GE would not be the company it is today without its employees. From working mothers to U.S. military veterans, GE has a diverse team that should be recognized and celebrated. So, we created a series called the “Quick Six”—six questions we are asking employees to help us learn about their talents and backgrounds. Together, GE works.

In our second installation of Quick Six, The Bike Shop sat down with Raj Das, the general manager of GE Aviation's Military manufacturing programs in Lynn, Massachusetts.

How long have you been in your current position, and could you provide a brief overview of what you do?

I have been in our military division for six years now. Our team is responsible for ensuring that our new product and production engine programs meet our business objectives by working across the engineering, supply chain and project matrix.

How did you end up in this position? Did you always want to work in Aviation?

I spent 28 years in GE Aviation's supply chain learning how to make parts and build engines. I joined supply chain as I loved to make things. I have stayed for 35 years because we have a great technology business, I enjoy the challenges and find it very rewarding.

What motivates or inspires you to work hard?

I am motivated to find solutions to business challenges and help early-career co-workers see the opportunities that exist.

What has been a lesson you’ve learned while working at GE? Do you have any advice for other people?

There are always solutions if you ask enough people for help and believe there is a path to success, even if you may just not know what it is yet. My advice is that you have to create your own opportunities, and then it is up to you to determine what you do with them.

What is your favorite engine and why, and could you draw a picture of it?

My favorite engine has to be the F414. I took my first new product role in 1990 and worked on the rigs and first engine that was tested. Then when I ran Lynn engine assembly in 1998, we built the first 15 production engines. In 2002 I was working F414 manufacturing programs when the first Super Hornet deployment took place on the USS Lincoln. In the past year, we shipped the 1500th engine.



What is one potentially surprising thing that people don’t know about you?

I am an avid photographer who is fascinated by the technical and artistic aspects that go into making a remarkable image.



Did you know Quick Six is a series? Read our previous features:

• Quick Six with Katie Culic, a Military advanced programs project manager in Cincinnati, Ohio.