Rebecca Torzone has made a career from what started as a childhood passion. Her innate interest in STEM subjects found its love in Space Camp and has now led her to be vice president of Northrop Grumman’s Missile Products Business Unit within the Weapons Systems Division.

Rebecca’s passion for the U.S. Space program dates back to the second grade, when she made a strategic deal with her parents that would fuel the fire for years to come. “My parents made a deal with me that if I saved enough money to attend Space Camp that they would pay for the airfare. I babysat, shoveled snow, and did whatever work I could find to earn the money.” And that she did. She earned enough to attend Space Academy I, Space Academy II, and Aviation Challenge. She also received the “Right Stuff” award while attending Space Academy II.

Her love and passion for STEM work did not end there. She joined Northrop Grumman in 2000 and has worked a vast array of positions and programs across multiple locations, including Colorado Springs, New Orleans, Los Angeles, and Baltimore. Her roles have included Systems Engineering, Strategy, Logistics, Engineering functional leadership, and Program Management positions in increasing complexity for superconducting electronics and airborne and ground radar businesses.

Most recently, Rebecca was vice president within the Engineering & Sciences (E&S) organization. This organization was comprised of over 1,800 engineers, managers, and directors. In this role, she had executive responsibility for all aspects of engineering, sciences, analytics, and logistics supporting program execution to ensure successful program performance.

Rebecca currently leads the Missile Products Business Unit, an industry leader in the development and production of various air, space, sea, and land-based defense systems. The business unit is home to advanced missile capabilities; hypersonic propulsion and testing; upper stage motors and controls; and the development of innovative applications for the energy industry. The division also specializes in advanced manufacturing technologies for a variety of programs supporting current and future U.S. industrial base needs.

Rebecca earned a bachelor’s degree in engineering physics from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a master’s degree in computer science from Colorado Technical University, and a master’s degree in aeronautical science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. She is a graduate of Northrop Grumman’s Systems Engineering Associate program and has also completed the University of Chicago Booth School of Business Executive Strategy program. Rebecca is married and lives in Crofton, MD with her husband and four children.