Roberto Melendez, a former U.S. Army National Guard veteran, poses for a photo in front of the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter where he served as a crew chief during his 2012 deployment to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Introduced to computers by a family friend, Roberto Melendez’s fascination with technology began early. After learning to navigate an old Windows 95 HP, the dream of a career in computers was born. Today, Roberto is a software engineer supporting the BICES-X program at General Dynamics Mission Systems in Fort Wayne, IN.
Overcoming Obstacles
Growing up in El Salvador, Roberto took technical school courses in electronics which further fueled his interest. Early programming experiences with Visual Basic and C solidified his desire to pursue software engineering. Life took a turn when financial struggles delayed the traditional four-year college path. Seeking stability and new opportunities, the Army National Guard in Maryland became the next step for Roberto. While he was deployed to Afghanistan, his responsibilities included maintaining UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters as a crew chief. This role, while different, kept the connection to technical work and sparked an interest in aircraft maintenance. Returning from deployment, the Post 9/11 GI Bill provided the financial support Roberto needed to complete a computer engineering degree. The journey culminated in graduation from Purdue University Ft. Wayne in northeast Indiana.
A Fortunate Encounter
While finishing the degree, an event hosted by the Society of Women Engineers became a pivotal moment for his career trajectory. At a hiring fair, a chance meeting with representatives from General Dynamics opened new doors. Impressed by the passionate representatives and the scope of work at General Dynamics, Roberto was offered a college internship opportunity at our Ft. Wayne location.
Growing with General Dynamics
The internship quickly transitioned into a full-time position. Roberto started with the WIN-T team and later moved to the Base Information Collection and Exploitation System Support Services (BICES-X) program. During this time, his roles evolved from testing to development. His daily responsibilities now include developing an extensive framework library crucial for BICES-X's future success, alongside other engineers in Defensive Cyber Operations software. For Roberto, mastery over tools like Selenium, Linux Bash, Windows Batch, and various programming languages has been essential.
“It was an eye opener to know how much of my current work is used to keep us safe out in the field,” said Roberto, the former Maryland National Guard veteran, “It's good to know and I take a lot of pride in the work I do helps to keep my battle buddies safe.”
A Collaborative Environment and Community
Working at General Dynamics Mission Systems offers daily challenges and continuous learning. Roberto enjoys collaborating with his team members to enhance his knowledge and expertise. Additionally, being part of Employee Resource Groups and Get Involved Committee allows for event planning and engagement with colleagues, fostering a sense of community – both virtually and living in Ft. Wayne. Fort Wayne has a blend of small-town charm and big-city amenities while offering a comfortable living environment.
“Having experienced life near major cities like D.C. and Baltimore, the balance found in Ft. Wayne is appreciated,” said Roberto, “The local General Dynamics Mission Systems site, while small, benefits from the larger corporate structure, providing a unique working environment.”
Advice for Aspiring Engineers
This journey from a childhood passion in El Salvador to a fulfilling career at General Dynamics is a testament to Roberto’s perseverance and adaptability. It highlights the importance of seizing opportunities, continuous learning, and the value of a supportive work environment.
Roberto would suggest General Dynamics Mission Systems to anyone considering their next career move. For those interested in software engineering, he offers the following advice:
“My recommendation would be to ensure you have a broad knowledge of different languages, backend as well as frontend. C++ can be as useful as JavaScript under the appropriate circumstances. The best thing to do is be flexible because the job will provide you with challenges in learning new tools, languages, methodologies, and being flexible and open to change will open up your path to so many opportunities!”
