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Kariza Martin

from Cafe waitress to Materials and Process Engineer
I support the production of aircraft parts.
Industry
Aviation
Company
Boeing
Job Level
Mid
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Ask me about

  • What does an average day look like?
  • What made you want to work with aircraft?
  • What do you love about your job?

About me

  • International Experience

In year 10 I decided I wanted to be an engineer because I loved physics and math. I decided on Aerospace Engineering because I found flight so fascinating. I studied Aerospace Engineering and Business Management at RMIT University. I had an amazing university experience where I got to study overseas and do an internship at Rolls-Royce UK. After uni I worked as a contractor for the Royal Australian Air Force, I realised a couple years in that I missed learning so went back to uni and did a PhD in Aerospace Engineering sponsored by Boeing. I worked at Boeing as a Composites Research Engineer after my PhD and then transitioned to a Materials and Process Engineer in 2022 which is where I am today.

About my role

  • Decisive
  • Disciplined
  • Practical
  • Principled
  • Resourceful

Materials and Process Engineers support the fabrication of aircraft parts at Boeing Aerostructures Australia. We do this by improving processes to make them more efficiently, as well as improve the way we build the parts so they are stronger and have higher quality. We spend a lot of time in the manufacturing line to learn and improve the process. We look for improvements at every step of the operation – from the actual making of the part, to its painting and all the way to when parts are assembled. The purpose of our job is to ensure that the parts in the aircraft are made efficiently and most importantly defect free.

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Education

  • Bachelors Degree in Aerospace Engineering 2015
  • Bachelors Degree in Business Management 2015
  • PhD in Aerospace Engineering 2022

Subjects

  • Chemistry
  • English
  • Mathematical Methods (Maths B)
  • Physics
  • Specialist Mathematics (Maths C)

Awards

  • Highschool - Dux of 2009
  • Women in Engineering scholarship 2010
  • Pro-vice chancellor award for top engineering student in 1st and 4th year 2011 & 2014
  • Aerospace Staff Prize 2nd and 3rd Year 2012 & 2013
  • George Alexander Foundation Scholarship 2014-2015
  • Stephen Shattock Prize 2014
  • Aerospace Staff Prize 4th/5th Year 2016
  • Royal Aeronautical Society Prize

Hobbies

  • Cooking
  • Hiking
  • Rock climbing
  • Running
  • Travel

Pets

  • 1 Dog
  • 2 Cat

15 year old me!!

“If you know where you want to go, don’t be afraid of the barriers, there are many roads to get to the same destination. ”

My career journey

Curious to know how I got here? Here’s a snapshot of my career pathway.
  1. Did work experience in a hospital
  2. Decided to study aerospace engineering
  3. Worked alongisde the Royal Australia Air Force
  4. Went back to uni to do a PhD
  5. Progressed to Materials and Process Engineer at Boeing

My typical day

My employer

Behind every Boeing product and platform is a person using critical and creative thinking to solve complex problems and produce future aerospace products that defy gravity, break the speed of sound and allow Boeing to live out its mission to connect, protect and explore our world. Our teams span the areas of defence, space, commercial products and technologies. At Boeing, you could play a hand in taking products from inception and design to delivery and beyond, and solve challenges that enable all of humanity to take flight.