August 21, 2025
By Joshua Stewart

Whether they’re exploring space or supporting key national defense operations, Georgia Tech engineers have influence and significant responsibility at the world’s biggest and most respected aerospace companies. The College of Engineering asked a few of them, including Woodruff School alumnus Philip June, to tell them about their work and what they see just over the horizon.

Philip June

Vice President and Program Integration Officer for Space Mission Systems
Boeing Defense, Space and Security
ME 2006

I serve large satellite program management leaders and their teams. In general terms, I work to help our programs run more efficiently from proposal through launch. Our portfolio has many programs with billions of dollars of business from the commercial to government sectors. I help manage risks, issues, and opportunities and identify new ways of working through the use of generative AI, data analytics, and other tools. My goal every day is to help one leader or one teammate be better at their work by removing a roadblock or offering my perspective.
 

Why is that work interesting to you?

Space has long been a passion of mine. I’m sure that I wasn’t the only young, budding engineer who watched Space Shuttle launches and looked up at the sky with awe and wonder. I still feel that child-like wonder and curiosity when I learn something new from all the brilliant people I have a privilege to work with every day. That keeps me excited about what I do. It’s a real blessing and a privilege to grow up and do what you have passion for and have had lifelong interest in. I’d also add that being a leader working in space is the cherry on top. Leadership has also been a passion of mine since becoming a first-line leader over 15 years ago. I couldn’t ask for a more fulfilling career.
 

What are you most excited about right now in space?

I am most excited about all the investment and innovation driving space forward. After many years of development and partnerships and new business models, we are starting to see innovation not only in products but also in business models and the commercialization of space. It’s an exciting and challenging time to be in the business. Ultimately, I believe that what we are experiencing now will push humanity forward in a meaningful way. If you love all things space and aeronautics, there’s no better time to be alive.