IDS's Thad Sandford takes a basic approach to assembling complex systems

BY JOEL R. NELSON


Thad Sandford's passion for making a difference was born of Cold War urgency and never waned, even after the superpower standoff faded. Propelled into engineering at the dawn of the Space Age, Sandford devoted himself to strengthening the nation's rocket, satellite and aircraft capabilities. Four decades later, Sandford retains a youthful enthusiasm for his work. "I'm a kid in a candy store," he said, pointing to the vast array of Integrated Defense Systems products and programs. "Look at all this. What else could a kid want?"

Sandford, vice president of Engineering at Integrated Defense Systems, is responsible for providing engineering support to a multitude of space and defense systems. Among his priorities: ensuring the technical integrity of the $27 billion organization's products by deploying the right people and the right processes, making sure all risk issues are fully understood, and fostering continuous improvement.

He takes a down-to-earth approach to assembling some of the world's most complex systems. "I want everyone to be able to answer one question: 'How do you know you're right?' Good people understand personal responsibility, and if they can't answer the question, then something isn't right."

Much of Sandford's attention is spent on finding, hiring and training good people. "One of IDS' big challenges is fully staffing each program," he said. "We must resolve our skill mix issues to meet our projected technical and program commitments."

Sandford has helped improve core engineering strengths by sponsoring Web-based training and several master's degree programs. He also established a systems engineering course for new hires and a Boeing Leadership Center training program for more senior engineers.

Boeing's acquisition of the space and defense business of Rockwell and Hughes Space and Communications, and the merger with McDonnell Douglas, generated new challenges. "I want to continue bringing together the tremendous talent of these companies and incorporate their best practices," he said. "We're still learning to work in a collaborative way and institute effective interaction on scheduling and cost matters as well as on engineering issues."

The focus on high standards is paying off. This year, most IDS sites will achieve Level 5 of the Software Engineering Institute's Capability Maturity Matrix, the highest standard for software processes. Most sites will also achieve Level 3 of the Capability Maturity Matrix Integrated standard, a key milestone in reaching Level 5 by 2005.

"The payoff is higher quality and reduced cost for most of our products," Sandford said.

Another major element of IDS' strategic push is Future Combat Systems. "FCS is probably the U.S. Army's biggest modernization since the post-World War I era," Sandford said. "We're helping build a better, more flexible, more responsive Army."

The 63-year-old Sandford speaks in a soft drawl, the product of his Texas upbringing. Born in Fairbanks, Alaska, he later moved with his family to the Lone Star State. Life continued serenely until October 1957, when the Soviet Union launched the first man-made satellite.

"Everyone taking advanced math at my high school was encouraged to go into engineering," Sandford recalled. "For me, it wasn't even a decision—I wanted to get right into research and development."

Sandford took his math talents to Texas A&M, and after earning his bachelor's degree in 1963, he joined the U.S. Air Force. He earned a master's degree at the University of Tennessee Space Institute and returned to Texas A&M for a doctorate in Aerospace Engineering. In January 1989, after 26 years and about a dozen moves, Col. Sandford retired.

"It was a great experience," he said. The Air Force was probably the most aggressive of the services in developing and using new technologies. "There was a real sense of national purpose."

Seeking a new outlet for his energies, Sandford joined Rockwell International's National Aerospace Plane Program, where he tackled the challenge of developing a new generation of hypersonic aircraft. As in the Air Force, the assignments came at a rapid clip, culminating in his current position.

After all these years, he remains awed by his surroundings. "In a lot of ways I have the best possible job. I'm up close with so many different, terrific things—satellites, rockets, Sea Launch, aircraft, helicopters, and so on. Even better than the technology are the people I work with. And I can make a difference. That's what gives me a thrill."