Biosketch
Kenneth Hawkey is from Lincoln, Massachusetts, and is currently majoring in Mechanical Engineering at UMass Lowell. He is entering his senior year, where his capstone project will focus on the chassis of the university’s Formula Society of Automotive Engineers (FSAE) car. Passionate about racing, automotive engineering, and aerospace, Kenneth has been deeply involved with River Hawk Racing, the university’s FSAE team. After serving as the team’s Chief Engineer last year, he now serves as President of the club and team.
This summer, Kenneth is working as a product design engineering intern at BAE Systems within its Controls & Avionics Solutions business. He views this as an incredible opportunity that he would not have received without the Shah Academy program.
Kenneth was originally drawn to the Shah Academy because of the opportunity to learn from experienced and established leaders. He believes that leadership is about helping others reach their full potential and sees dedication as a powerful form of inspiration. His conversations with Bhupen Shah have influenced his decision-making as a leader within FSAE, reinforcing the value of applying classroom knowledge to real-world projects. He has further developed his technical knowledge through his previous internship at Diversified Technologies Incorporated, where he designed components with considerations for high voltage and planned the order of operations for radar system construction.
Leading an FSAE team is similar to managing a small company, offering numerous chances to develop leadership and technical skills. Ken values the opportunity to grow in this environment before entering the industry. As he approaches his senior year, he continues to pursue his passion for racing, automotive engineering, and aerospace while preparing for a career in the engineering industry.
Kenneth also appreciates the personalized guidance that comes from having a mentor. He plans to implement suggestions from his mentor, Maria Abreu Sepulveda, to improve the team’s recruitment process. Each meeting with her provides insight into how she leads at BAE Systems, offering Ken valuable lessons for his own leadership journey.