In this edition of our engineering spotlight, we explore Avital Levi and her journey as a software design engineer at the Moog Torrance, California facility. Avital’s journey towards engineering has been unique, and her impact as a project engineer is remarkable
The Journey
Avital is an electrical engineer and California native. Born and raised in the Golden State, her engineering journey began at a 2-year college in Santa Monica, California. After deciding that she was interested specifically in electrical engineering, she was accepted to University of Southern California where she completed her Bachelor of Science, electrical engineering or BSEE degree. Upon graduation, Avital landed what she described as her “dream job,” working at Intel as a hardware engineer. She viewed Intel as a dream job because they are a global leader in the semiconductor industry and employ top talent from around the world. “It was a great achievement for anyone with a degree in chip design to work there. I felt like I had already reached all my goals.” For five years, she worked hard at Intel on validation on their graphics hardware team.
Although she was content and proud of her achievements, life has a way of opening doors, and a chance encounter at a career fair with Matt Linder, electronics chief at Moog, changed everything. After Avital was encouraged to apply, she landed the job! She began working on the electronics team in Torrance, California. A year later she embarked on a new journey and embraced the software side of engineering as she joined the Flight Software team. Avital jokes that many digital design enthusiasts eventually find themselves in software roles, and now, she lives as one of those anecdotes. As a project engineer on the software team, she is making waves and proving that sometimes the unexpected path leads to the most exciting solutions. Avital’s experience at Intel prepared her for a long and proud engineering journey here at Moog.
Avital and her Subaru, off-roading in Joshua Tree
The Role
Her role as project engineer, especially within the flight software team at Moog’s Torrance facility, is a complex one. Avital is tasked with ensuring Moog’s flight control systems function correctly. She not only explores the technical aspects of software development, but also collaborates with the program management, systems, and electronics teams to drive projects to completion. Her responsibilities include schedule planning, assimilating customer inputs, and coordinating with various internal Moog groups to outline the deliverables, timelines, and scope of work. On the technical side, her focus shifts to validation and verification (V&V)—a critical process where software requirements are reviewed, test cases are crafted, and all activities are governed by the DO-178 process (an approach for developing and certifying software used in airborne systems). This process is not only a procedural formality; it is the cornerstone for safety-critical software, mandating exhaustive steps to validate that the software not only meets its intended purpose but does so with the utmost reliability and safety. Avital’s adeptness in transitioning between managerial and technical responsibilities exemplifies her versatility and especially, her dedication to engineering excellence. These qualities ensure that Moog’s flight control systems are safe and dependable every time.
The Project
Reflecting on the question surrounding her favorite project at Moog, Avital expresses a profound appreciation for the collaborative nature of the Moog environment instead of choosing just one assignment. “I found that I really like working with people.” She spent a significant portion of her career at Moog working on the MQ-25, an unmanned aircraft system, a huge step forward in aviation technology. While this project holds many memories due to the time invested, the human aspect of her job is ultimately what she cherishes the most. Working through the demanding MQ-25 project with her colleagues formed great working relationships. Contrary to her initial expectations of engineering being a field of clear-cut questions and answers, her experience at Moog has taught her that the true meaning of engineering is the journey of problem-solving. At Moog, she experienced the process of engaging with colleagues, navigating through complex challenges together, and discovering that sometimes there are multiple solutions—or perhaps none that fit neatly into a box—and that is what Avital finds truly exciting.
Moog Torrance, California Facility
Avital and her fiancé
The Draw
Avital’s path toward engineering was shaped by a lifelong love for math, logic, and science, not by the stereotypical childhood tinkering and building. Her passion led her to electrical engineering during her community college days, where a course on electricity and magnetism “captured her heart.” This fascination deepened at USC, as she specialized in digital design, drawn to the logical aspects of the field. Engineering became the perfect avenue for her to apply her academic passions in a meaningful and practical way, allowing her to contribute significantly to technological advancements of aerospace without being confined to theoretical problems. Avital’s path proves that a career in engineering can emerge from a variety of backgrounds, united by a common ambition to solve complex problems and innovate with a hands-on approach.
The Motivation
To stay motivated at work, Avital emphasizes the importance of communication and collaboration. Whenever she encounters a technical problem, a crossroads, or simply feels she needs a reset, her go-to strategy is to engage with her manager or colleagues for a different perspective. She values the exceptionally supportive environment at Moog, where open discussions and diverse perspectives are not just encouraged, but are engrained in the company culture. This approach not only helps her regain focus and direction but also fosters a sense of community and shared purpose, which is essential for maintaining motivation and driving progress at Moog.
Off the Clock
Outside of the office, Avital enjoys an active lifestyle. She recalls fondly her days playing roller derby and today, enjoys Ultimate Frisbee. The highlight of her week is the beach volleyball game hosted by Moog in Torrance, and she participates in whenever possible. She says she greatly enjoys playing with her colleagues and bonding over the game. Her hobbies extend beyond sports and touch upon many different arts; she has dabbled in knitting and embroidery and enjoys music – learning to play over a dozen instruments. She has recently taken up the ukulele, playing it spontaneously whenever inspiration strikes. Avital says, “It's funny, I would insist I am not a creative person, but now that I'm saying all this out loud, I guess I am!” This blend of physical, artistic, and musical pursuits illustrates a well-rounded woman who finds joy and fulfillment in a diverse range of interests beyond the engineering world.
Moog's Volleyball team
To the Future Engineer
It’s easy to feel like an imposter when you follow an independent path. Avital advises others to embrace their unique journey because the path to engineering does not require a conventional background or early specialization. Like Avital, who discovered her passion for engineering organically through love for numbers and logic, it’s possible to find success and fulfillment in the field by following your natural interests. Your ride might be different, but it could lead you to a rewarding career in engineering. So, cherish the learning experiences and let your natural curiosity fly you to your destination.
To learn more about the exciting internship and career opportunities that Avital experienced here at Moog, visit: www.moog.com/careers.
This document does not contain Technical Data or Technology as defined in the ITAR Part 120.33 or EAR Part 772.