Distinguished New Engineer

Cary Kaczowka is a program manager at Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD), a business of Raytheon Technologies, now RTX. In her current role, she is the technical instructions program manager for the MK 54 torpedo program, delivering obsolescence mitigation and systems engineering solutions to the U.S. Navy.

Originally from Massachusetts, Kaczowka pursued a dual major in mechanical engineering and design, innovation, and society at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. After graduating in 2013, she began her full-time career in The Boeing Company’s Engineering Career Foundation program. After six rotations in two years, she became a fittings design engineer for the 777X empennage, designing actuator fittings that will be flown in passenger aircraft for decades to come.

In 2019, Kaczowka completed an M.S. in materials engineering at the University of Southern California and applied her knowledge in her next role as a product development engineer with The Boeing Company. She led the technology development of additive manufacturing materials for Boeing Commercial Airplanes in addition to projects related to composite structural materials. In 2020, Kaczowka transitioned to managing a team of engineers and technical professionals, helping customers and enabling aircraft configuration.

Feeling a pull to return to New England and family, Kaczowka transitioned to her current role at Raytheon. She oversees more than a dozen projects at any given time in a multimillion-dollar portfolio and contributes technically to each, ensuring the MK 54 torpedo program is operational and available for the Navy. She directs all efforts that mitigate engineering risk, enabling competition for future multimillion-dollar contracts. She quickly adapted to this electrical engineering-focused effort, winning the trust of her new colleagues and customers.

Kaczowka became an active Society of Women Engineers member in college, serving as an officer for four years. She experienced SWE’s networking power firsthand as her connections introduced her to her full-time career at Boeing and challenged her to grow in personal leadership skills. As a professional SWE member, Kaczowka continues to support SWE and its mission, both within Raytheon and at the Society level as a leadership coach, section representative, and Pacific Northwest Section president. Kaczowka was recognized with a WE Local New ELiTE Award in 2021. Currently, she is the professional development chair for the SWE New England Shoreline Section.

Kaczowka’s desire to integrate work and play sparked her pursuit of dual degrees in engineering and humanities. This intentional integration, with the support of SWE, helps her to live out her love of sailing. Managing the technical challenges of the sailboat she lives aboard continues to build her confidence. Kaczowka often spends time encouraging others, hosting informal engine lessons in her community and for fellow SWE members. She continues to grow her sailing skills and spent a month helping crew the S/V Maiden from Southern California to the Caribbean via the Panama Canal. She shared highlights of this experience as a keynote speaker at WE Local Salt Lake City in 2020.