•MOST PROMISING engineer - Bachelor’s •

B.S., Industrial Engineering, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

Since her engagement as an intern at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Corona in 2012, and as a full-time employee starting in 2016, Sarah Reyes has mastered technical evaluation processes, taken on multiple leadership responsibilities and training opportunities, and continually challenged herself inside and outside of her employment duties. As a result, she is already an effective leader and a successful recruiting resource for the naval command, bridging employee and student communities while garnering the respect of her supervisors and the admiration of her peers.

Born and raised in Lancaster, Calif., Ms. Reyes was exposed early to the value of a STEM education by her mother, a middle school teacher and single parent, and the local aerospace industry through nearby Edwards Air Force Base. By 7thgrade, Sarah set her career goals on engineering and applied herself full force for the next several years. While in her senior year of high school, she applied for and received the HENAAC U.S. Navy STEM Scholarship, sponsored by NAVSEA and the Strategic Systems Program (SSP).

In 2012, Ms. Reyes began her collegiate studies at California State Polytechnic University, Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) and launched her career at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC), Corona Division as a student trainee/independent analyst in the Readiness Assessment Branch. She tested data and performed reliability assessments on air and self-defense weapons, providing metrics and analysis that allowed decision makers to measure and manage readiness assessment. 

While a student at Cal Poly Pomona, Ms. Reyes actively participated in several engineering organizations, including the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (Outreach Committee), the Associated Manufacturing Societies (President), and Maximizing Engineering Potential (MEP).

Ms. Reyes graduated in June 2016 with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. She believes that investing in our children is investing in our future. As the daughter of an educator, student outreach is a core value she upholds by volunteering for local STEM events, career days, and robotics competitions. She is a Navy civilian recruiter for the Great Minds in STEM conference and promotes the NAVSEA Scholar program. This year, she participated in the HENAAC conference as a College Bowl coach and mentored 10 college students through various technical and soft skills competitions. She currently serves as a Navy recruiter at Cal Poly Pomona, and officially represents NSWC Corona at various campus events. Recently, she spoke at a Cal Poly Pomona Women in Engineering event and presented her experiences as a Navy engineer and employee of NSWC Corona.

She continues to volunteer for the MEP program, recently leading two NAVSEA educational workshops for Cal Poly Pomona students.

Ms. Reyes currently serves as a quality engineer in the Strategic Systems Assessment Branch of the Strategic Weapons Assurance Division at the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Corona Division.  She supports the Strategic Systems Program by performing Technical Program Management evaluations, developing and reviewing TPM/quality documentation, and providing analysis of overall TPM functions.