Benjamin C. Linder
Director of Flight Sciences
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
BSAAE 1994
"My educational experience at Purdue connected me to generations of family, friends and aviation leaders and provided me with a strong understanding of aeronautical engineering fundamentals. I am proud to have made positive contributions to aviation and to have followed my grandfather, John Herbert Leffel (BSCE 1932), as a Boilermaker alumni."
Ben Linder graduated from Purdue University with a Bachelor of Science in Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering in 1994. He attended the University of Washington where he obtained a Master of Science in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 1995. Several years later, he attended Seattle University and obtained a Master of Business Administration in 2006.
Linder is the Director of Flight Sciences for Boeing Commercial Airplanes (BCA). In this capacity, he is responsible for the integrated airplane performance, loads, and dynamics characteristics of all BCA airplane products by leading a team of more than 700 people. Mr. Linder oversees the development and growth of the Flight Sciences engineering functions: Aerodynamics, Noise, Weights, and Loads & Dynamics. Most recently, he was the 777 Fleet Support Chief Engineer responsible to ensure the 777 airplane fleet maintained its safe and economical operation with customers around the world. Previously, Linder was the Chief Engineer of Aerodynamic Characteristics and Flight Performance, the 777 Safety, Certification and Performance Senior Manager, the Everett (747/767/777) Airplane Safety Engineering Manager, and a Product Marketing Regional Director. He joined Boeing as an Aerodynamics Engineer in Commercial Airplanes where he enjoyed assignments in product development, sales support, flight test, certification and fleet support. In his career, he has worked on every Boeing commercial airplane model produced since he joined Boeing as an engineering summer intern in 1993.
Linder's professional interests are in the areas of aviation, international business, engineering, mentoring, and development of future leaders. He is married, lives near Mukilteo, Washington, and enjoys sports (soccer, football, baseball, basketball, scuba diving, alpine skiing), fast cars, gastronomy, the outdoors and travel.