Embry-Riddle Aerospace Engineering Alumna Grace Lavold Launches Career at Lockheed Martin

For Grace Lavold (’26), the path to a B.S. in Aerospace Engineering began with a Christmas morning launch in 2011.

Growing up with a fascination for space, Grace spent high school considering several majors. Then, while watching NASA's Curiosity rover launch, she found the future she wanted to help build.

“That moment inspired me to contribute to the aerospace industry and be part of something bigger than myself,” she said.

Opportunities Abound at Embry-Riddle

That sense of possibility led Grace to Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where the Aerospace Engineering program offered the academic focus, industry proximity and community she was looking for. Originally from the Midwest, she said the chance to study close to Florida's Space Coast at the Daytona Beach Campus made her choice an easy one.

“The idea of being close to so many opportunities, to be surrounded by like-minded students and to attend a university that specializes in aerospace engineering made my college decision pretty easy,” she said. "It also helped that the school was near the beach!"

At Embry-Riddle's College of Engineering, Grace found small class sizes, a growing campus, a wide range of clubs and research opportunities and, most importantly, people she could count on while living far from home.

“My friends from clubs, work, my sorority and classes were a huge support system during my time at Embry-Riddle,” Grace said. “Even being able to say ‘Hi!’ to someone in the hallway or in the union after a hard class or exam lifted a weight off my shoulders and reminded me that there were people there for me.”

Student Support Sets Embry-Riddle Apart

Staff members at the Center for Career and Professional Development helped guide her through major decisions, including choosing an internship and preparing for a full-time role after graduation. “Their advice and support are things I will always be beyond grateful for,” she said.

Alpha Xi Delta was another source of support and growth. As vice president of finance and operations, Grace developed leadership skills while learning to balance responsibilities inside and outside the classroom.

After attending a conference hosted by the Society of Women Engineers, Grace secured an internship with L3Harris. She worked as an integration and test engineer in Huntsville, Alabama, where she connected with mentors and experienced a new part of the country.

Finding the Right Engineering Mission Without Burnout

For those interested in aerospace engineering, Grace recommends taking time to understand the many paths in the field.

“Take time to research the different types of engineering, because it can understandably be confusing when there are so many options,” she said. “Get to know different missions and understand what sparks passion within you.”

While her time at Embry-Riddle helped her grow as an engineer, it also taught her the importance of balance. Between academics, work, Greek life, clubs and friendships, Grace learned that staying busy can be valuable — but not at the expense of well-being.

“Stay busy but leave room for yourself,” she said. “I learned the hard way that having no time for myself led me down a path of anxiety, stress and breakdowns.”

Walking Confidently into a Systems Engineer Career

After graduation, Grace began her career as a systems engineer at Lockheed Martin.

“After studying aerospace engineering at Embry-Riddle, this feels like a meaningful next step and a great opportunity to apply my technical background in a professional setting,” she said. “I am especially looking forward to learning from the engineers around me, growing within the company and contributing to projects that are larger than myself.”