Jim Brice
From SEDSWiki
From Nova, March 2006
Alumni Spotlight: Jim Brice
By Kirk Kittell
Students for the Exploration and Development of Space has an impressive list of alumni who have gone on to important posts in the space industry. This time we’ll focus on Jim Brice, a senior principal engineer at the Orbital Sciences Corporation in Dulles, VA. Jim is the founder of the University of Central Florida SEDS chapter, graduating from UCF in 1990 with a bachelors degree in industrial engineering.
Jim has spent 7 1⁄2 years at Orbital, starting as a systems lead on the X34 program. Currently he works as a lead systems engineer on the test and development of the Kinetic Energy Interceptors program for the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. “On the ballistic missile program I am getting experience in ‘nuts and bolts’ systems engineering and taking a program from design to hardware.” He also serves as a docent at the nearby Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. UdvarHazy Center.
Jim attended the second edition of the International Space University summer session in Strasbourg, France in 1989. His experience at ISU motivated him to start the SEDS chapter at UCF with friends Fernando Santos and Glenn Lockwood, both of whom he still maintains contact with. After graduation, Jim worked for the International Space University as the Director of Academic Affairs and eventually the Deputy Program Director. In 1993, Jim reported to the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, MD to develop the program for NASA Academy, an educational program for university students who want to become leaders in the space industry.
After three years working on the Academy program, Jim moved into a new position at GSFC in the Earth Science Program Office. “I still had an eye on engineering, and asked to be transferred into a technical position.” Jim had no difficulties moving from an educational position back into a technical position: “If you do a good job, and people think you’re competent, they will allow you to do anything.”
Jim is excited about the opportunities that are coming up for this generation of students, especially the directive for NASA to return to the Moon. “Once NASA and Congress get things worked out, you’ll be set for life. You get to step in on the ground floor.” Jim is positioning himself to be a leader in the new exploration programs through his work at Orbital.
“SEDS was a great experience. You never know where an opportunity will come from. Get out there. Get business cards. The experience will pay off.”
For more information about Jim Brice’s path, visit Orbital Sciences Corporation, UCF SEDS, NASA Academy, and the International Space University.
emailed by —Ben Brockert (talk) 01:57, 16 October 2006 (MDT)
