Employee Spotlight: Meet SNC Business Analyst, Malikah T.

December 07, 2020

Many people think to have a career in the aerospace industry, you need to be an engineer or some type of scientist, but that’s not the case! It takes all types of skill sets to keep a company like Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) running, including those with a mind for finance.

SNC is keeping business analyst, Malikah T. busy. When she’s not crunching numbers, analyzing program financials, she’s leading a training program for the company’s project analysts and volunteering her time on SNC work committees. But a busy schedule doesn’t bother her! She says it’s all worth it to growth amongst both her coworkers and at SNC.

We sat down with Malikah to learn more about her multi-faceted role at SNC and who she’d call up to take a trip to the Moon with her.

What drew you to SNC and how long have you been working for the company?

I found SNC through an online job posting. I had been working in finance for a few years, but I was really interested in being a part of something innovative and challenging. After doing some research, I learned SNC is really pushing the envelope with new products. And wow, here I am two and a half years later!

You are a business analyst, what does that position entail and what’s a day in the life like?

As a business analyst for SNC’s space business area, I get to dip my toes in a lot of different projects. The majority of my time is spent analyzing program financials and performance, but I also get to work directly with some of our project managers on their programs. In addition to that, I support our project analysts with any questions or concerns they might have. I really enjoy the variety of interactions my position provides.

I’m told you’ve taken over project analyst training for SNC’s space business area. What does that added responsibility mean and what inspired you to do that?

Training project analysts is one of my favorite parts of my job. The great part about working at SNC’s space group is that no product line is the same and we have project analysts at all different skill levels. I love the challenge that comes with training. It really forces me to stay on top of my game! It’s wonderful seeing each team members’ growth.

You also have taken the opportunity to volunteer on a few SNC committees- how have you helped SNC further development of best practices?

I am a contributor to the Business Operations Integration Working Group. It’s great to talk to other business areas and build those relationships. We are working on a way to align program cost and schedule reporting across SNC’s different business areas. I think we will be able to provide data that will greatly increase the level of insight program managers have on their program status.

Why is space exploration so important to you?

As a kid, I would always look up at the stars in awe. A century ago, being able to develop the technology to get into space seemed crazy! But we did it! Continued space exploration to me means overcoming what seems impossible. It gives me hope.

If you could travel to space with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

I would travel to space with Dr. Jessica Watkins. She is an African-American astronaut from Colorado. I used to collect rocks when I was a kid. Since she has a doctorate in geology, I would love to collect samples with her. Maybe I would be able to take some home!

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Interested in joining the Sierra Nevada Corporation team? Apply today at sncorp.com/careers.