AIAA Recognizes MAE's Dr. John Hsu for His Contributions to the Aerospace Industry Group
A CSULB lecturer since 2003, Hsu is one of 19 recipients of the 2021 AIAA Sustained Service Award, which recognizes members who have made significant and sustained contributions. Hsu was recognized for more than three decades of contributions to the AIAA Systems Engineering and other technical committees, and coordination of conference sessions, publications, and short courses.
"Of course, I am thrilled and happy," said Hsu, an AIAA Fellow who also teaches in CSULB's Antelope Valley Engineering Program.
Hsu praised AIAA for providing opportunities to collaborate and celebrate excellence. "The promise is to be the vital lifelong link to the aerospace community and a champion for its achievements. This is the place for everything, from exploring the history to catching up on the latest news," he said.
After joining AIAA in 1989, Hsu became involved in technical committees for systems engineering, aircraft design, visualization, and computational environments. He has served as chair of the Systems Engineering Technical Committee, editor for "Advancement of Systems Engineering," associate editor of the Journal of Aircraft, and a professional development instructor. He also led ANSI/AIAA standards development.
Hsu began his engineering career in the 1970s, working as a project engineer at TRW and Carolina Power & Light Co. before joining Garrett AiResearch (now Honeywell) as director of engineering and computer services in 1979.
His career took him to Northrop Corp., then McDonnell Douglas Corp., where he worked as a principal research investigator, advanced aircraft design manager, twin-jet hydromechanical department manager, and C-17 flight controls project manager.
Joining Boeing in 1996, he worked eight years as systems engineering integration team lead of its Airlift & Tanker Programs before moving on to management positions in systems engineering and advanced systems within Boeing's Integrated Defense Systems division.
Hsu has taught systems engineering throughout his career. At Boeing, he taught systems engineering to about 700 engineers studying project management, and provided the mandatory systems engineering orientation to new hires.
From 2006-2010, he was a visiting professor for the United Kingdom's Royal Academy of Engineering, teaching at universities as well as Bombardier Aerospace, British Aerospace, British Telecom, Vodafone, Goodrich, Jaguar, and other countries. He also taught at the Technical University of Delft, KLM, and Fokker Aircraft in the Netherlands.
MAE Chair Dr. Jalal Torabzadeh said Hsu's industry and teaching experience are invaluable. "Dr. Hsu maintains and promotes a teaching philosophy encompassing real-world theory application and direct industry experience," said Torabzadeh. "This philosophy and teaching mindset translate to effectiveness inside and outside of the classroom, and are greatly appreciated by his students."
Hsu holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering from North Carolina State University, and master's degrees in Nuclear Engineering and Mechanical Engineering.
He also holds an International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE) Expert Systems Engineering Professional (ESEP) certification, is a Registered Professional Engineer in California, and a lecturer and advisory board member for UC Irvine's systems engineering and international communications certificate programs.
