Faculty Spotlight: Jim Paradise
Meet James (Jim) Paradise, a systems engineering adjunct professor at the Ritchie School of Engineering and Computer Science (Ritchie School). He has been part of the engineering program since its inception about 20 years ago. With 38 years of experience in the space industry at Lockheed Martin Space (LM), he brings decades of real-world insight and technical systems engineering expertise to the classroom.
Growing up as a farm kid in Nebraska, Paradise dreamed of working in space exploration. Through his dedication and higher education, he turned that dream into a long and impactful career. To give back to the community for his successes, he became a NASA Solar System Ambassador 20 years ago, offering career and space exploration talks to schools, museums, libraries, scout troops, and Rotary and Optimist clubs. In 2016, he received the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Volunteerism.
Paradise’s career reflects his commitment to continuous learning. He began as a Chemist for Iowa Beef Processors in Nebraska. In 1980, he moved to Denver and joined Lockheed Martin Space, where he worked on the Space Shuttle and Peacekeeper missile programs.
Throughout his 38 years at LM, he continued to learn and grow. With the help of LM Space’s Education Assistance program, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Colorado and later a Master of Science in Mechatronics Systems Engineering from the University of Denver. As his education progressed, he advanced in his career from inspector to test inspector, then to Quality Engineer, and finally to Technical Trainer.
Once he got his master’s degree, he advanced to the role of Engineering Manager, where he led engineering training and graduate studies for LM Space’s 8,000 engineers. In that role, he collaborated with the Ritchie School to begin the systems engineering graduate program. He later transitioned into engineering staffing, overseeing the hiring of engineering interns and new college graduates. Additionally, he taught Atlas and Titan Launch Vehicle courses to LM Space clients such as NASA, Air Force, Navy, Army, as well as to LM Space personnels. He also taught at Vandenberg Air Force Base, and at Cape Canaveral in Florida. He later led LM Space’s pilot program to develop and deploy eLearning courses across the company.
Continuing his academic journey, he returned to school as a PhD candidate in Interdisciplinary Engineering. He became Program Manager for the Engineering Development Program (ELP), identifying high-potential early career employees for future leadership roles. In his later years at LM Space, he focused on engineering staffing, leadership development, graduate studies management, and engineering outreach. In 2000, he began teaching in the MS in Systems Engineering program at the Ritchie School. After retiring from LM Space in 2020, he moved to Florida, where he continues to be active in engineering outreach in both Florida and Denver.
Learn from passionate industry experts like Jim Paradise. Get a certificate or MS in Systems Engineering at the Ritchie School. Apply today and enroll in one of our certificates or master's degree in systems engineering.
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