Punahou alumna Tessa DeCoite ’03 returned to campus to speak with members of the Science Bowl and Science Olympiad teams, offering an inside look at her career in aerospace engineering and her work on Boeing’s 777-X program.
An aerospace engineer with more than 15 years at Boeing, DeCoite shared how her early interest in becoming an astronaut evolved into a career analyzing the forces that act on aircraft in flight. She described how turbulence and maneuvering create “loads” measured in G-forces, and how engineers study these stresses to ensure aircraft structures remain safe and efficient. Drawing on her experience with major Boeing aircraft programs – the 747, a long-serving wide-body jet known for its size and range; the 787 Dreamliner, a newer, fuel-efficient aircraft built with advanced composite materials; and the 777-9, the latest generation of Boeing’s 777 family featuring larger, more flexible wings – she highlighted how each program represents different eras of innovation in commercial aviation. She also discussed the tools used to support this work, including wind tunnel testing and finite element modeling, as well as innovations like flexible composite wings that improve aerodynamic performance.
In addition, DeCoite spoke about her professional journey, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and leadership. She credited her growth into a management role to developing strong communication skills and launching a mentoring program within her team.
Mahalo to Tessa DeCoite ’03 for returning to Punahou to inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers.