At Amentum, we celebrate our people, our cultures, and we recognize the value of diversity and inclusion. In March, we’ll focus on Women’s History Month while shining a light on one employee at a time. Today’s Q&A is with Jill Bruning, President, Engineering, Science and Technology.
How did you come to join Amentum?
I have been with the company for 12 years, starting with URS, then AECOM, and then launching Amentum.
What is your professional and personal background?
I am a Mechanical Engineer with a master’s degree in cryogenics from MIT.
Describe the work you do and how you think it makes a positive impact.
I lead our Engineering, Science, and Technology business group where we offer digital engineering services, prototyping and integration, research and development, unmanned systems, training, data analytics, and information technology. These are technologies and the market areas our customers need for national security.
What are some of your accomplishments and/or what has been your proudest career moment?
I have had a very blessed career (although not necessarily an easy one), but a few moments come to mind. The first was working on the cryocooler used to fix the Hubble Space Telescope. Then, I was lead for the network transformation project in the intelligence community after 9/11 happened. And lastly, I am very proud to have been part of the launch and continued evolution of Amentum. We had a vision of what Amentum could be and it is amazing being part of actually making it happen!
What do you enjoy about working for Amentum?
Without a doubt, it’s our people and getting to work in the various teams that execute within our company as well as with our customers. We are excellent at executing the mission! There is something you feel when you work here that is part of something larger than an individual – what we do matters every day.
What are you passionate about?
My family – my husband passed away very suddenly two years ago, and both my parents passed away last year. It made me realize a lifetime is a lot shorter than we think, so I treasure every moment I can with my five children and soon-to-be eight grandchildren.
What’s your career advice?
Always do the best you can do, be your authentic self, and don’t be afraid to go where the maps end.
What does safety mean to you or do you have a favorite safety tip?
Safety at its core is caring about people and prioritizing people first. So don’t skip those safety moment opportunities to set the tone and let people know, we focus on safety because we care!
What’s the best invention in the world and why?
I guess I would be pretty lost without the internet and my cell phone!
Anything else you would like to share from a personal or professional perspective?
As women leaders, I believe we have an obligation to lift each other up and support one another.
I did not even know a woman executive, much less have a woman mentor, so I feel strongly about playing it forward, to be the voice I never had, and help connect the amazing women in our company. We have come a long way in the nearly 40 years I have been in the workforce, and we continue to accelerate progress by working together. When women support each other amazing things happen – we are an incredible force when we build each other up.
Considering this monthly observance, tell us more about yourself. Please address one or more of the following questions:
What’s your favorite book?
One of my favorite books is still Lean In by Sheryl Sandburg. My copy was given to me with a personal note from Martin Koffel, the CEO of URS. My daughter gave me another book last Christmas I really like; Untamed by Glennon Doyle.
Favorite film?
I recently watched the movie Cabrini. I was so inspired by the story of the woman who founded 67 institutions in the United States to serve the orphaned, sick, and poor communities in the 1890s, long before the Government had social services. She was a force and all her institutions were managed by women.
Favorite musician?
As far as music, some of my favorites are: Pink, Adele, Billie Eilish and The Beatles.
