University of Arkansas Student Lands Engineering Job at SpaceX

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Luke Vincent

Luke Vincent, an electrical engineering graduate student, has an exciting year ahead of him. Not only is he graduating from the U of A in May, but he will also start his new position as a manufacturing engineer at SpaceX, the aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company based in Hawthorne, California.

Not only has Vincent had a NASA internship, but he also was able to get an internship at Tesla in the summer of 2018.

Luke said that it was at his Tesla internship where he made a connection that would change his life forever.

"One of those employees ended up moving and working with SpaceX, and it was that employee that referred me to work for SpaceX," he said.

Interestingly, like so many students who first start college, he had a different plan for his life. In fact, he said he originally wanted to be in the architecture program, but he quickly realized it was not the right career path for him.

"I knew I was good at math, and I liked math, so that's why I chose engineering," he said.

After deciding to switch career paths, his passion for the space industry really started to fall into place.

Vincent's professor adviser, Jeff Dix, said he's an excellent student who's always ready to take on new challenges.

"Luke has strived consistently to learn and grow during his time here at Arkansas both at the undergraduate and graduate levels," Dix said. "I know he will achieve greatness there and exceed their expectations."

Vincent and his wife, a U of A alumna, are both excited and a little nervous about their upcoming move.

"We're leaving our friends, we're moving far away from our family; that's going to be hard," he said.

Even with all the changes ahead, they both are looking forward to the adventure and possibilities coming their way.