Taylah Griffin – Aircraft Engineer

Taylah Griffin is on a mission to inspire kids, particularly indigenous students.

Taylah Griffin is a proud Gangulu woman, who grew up in Gordonvale in Far North Queensland, Australia. Gangulu is an Indigenous Australian language belonging to the Pama-Nyungan language family, specifically classified under the Yuibera branch. It is primarily spoken by the Gangulu people, who are traditional custodians of the land in central Queensland, Australia.

Gangulu language and culture have a rich history, encompassing various aspects of traditional knowledge, including storytelling, song, and connection to the land. Gangulu serves as an essential part of the cultural heritage and identity of the Gangulu community, contributing to Australia’s overall diversity and linguistic landscape. She had an interest in STEM[1] subjects from an early age and went on to study Electrical and Aerospace engineering at the Queensland University of Technology (QUT).

She was the first Indigenous woman to graduate from QUT with an engineering degree, and the first Indigenous person to graduate with an Honours in Electrical and Aerospace Engineering. She now works as a Test Engineer at Boeing Defence Australia. Griffin has always been fascinated by aeronautical engineering. She did her first year studying law and politics but was bored with that and changed to engineering.

I always had an interest in planes but where I grew up, you know, we didn’t see a lot of them. I didn’t travel much as a kid and hadn’t really been on a plane until I was quite later in life.

Taylah Griffin

She interned at Boeing Defence Australia in late 2017 before her graduation in 2018. The company welcomed her back as a graduate systems engineer in January. She is based in Brisbane as part of the team working to upgrade the RAAF’s six E-7A Wedgetail early warning and operations command aircraft.

My job is in the test team. We test the modifications and upgrades to the aircraft – flight checks, ground checks, any kind of tests really. Then we write documents to verify that the testing is compliant and does what it’s supposed to, and away the aircraft goes back into service.

Taylah Griffin

The planes are based on the Boeing 737-700 platform and their advanced Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar[2] can track airborne and maritime targets simultaneously. At Boeing, she is a corporate social responsibility ambassador, and as part of that she visits rural schools, engaging with students and promoting STEM and higher education. Unfortunately, there are currently not many Indigenous people working in the Aerospace field, but this is something Taylah hopes to change, and she believes that the challenges she’s faced will become easier over time as we see more and more young Indigenous people in the STEM workforce.

I feel very motivated at this point. I’d like to stay in Boeing. They’re doing a lot of good work with a reconciliation action plan, and I’m heavily involved in that. It’s a great initiative that shows that they’re going to give back to the Indigenous community. And that’s something that’s really important to me, being Indigenous myself.

Taylah Griffin

Taylah has been a guest host on Triple J’s Science Hour with Dr. Karl, won a 2021 CSIRO Indigenous STEM Achievement Award[3], and is a 2022 National Science Week ambassador. I heard Taylah speaking with Dr.Karl on the Shirtloads of Science podcast and found her very interesting.

Shirtloads of Science – Aussie Aerospace with Taylah Griffin (310)
Footnotes
  1. STEM, an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics, represents an interdisciplinary approach to education and professional fields that emphasizes the integration of these four disciplines. STEM education and careers foster critical thinking, problem-solving skills, creativity, and innovation through hands-on learning experiences. It aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly evolving technological landscape and address complex challenges in various industries. StEM education is often promoted to enhance scientific literacy, promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields, and drive economic growth through the development of a skilled workforce. The integration of STEM principles is increasingly recognized as a key driver of innovation and competitiveness in the 21st century. [Back]
  2. The advanced Multi-Role Electronically Scanned Array (MESA) radar is a cutting-edge radar system that combines advanced scanning technology with multi-role capabilities. MESA radars utilize electronically scanned array technology, which allows for rapid beam steering and flexibility in detecting, tracking, and engaging multiple targets simultaneously. These radars are designed to provide enhanced situational awareness, improved target detection and tracking, and the ability to perform multiple missions such as air defense, surveillance, and weapon guidance. MESA radars offer superior performance in terms of range, accuracy, and resistance to jamming, making them valuable assets for military applications. They play a crucial role in modern defense systems, providing vital capabilities for threat detection and engagement. [Back]
  3. The CSIRO Indigenous STEM Achievement Award is a prestigious recognition presented to Indigenous individuals in Australia who have demonstrated outstanding achievements in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM). This award, offered by the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), aims to celebrate and honor Indigenous students, researchers, professionals, or community members who have made significant contributions to STEM disciplines or have excelled academically in these areas. The award serves as a platform to showcase Indigenous talent, inspire future generations, and promote diversity and inclusion in STEM fields. It highlights the importance of Indigenous knowledge, perspectives, and contributions in driving innovation, scientific advancements, and solving complex challenges in Australia and beyond. [Back]
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Author: Doyle

I was born in Atlanta, moved to Alpharetta at 4, lived there for 53 years and moved to Decatur in 2016. I've worked at such places as Richway, North Fulton Medical Center, Management Science America (Computer Tech/Project Manager) and Stacy's Compounding Pharmacy (Pharmacy Tech).

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