ESC junior engineers compete in Innovation Challenge

  • Published
  • By Angela Collier
  • ESC Engineering Directorate
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Two teams from the Electronic Systems Center are in a fierce competition to deliver a new wireless communication capability for the deployed warfighter and recently presented their final concept briefings as part of ESC's Innovation Challenge.
 
Similar to the Air Force Research Laboratory Commander's Challenge, the Innovation Challenge puts together teams of junior government engineers to work on a current problem.

"These junior engineers are experiencing a priceless chance to learn hands-on development and rapid acquisition, something that a second lieutenant or civilian trainee may not get to see so soon in his or her career," said Herb Grover, an ESC engineer on the Challenge's administrative board. "In the Challenge, they can experience all facets of the acquisition process."

The current Innovation Challenge teams are each comprised of six junior government engineers, who were selected based on their various backgrounds and skills. Second Lt. Jareth Lamb, Alyssa Feola, Pramod Kulkarni, 2nd Lt. Dylan Smith, 2nd Lt. Adam Wong and 2nd Lt. Justin Wylie make up "Team Alpha." Second Lt. Kevin O'Brien, 2nd Lt. Senobio Chavez, 2nd Lt. Michael Hofman, Andy Lee, Yakov Salzberg, and 2nd Lt. Kyle Woodard comprise "Team Bravo."

The teams are working to develop the most functional and cost-effective solution for ESC's Theater Deployable Communications (TDC) program office. TDC provides the warfighter with flexible, lightweight, modular, scalable and integrated deployable communications. The current, labor-intensive capability is in need of a wireless upgrade to ensure easier connectivity to the Global Information Grid (GIG).

During the Challenge, the team members are able to experience the broad spectrum of the acquisition process.

"We get a chance to think strategically, not just focus on one task or discipline," said O'Brien, Bravo team lead. "We're responsible for all aspects of the project."

The participants get the chance to experience the technology for themselves, and according to Challenge organizers, the hands-on aspect has become one of the most exciting parts for these engineers. They also learn how the technology will be used through discussions with vendors, subject matter experts and users in the field.

In this Challenge, the engineers have not only gotten the chance to learn about emerging wireless technologies, but also hone their professional and interpersonal skills.

"Right off the bat, we discovered the need to be self-driven," says Lamb, Alpha team lead. "We had to devise our own schedules and motivate ourselves to stick to them. Luckily, we all want to be successful so we all strive to be accountable to our teammates."

The TDC program office also has the potential for substantial cost savings because of the challenge.

"Since we are utilizing our 'in-house' government engineers, TDC does not have to reach out to external vendors for research and development," said Deanna Michalowicz, ESC engineer, and part of the Challenge's administration board. "This could potentially save tens of thousands of dollars."

The teams are working rapidly to finalize their designs and prototypes for "fly-off" demonstrations in May.

The winning team will then be chosen based on a list of criteria such as meeting requirements, innovation, sustainability and team professionalism. Up to two engineers from the winning team may join the TDC program office to ensure a swift transition of the winning capability.

While each team hopes to hoist the Innovation Challenge trophy in May, all the members acknowledge the honor of being selected for the program.

"We are proving that ESC's junior workforce can quickly deliver effective capabilities to the warfighter," said Lamb.