PAST 38 BY 38 RECIPIENTS
Zaid Alami
"Purdue Engineering is more than an education, it's a mindset. My degree taught me how to think and solve problems, even when they are unprecedented. Navigating the unknown became routine. The tenacity and perseverance I learned served as foundations for conquering challenges in my career. Purdue taught me how to effectively work across countries and cultures. I learnt ways to build successful teams, identify individual strengths and motivate teams to leverage those strengths. Purdue Engineering focuses not only on producing the best engineers but well-rounded leaders that can solve technical problems and build relationships, leading teams with humility and inclusivity. "
Zaid Alami | Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering
Country Managing Director, Indonesia, The Boeing Company
Zaid Alami's journey in aviation started at the age of 15 when he first piloted a Piper Warrior aircraft, inspiring his
pursuit of a career in aerospace. Alami knew early on that Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering was the path he
wanted to follow, making Purdue University—a top engineering school and his parents' alma mater—a natural
choice.
After graduating from Purdue, Alami began his career at Sikorsky Aircraft as a Rotors and Transmissions Engineer before
transitioning to Boeing. As a Boeing Experimental Flight Test Engineer, he contributed to R&D and certification
efforts of the 787 and 737 MAX programs.
Alami unexpectedly moved to Indonesia in 2019 shortly after the global grounding of the 737 MAX. There, he established
and led the Asia Pacific & India 737 MAX Return to Service team, overseeing a cross-functional group of 50 team
members across 18 locations. Alami's strategic leadership was instrumental in bringing order to a complex situation. He
developed a Concept of Operations manual, designed a comprehensive training program that upskilled over 350 engineers,
and implemented new processes to ensure the safe return of the 737 MAX fleet to service.
During his tenure in Indonesia, Alami also led the opening of Boeing's first corporate office in the country and
established the Global Support Center for Southeast Asia. This center, a key engineering hub, provides expertise in
areas such as Flight Operations, Systems, Structures, Reliability, Propulsion, Maintenance Programs and Airport &
Air Traffic Management.
In 2022, Alami was appointed as the youngest Country Managing Director at Boeing, responsible for leading Boeing's
operations, growth strategy, government relations, new business and industrial partnerships, and community engagement in
Indonesia. Under his leadership, Boeing significantly expanded its presence in the country.
A graduate of Boeing's highly selective Leadership Next program, Alami has received multiple awards recognizing his
contributions to the safe return to service of the 737 MAX. Beyond his professional achievements, he is passionate about
STEM outreach and actively promotes the importance of education in science and engineering. In his free time, Alami
enjoys supporting Purdue's Boilermakers on the basketball court, playing beach volleyball, SCUBA diving, and hiking.