Sam Youngdale

Sam Youngdale has a diverse work experience in multiple engineering roles. Sam currently works as the TASA Chief Engineer at Scientific Applications & Research Associates, Inc., where they lead the Terrestrial Acoustic Sensor Array (TASA) team in systems engineering, integration, hardware design, and system fielding, maintenance, and testing. Sam has also worked as a Mechanical Engineer at the same company, focusing on the design, verification, and system integration testing of a HFW sensor for detecting hostile fire on helicopter platforms.

Prior to their current position, Sam worked at General Atomics Aeronautical Systems as a System Safety Engineer, analyzing system requirements and designs of Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and improving reliability and safety. Sam also gained experience at Firefly Space Systems as a Stage Systems Engineering Intern, leading the development of a pressurized test vessel for cryogenic component testing.

Sam's previous roles include engineering internships at Scientific Applications & Research Associates, where they worked on targeting sensor calibration and UHF communications antenna design, and at ZF Friedrichshafen, where they supported synchronizer development and the relocation of a truck transmission production line. Sam also had internships at Tesla Motors, JPL (NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory), and California Polytechnic State University, where they gained experience in various engineering projects and research.

Sam Youngdale attended the Georgia Institute of Technology from 2012 to 2017, where they earned a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering.