Conversations with a Manufacturing Engineer: Kayla Jordan

It’s essential to shed a light on the importance of manufacturing and how integral it is to society. Engineers like Kayla Jordan are using their platform to raise awareness and demonstrate how manufacturing can change lives.

As part of National Engineers Week, SME is highlighting amazing members to discuss their experience within manufacturing. We dig into the things they’ve learned throughout their career, what’s next within the engineering industry, and how SME has played a role in their manufacturing career and professional development.

Like many engineers, Kayla Jordan grew up filled with curiosity about how things were made. Growing up in Detroit, Michigan, at a young age she would often look at vehicles and other machines wondering how certain components operated.

Jordan, who was recognized as a Smart Manufacturing Magazine’s 30 Under 30 and a future industry leader stated in her interview she would often look at automobiles and think, “I want to understand the process of what it took to make not only cars but other electronics I used, such as my computer and phone.” It’s no surprise when Jordan explains that as a kid, her favorite TV show was How It’s Made.

Now, in her professional career, Jordan is an Electrical Engineer with an MBA focused on International Business. Over the course of her career, she’s gained experience in automotive and audio electronics. Currently, she is working within the aerospace and defense industry for L3Harris Technologies.

Along with her role at L3Harris Technologies, Kayla is active within the manufacturing community advocating for diversity within STEM. She is the co-host of the She Too STEM Podcast celebrating and building community with the Black.STEM.Queens. She has been an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers since 2014. Jordan has been a contributing member of SME since 2022 serving as an Executive Committee Member for the Smart Manufacturing Experience and participating in other SME programs and initiatives.

One of the most recent SME initiatives she’s supported was a webinar series program for Manufacturing Month. This program focused on young professionals discussing details on how they became an engineer and the story of their journey through manufacturing. Jordan was the featured conversation facilitator for the webinar Shop Talk: Finding Your Place in the Manufacturing Industry where she detailed her move from Detroit to Salt Lake City where she pursued a career in aerospace and defense with L3Harris Technologies. Jordan is an important voice for women and minorities within manufacturing. She is a valuable thought leader and wonderful example of everything a career in manufacturing has to offer.

Why did you decide to go into engineering?

"I was always (and still am) fond of solving problems. I was invited to join an engineering summer program prior to my freshman year of college, to make sure I was prepped for the curriculum. I wanted to contribute to new technologies and challenge myself to learn new theories and implementations."

What’s the most surprising thing about engineering that you discovered after starting your career?

"The most surprising thing is that the latest technology is not always the greatest for a particular individual or organization's needs. Engineering is not solely about creating the "next new thing." Rather, it's typically about creating processes and relying on tried-and-true resources to complete tasks."

What would you like to see in the future in the engineering industry?

"I would like to see engineering become more vocal about how integral it is to society. There are so many disciplines that deserve to shine, and interesting discoveries are being made every day. Entertainment collaboration between similar and dissimilar disciplines (for instance, the show Mythbusters) would be great to see an increase in number."

How has SME Membership helped with your career?

"SME has encouraged me to network and use my voice. I believe everyone has a story to share that may inspire or connect others to a common thought and/or goal. I thank SME for giving me the opportunities to reflect, observe and apply what I gather from other members."

SME is the only professional organization that represents members from all facets of manufacturing. SME connects manufacturing professionals, academia, and communities, sharing knowledge and resources to build inspired, educated, and prosperous manufacturers and enterprises. Learn more about SME Membership and how SME can help you advance in your manufacturing career.  With 90 years of experience and expertise in events, media, membership, training, and development, and through the SME Education Foundation, SME is committed to promoting manufacturing technology, developing a skilled workforce, and attracting future generations to advance manufacturing.