Leading Leidos Women: BEYA Dr. Wanda M. Austin Legacy awardee Krystal Porter
The year has only just begun and Leidos employees are already breaking records. The 35th Annual Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA) science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) Conference will be recognizing 37 of our esteemed employees for their contributions to the industry.
One of the honorees is Krystal Porter, lead engineer for the Airborne Reconnaissance Low-Enhanced (ARL-E) program within our Defense Group. Porter will be receiving the Dr. Wanda M. Austin Legacy Award. Her experience as an enlisted U.S. Army soldier and commissioned officer, technical writer, site systems engineer, and current role as lead engineer have led her to a career described as being an Outstanding Technical Contribution.
Porter’s team notes that she is a quick learner, providing eminently critical in a role that requires rapid thinking and creativity to solve complex problems. After presenting her research-based solution to her team’s ARL-E customer, her focus on Size, Weight, and Power – Cooling (SWaP-C) limitations during solution development allowed the system to fit perfectly into a confined airframe while sharing data between three differing security level enclaves, a first for any U.S. Army manned Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform.
Porter’s impressive resume as a military officer Veteran helps her to understand the warfighters she supports and the significance of their missions, while ensuring they get the level of support needed.
In addition to her role in the Defense Group, Porter is one of Leidos’ solution architects, a group of elite technical minds selected by the Leidos Office of Technology to provide top notch technical solutions for the toughest engineering problems.
Her leadership extends far past Leidos, as well. Porter volunteers with the SANS Institute, striving to keep cybersecurity training affordable and the American Diabetes Association’s Tour de Cure fundraiser. She serves as a fundraising team lead for Tour de Cure, one of Leidos’ corporate philanthropies. Additionally, she encourages kids to pursue STEM fields in her hometown of Chicago with information about strategic educational choices to help them make a difference in the world.
“It's with great honor that I receive this award; Dr. Austin's achievements impacted history,” said Porter. “I am humbled and grateful to continue to uphold her legacy that awaits future black engineers by mentoring, giving back, and inspiring others.”
Ultimately, Krystal Porter’s agility, integrity, and commitment exemplifies her innovation for advanced solutions for aircraft platforms effortlessly, effectively, and proactively. “As a globally recognized leader in technology, engineering, and science, we enjoy saluting the achievements of our diverse and talented colleagues,” said Paul Engola, chief human resources officer and head of business partnerships. “Our Leidos BEYA honorees personify well-earned success.”
Porter, along with 36 Leidos colleagues will be honored this week at the 35th annual BEYA STEM Conference.
