Engineer
A Place to Learn, Grow, and Support One Another
Background and Path to CMSI
Can you share your background and what brought you to CMSI?
I started my career cleaning airplanes when I was young. At some point, I realized I wanted to understand more than just the surface work—I wanted to know how things actually functioned.
I asked around, learned about technicians, and decided to go to school to earn my A&P(Airframe and Powerplant certification). After graduating, CMSI visited my school looking for technicians, and I applied. That opportunity became my entry point into the company.
What inspired you to pursue this career?
I was curious and motivated to grow beyond my initial role. Once I learned what technicians did and what kind of impact they had, I knew that was the path I wanted to take.
Growth and Learning at CMSI
How has your career grown since joining CMSI?
When I first joined, I only had college experience and no hands-on training, which made me nervous. CMSI gave me the opportunity to apply what I learned in school to real-world work. Over time, I learned not only mechanical systems, but also communication, electrical systems, and computer-based operations.
What lessons have shaped you professionally?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is the importance of studying and truly understanding the system. You can’t rely only on experience—you have to read, learn, and stay involved. That realization pushed me to keep improving my knowledge.
Role and Daily Work
What does a typical day look like for you?
My day usually starts with a START meeting, where we review safety practices, daily tasks, and team assignments. After that, the team moves into their work, and I support them as needed.
The technicians are very independent, but I stay available to help, guide, and step in when necessary.
What do you enjoy most about your role?
As a supervisor, I enjoy sharing the knowledge I’ve gained—especially what I’ve learned from working with Japanese engineers—with newer team members.
When I started, I asked many questions, and now I want to make sure I support others by answering questions clearly and helping them truly understand the system.
Team and Culture
What makes your team unique?
We are like a family. We take care of one another, communicate openly, and support each other—even when mistakes happen. There is a strong sense of trust and unity within the team.
How would you describe CMSI’s culture?
CMSI has a positive and welcoming culture. It’s easy to communicate, easy to learn, and people genuinely try to support one another—even on difficult days.
How do you and your team stay motivated? We motivate each other by staying connected. If someone is having a rough day, we try to understand and support them. We make a conscious effort to lift each other up, not bring anyone down.
Message and Looking Ahead
What advice would you give to young women interested in this field?
Don’t be afraid. It can be intimidating in a male-dominated industry, but many people are willing to help and teach. If you don’t know something, ask—learning is part of the process.
Where do you see yourself growing within CMSI?
I enjoy where I am now. As long as I can continue training and teaching others, I’m happy to keep growing in that direction.
What excites you most about the future of CMSI? I’m excited about the potential expansion in Tampa. These trains are capable, reliable, and well-received by passengers. Being part of that growth would be very exciting.