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Gabriella Loaiza

Mechanical Engineer/Project Manager at Naval Information Warfare Center Pacific

Check out Gabriella Loaiza fixing a micro unmanned underwater vehicle before launch during a Silent Swarm test event on Lake Huron in Michigan.

YEARS AS AN ENGINEER: 4

COLLEGE(S) ATTENDED: San Diego State University

COLLEGE MAJOR/DEGREE: B.S. Mechanical Engineering

EXPLAIN YOUR CURRENT JOB ROLE: I am the prototyping and technology development lead for the Unmanned Maritime Vehicle (UMV) Lab. In the UMV lab we get to design, build and test new capabilities for any type of maritime vehicle whether that is a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), an autonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) or an unmanned surface vessel (USV). As the lead, I get to take part in all the awesome projects that are happening in our lab and get to guide and cheer on these projects to success. The end goal of what we do in the lab is to get each technology we work with into the hands of our sailors fighting overseas for the purpose of keeping them and our nation safe.

WHY DID YOU BECOME AN ENGINEER? I became an engineer because growing up I was very creative and loved to design and build stuff with my hands. My mom is also an engineer and always told me that engineers help art come to life and that’s what I wanted to do. The idea that I could use my creativity and combine it with robotics was so exciting to me, and it felt like the possibilities of what I could create were endless.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? My favorite thing about my job is that I get to be a part of the very early stages of the development of amazing technology. I get to be there during the brainstorming, the prototyping and get to go out on the water and see it tested for the first time. It is the most rewarding feeling to see something you saw on the drawing board become a reality.

WHAT IS THE MOST CHALLENGING THING ABOUT YOUR JOB? The most challenging part of my job is the research and study that goes into every design before we can begin building. We want to make sure all the physics and math is correct before we proceed. For me it’s the most challenging because I am a hands-on person, but others would say that’s their favorite part!

WHAT ADVICE DO YOU HAVE FOR KIDS AGES 8-12 WHO MIGHT WANT TO BECOME ENGINEERS? My advice would be to find your dream engineering job, lock your eyes on it and start working towards it now! For me that dream was becoming an Imagineer for Disneyland (the engineers that create all the attractions at the park!). That kept me excited and interested in engineering as a little girl and motivated me through university. The way I started working towards that dream was attending STEM events, working hard in my math and science classes and looking for a robotics team to join. You can start doing that now! Although I am not an Imagineer today, that dream brought me to where I am in my career today, and I could not be happier! And who knows what the future has in store.