Derek Shum
About Derek Shum
Derek Shum is a Senior Engine Avionics Systems Engineer at BLUE ORIGIN with extensive experience in the aviation and aerospace industry, including roles at Sikorsky and TDM Pharmaceutical Research.
Current Role at BLUE ORIGIN
Derek Shum currently holds the position of Engine Avionics Systems Engineer, Sr at BLUE ORIGIN, starting in 2022. In this role, he applies his extensive experience in avionics systems engineering to advance the company's ambitious aerospace projects. He focuses on resolving design issues and improving avionics systems through trade studies and collaboration with cross-functional teams, leveraging his strong communication and presentation skills.
Past Experience at BLUE ORIGIN
Before his current role, Derek Shum served as an Engine Avionics Engineer III at BLUE ORIGIN from 2019 to 2022. During his three-year tenure in the Greater Seattle Area, he contributed to the development and refinement of avionics systems. His responsibilities involved technical problem-solving, coordination with different departments, and the implementation of engineering solutions to meet the organization's goals.
Work at Sikorsky
Derek Shum's tenure at Sikorsky includes multiple roles: Sr. Systems Engineer from 2016 to 2019, Sr. Systems Engineer for six months in 2018 at Patuxent River, MD, Systems Engineer from 2014 to 2016, and Systems Engineering Intern in 2011. Across these positions, he accrued valuable experience in systems engineering, contributing to various Department of Defense projects with Army and Navy customers. His work involved addressing design issues and supporting engineering initiatives within the aviation field.
Early Career and Internships
Earlier in his career, Derek Shum worked in multiple roles, including Project Manager/Technical Support at TDM Pharmaceutical Research, LLC in 2008 and Intern/Technical Support at Avantix Laboratories, Inc. from 2005 to 2006. These roles in Newark and New Castle, DE, respectively, provided Derek with foundational experience in technical support and project management, which he later transitioned into his aerospace engineering career.
Educational Background
Derek Shum has a robust educational background with a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) in Business Administration and Management from the Isenberg School of Management, UMass Amherst, completed between 2015 and 2017. He also holds a BS in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Maryland College Park, where he studied from 2007 to 2012. These educational achievements have equipped him with both technical engineering knowledge and management skills, aiding his professional journey in the aerospace industry.