Colleen Nilson, Ph.D.
About Colleen Nilson, Ph.D.
Colleen Nilson, Ph.D., is a Human Factors Principal Engineer with extensive experience in the aerospace industry, focusing on Human Factors engineering and certification of aerospace systems. She has held various leadership roles at Gulfstream Aerospace and Boeing and currently works at Boom Supersonic.
Current Role at Boom Supersonic
Colleen Nilson serves as the Human Factors Principal Engineer at Boom Supersonic, a position she has held since 2022. In this role, she focuses on applying her expertise in Human Factors engineering to enhance the design and usability of aerospace systems. Her responsibilities include providing technical mentorship and guiding the development of Human Factors programs, ensuring that user experience is prioritized in the design process.
Previous Experience at Gulfstream Aerospace
Prior to her current role, Nilson worked at Gulfstream Aerospace for over a decade. She held the position of Human Factors Lead Engineer from 2010 to 2021 and later served as the Human Factors Group Head from 2021 to 2022. During her tenure, she managed teams focused on Human Factors engineering, contributing to the design and evaluation of flight crew and maintainer interfaces.
Educational Background in Cognitive Science
Colleen Nilson earned her Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Cognitive Science from the University of California, Irvine, where she studied from 1999 to 2005. Her academic background provides a strong foundation for her work in Human Factors engineering, emphasizing the importance of understanding human behavior and cognitive processes in aerospace design.
Experience in Academia and Boeing
Nilson has also contributed to academia as a Lecturer at California State University-Long Beach from 2005 to 2007. Additionally, she worked at Boeing as a Senior Human Factors Engineer from 1997 to 2008, where she gained extensive experience in the certification of aerospace systems. This combination of industry and academic experience has shaped her approach to Human Factors engineering.
Degrees in Aeronautical Science and Management
Colleen Nilson holds multiple degrees relevant to her field. She achieved a Master of Science (MS) in Aeronautical Science with a focus on Human Factors from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University from 1994 to 1996. She also earned a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Management of Technical Operations from the same institution, studying from 1988 to 1994. These degrees complement her expertise in Human Factors within the aerospace industry.