Wayne S. Tygert
787–10 Chief Project Engineer,
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
BSAAE '85
For his impact on the field of aerospace engineering by continuously redefining the cutting edge of commercial airplanes and delivering technical innovation and improved aircraft performance.
Any engineer working in a highly
technical, high-profile job might tell you
that the devil is in the details. But Wayne
Tygert would also suggest that you keep
an eye on the big picture. He has applied
that bigger lens to daily assignments
that have led to advances in flight while
working for one company, Boeing
Commercial Airplanes, for just a shade
over 30 years.
From his birthplace in Nyack, New York,
a small town just north of the Big Apple
and west of the Hudson River, Tygert
moved west to Purdue, as the first
family member to attend college. With
the Seattle-based Boeing, his first stop
post Purdue, he says, "I just kept going
west and stopped when I hit the water."
His company climb has never stopped.
Tygert’s journey – from day one
(Jan. 14, 1986) as an entry-level engineer
supporting dynamic flight load analyses
for the 747-400 program to today as the
787-10 Chief Project Engineer – has been
marked by technical achievements and
awarded by continually increasing
responsibilities.
The growing responsibilities, always
greeted with his own high expectations,
helped him develop a collaborative
leadership style. "As the chief engineer
of an airplane program, I’m accountable
and responsible for the safety and product integrity of that airplane," says Tygert,
currently at work on the development
phase of the 787-10, a third installment
of Boeingâs Dreamliner, a wide-body,
twin-engine aircraft distinguished by
its fuel efficiency and use of composite
materials.
Prepared for workplace challenges by the
rigors of an education in the School of
Aeronautics and Astronautics, Tygert says
he developed the engineering knowhow
"not just from a fundamental standpoint,
but also on an approach to problem-solving.
Sometimes it’s more about where
you go to find an answer, rather than
develop it yourself."
Tygert says Boeing engineers are
constantly challenged to push the
envelope of technology, turning lessons
learned into real benefits in the next
airplane. "Our customers â the airlines
and the flying public â expect that.
A new airplane that gets more than
20 percent performance improvements
over its predecessor is a significant
game-changer for the airlines."
With all his own professional success,
Tygert also has embraced a mentoring
role for the next generation of
aerospace engineers. He mentors
engineers at Boeing and serves as the
companyâs focal executive for Purdue,
and an active partner with the University. He personally encourages
students to turn academic passions into
careers while advising them to get as
much "street cred" as possible by
establishing a solid technical foundation
and building a strong network.
"When I coach people today as they
approach college graduation, I ask if theyâve
touched base with industry to get a feel for
what actually goes on,â Tygert says. âHow
are they going to apply their education?
That’s the piece I didnât quite have coming
out of college."
The opportunity to reconnect with his
alma mater has been particularly
energizing. "It’s inspiring to walk through
Armstrong Hall and see how far Purdue has
come with all of the integrated labs and a
multidisciplinary approach," Tygert says.
"It makes me want to go back to school."
As for returning to campus to receive his
Distinguished Engineering Alumnus
Award, the New Yorker turned Seattleite
by way of Purdue is both amazed and
humbled. Steeped in the everyday
challenges of aerodynamic analysis,
environmental performance, and test
flights, Tygert downplays the list of
accomplishments he has achieved during
his career. "Still," he says, "it’s a tremendous
honor to be thought of in this light."
Career Highlights
| 2015-present | 787-Chief Project Engineer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes |
|---|---|
| 2010–2015 | Director of Flight Sciences, Boeing Commercial Airplanes |
| 2009–2010 | Loads and Dynamics Chief Engineer, Boeing Commercial Airplanes |
| 2007–2009 | 787 Airplane Development Leader, Boeing Commercial Airplanes |
| 2005–2007 | Loads and Dynamics Senior Manager, Boeing Commercial Airplanes |
| 1998–2004 | Various Technical Managerial Positions, Boeing Commercial Airplanes |
| 1991–1998 | Lead Engineer, 777 Systems Structure Interaction Group, Boeing Commercial Airplanes |
| 1986–1991 | Engineer, Structures Dynamic Loads Group, Boeing Commercial Airplanes |
| 1985 | BSAAE, Purdue University |