changing encounter with a NASA alumna revealed the vast possibilities within the field. The alumna, who had trained astronauts at Johnson Space Center, shared how her degree aligned with Waechter’s studies, sparking a newfound enthusiasm within her. Waechter recalled, “She had the same degree I was studying, and I was like, wow you can do that with this degree? I’m all in, that's what I want to do.”

Motivated by this exchange, Waechter secured a co-op with NASA, which provided both the technical expertise and professional foundation for her career. “I started co-oping with NASA while I was at Miami. Once I started working there, that really just kind of opened my eyes,” she said. “At first, I was really interested in aeronautics, and for our senior design project, I actually signed up to design an airplane. I just thought that was really amazing. From that point on, I was very interested in everything aeronautics.”

Today, Waechter applies that same passion and curiosity to her role as Deputy Project Manager of NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator Project. Leading a team dedicated to revolutionizing aviation, she is working on cutting-edge solutions to make air travel cleaner, more efficient, and sustainable for the future. “The premise of our project is that the U.S. has a climate action plan for aviation to try to get us to net-zero emissions by 2050. And to do that, you need some technology development…Our project is focusing on trying to get a more sustainable aircraft in the commercial world in the 2030s,” Waechter explained. To accomplish this, a demonstrator is actively being built. Having partnered with Boeing, the team is developing a one-time-build airplane called the X-66, which they hope to fly later this decade.

As Deputy Project Manager, Waechter works closely with Project Manager Brent Cobleigh. Together, they are responsible for various tasks, including balancing the budget, managing the schedule, overseeing the technical side of operations, and more. “I like working with people…I’ve always liked that side of engineering, where you get a mix of the technical, the business, the people part, and the outreach. I just like all of that. I like the mix,” Waechter shared.

While her career has been incredibly rewarding, being a woman in engineering comes with its challenges, and Waechter has experienced her share. “In the workplace, the biggest challenge I think I find is people’s unconscious bias,” she said. “When I was working at Johnson Space Center, they actually confused me for the secretary, and it was just this very awkward encounter. I think that’s the hard part…I don’t experience very many people at work who are intentionally trying to treat me differently as a woman, but it’s just built into our society, so it’s hard to break that or even really bring it up.”

Waechter’s ability to excel in her role serves as an inspiration to women pursuing careers in engineering. However, as NASA breaks through barriers in aviation, they are also making strides in visibility for women in STEM. “One of the things I really thought was special is that my Project Manager actually brought up really wanting to do something for the women on our project. We have a lot of women in important positions, and that’s not the most common,’” she said. Currently, the team is working on creating a video showcasing the incredible women contributing to their project, aiming to increase visibility and proactively discuss representation with the public.

While Waechter has come a long way since her time at ºÚÁÏÉçÇø, she hasn’t forgotten her roots. She participated in CEC’s May 2024 Alumni and Friends gathering, hoping to inspire the next generation of engineers in Oxford. Reflecting on her decision to return to campus, she shared: “I wanted to give back. I was inspired by somebody that came and talked to our school. I really felt like I’d like to go and hopefully help inspire other kids.” And inspire them she did. This event marked her first time returning to campus since graduating, making the experience all the more meaningful. Looking back on her time at Miami, she said, “I loved the camaraderie within the engineering crew. We’d always go to the lab and study together. Some of them I still work with…There’s still that Miami community that I still get to see every once in a while.” 

Sarah Waechter addresses an audience of current ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs, faculty, and CEC alumni at the May 2024 Alumni and Friends conference. Her presentation was entitled "."

As a key member of the team driving innovation in aerospace, Waechter is passionate about guiding the next generation of engineers. She shared several pieces of advice for aspiring professionals looking to follow in her footsteps. “Do not think you have to be the smartest person in the room. Don’t not apply because you don’t think you’re going to get it. There’s nothing that’s going to be hurt by applying for a job or putting yourself out there,” she said. Waechter also emphasized the importance of soft skills, particularly communication. “In an interview, they’re not necessarily going to see all your technical skills,” she explained. “They’re going to see how well you communicate—how well you are able to portray what you want to get across. So definitely that’s important.” For ºÚÁÏÉçÇøs aspiring to work at NASA, she advised, “I think a lot of times, having something that stands out on your resume, because a lot of things come up the same, so being involved in internships, co-ops, or in the community. That can really help grab attention to whatever you’re doing.” She added, “Especially for NASA, we are not necessarily the people building something, even though sometimes we do, so a lot of analytical skills are helpful.”

Sarah Waechter’s journey from ºÚÁÏÉçÇø to NASA is a powerful example of how passion, perseverance, and a commitment to innovation can shape the future of aerospace and engineering. Her dedication to sustainability, her efforts to break barriers for women in STEM, and her commitment to giving back to the community make her an inspiring representative of the College of Engineering and Computing. CEC is immensely proud of Waechter’s achievements and grateful for the example she sets for future engineers. Through her work and mentorship, Waechter is advancing the aerospace industry while encouraging aspiring engineers to dream big, pursue their goals with confidence, and contribute to a brighter, more sustainable future.