“The experiences I had while working helped me discover what skills I needed to focus on in the classroom.”
For Riley Benson ’24, who earned his master’s degree in systems engineering and technology management in August 2024, Commencement is more than a milestone — it’s a reflection of the lessons learned balancing full-time aerospace work with graduate studies, and a lifelong passion for space exploration.
Based in Los Angeles, Riley worked full time at Northrop Grumman while pursuing his graduate degree through Rensselaer at Work, the professional education division at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI).
What first sparked your interest in aerospace and space exploration?
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated by space and rocketry. One thing that solidified my interest was being able to do a job shadow at SpaceX during high school and getting to see the dragon capsule. That experience convinced me that aerospace engineering was the path I wanted to take.
How did RPI prepare you for your role at Northrop Grumman?
I got my initial internship at Northrop Grumman through the RPI Arch program, which led to me getting offered a full-time position during my senior year at RPI. Of all the skills I learned while at RPI, I have used my technical writing skills the most.
You worked on the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) — what was that like?
I served as a mechanical test engineer, interpreting drawings and technical documents to write assembly and test instructions for various components. I also helped assemble and test engineering hardware like the sunshield simulator. The experience gave me a newfound respect for the interdisciplinary work required to assemble satellites, with test engineers serving as an intermediary between the various design engineers and the technicians.
What led you to pursue your master’s through Rensselaer at Work?
I was looking to get a master’s degree in systems engineering to help me in my career. Rensselaer at Work’s real-world, project-based curriculum appealed to me as a working professional, and the class times fit my work schedule, even though I work on the West Coast.
How did working in the field while continuing your education help you grow?
The experiences I had while working helped me discover what skills I needed to focus on in the classroom. I was also able to choose relevant projects during my master’s degree that I could apply to my job.
What’s something people might be surprised to learn about you?
I played viola on the Foo Fighters’ track “I Am a River” and appeared in their HBO documentary Sonic Highways.
What’s next for your career?
One of the reasons I decided to major in systems engineering and technology management was how much I work with systems engineers on a day-to-day basis. Learning their skillset has helped inform decisions that are made and has helped me grow as an engineer. In the future, I hope to move into project management on the technical side.
