March 4 is World Engineering Day, a global moment to recognize the innovators, builders, and problem-solvers who shape our world.
It is easy to celebrate the visible outcomes of engineering such as the aircraft in the sky, the platforms in operation, and the software powering critical missions.
But engineering is not built by hardware or code alone. It is built by people.
To mark the occasion, we asked our engineers at Performance a simple question: Why do you do what you do?
The responses were thoughtful, candid, and deeply human. Together, they tell a story about the culture behind our work and the kind of team our partners gain when they work with Performance.
It Starts Early: Curiosity, Creativity, and a Love of Building
Every engineer’s path into this profession looks a little different, but the spark often comes from the same place: curiosity.
For Carter Hay, Senior Project Engineer, the journey began early. “I received my first computer, along with a C++ book as a gift from my grandfather when I was 9 and would often wake up early to read and experiment before school,” he says.
For Jake Conway, Senior Principal Engineer, it was the team-based thrill of robotics. “FIRST Robotics introduced me to engineering as a potential career path.”
For Ma’az Chohan, Software Engineer, it began with a general curiosity. “Interest in software, hardware, and aircraft in general,” he says.
John Sanchez, Project Engineer, reflects on the “creativity and freedom to create” that first drew him in.
These beginnings may differ, but they share one thing in common: a love of discovery and a drive to build something meaningful.
Engineering Beyond the Misconceptions
If you ask our engineers what misconceptions people have about their work, you’ll get some honest, and sometimes funny answers.
“They think I can fix their printer.”
“They think I can fly or repair airplanes.”
“It’s easy and quick to put software on the aircraft.”
There’s humor there, but also truth.
Engineering, especially in aerospace and defense, is rigorous, methodical, and deeply collaborative. It’s rarely glamorous. But it is meaningful.
And our engineers embrace that reality. Because they understand that when systems operate in high-assurance environments, precision isn’t optional, it’s critical.
The Motivation Behind the Mission
When we analyzed the poll, a clear pattern emerged.
- Nearly 40% of respondents said solving complex problems is what motivates them most.
- 25% cited continuous learning.
- And others emphasized building reliable systems that perform when it matters most.
Engineering at Performance means constantly stretching — new platforms, new requirements, new mission sets. In fact:
- 50% of respondents said the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects is what they enjoy most about engineering at Performance.
- Over a third highlighted collaborating with talented teammates.
Experience That Runs Deep
Something else stood out in the data: tenure.
- Roughly 28% of all employees have been with Performance for ten years or more.
- Several have 15+, even 20+ years with the company.
In an industry known for turnover, that matters.
Longevity signals something important: engineers stay here because they are empowered, respected, and trusted.
Naman Ngo, Senior Principal Engineer, has been with Performance for nearly fifteen years. “The fact that when like-minded people working together to achieve the extraordinary outcomes is always motivated me to work smarter as a team,” she says. Over time, that team-driven mindset has evolved into long-term technical leadership grounded in collaboration and deep program knowledge.
Dominika Wilk, Principal Engineer, has spent over a decade strengthening not only her technical expertise but the way she approaches problems. “Being an engineer teaches you very nifty problem-solving skills,” she reflects. That structured thinking compounds over time and benefits every team she supports.
Howard Jow, Senior Principal Engineer, is hitting 10 years with Performance this year. Over that time, he has built his career around solving problems and writing software. “I enjoy working with the customer and developing long term relationships based on mutual respect for technical performance,” he says. That experience has expanded into delivering solutions that make a meaningful difference for customers operating in high-assurance environments.
Shay Martin, Principal Engineer, has spent more than a decade with Performance, growing alongside the programs he supports. He credits “the opportunity to work on a wide variety of projects” as one of the most rewarding aspects of his time at the company. That diversity of experience deepens technical perspective and strengthens program impact over time.
What ties these experiences together is a culture built on ownership, technical rigor, and long-term investment in people.
And that raises an important question.
If this is the kind of environment where engineers build ten-, fifteen-, and twenty-year careers, what could your career look like here?
