SheTech Interns Interview Misty Dawson

Salt Lake City, Utah, February 19, 2025

Recently, SheTech Media interns Shae Stephenson and Haylee Heiner interviewed Misty Dawson about her career as an aerospace and technology product and engineering leader. A Women Tech Council Award finalist, Dawson has worked with Sarcos Robotics, Collins Aerospace, and Rockwell Collins. She is now the Founder of The Jupiter Group. We met with her in the historic Union Pacific Depot building in downtown Salt Lake City for an insightful conversation about her journey.

Dawson’s interest in engineering sparked in high school when her math teacher suggested she explore the field. Attending an engineering day at Texas A&M University, she was drawn to mechanical engineering for its versatility. "It seemed broad and adaptable, so I thought, well, that sounds fun," Dawson recalled. She went on to earn a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M in 1998 and later obtained an MBA from Arizona State University in 2007.

Her career spans various leadership roles, including Mechanical Engineer at Evans & Sutherland (1999-2005), Program Manager at Parvus Corporation (2006), and multiple senior positions at Rockwell Collins and Collins Aerospace from 2006 to 2022. Most recently, she served as Vice President of Strategy & Product Management at Sarcos Technology & Robotics Corporation (2023-2024) before founding The Jupiter Group, where she provides executive consulting in leadership, strategy development, coaching, and M&A support.

Dawson’s resilience was shaped by personal challenges, particularly the loss of her father to cancer. "It made a big impression on me," she shared. "I wanted a career that ensured financial independence for myself and my family."

She now serves as an independent consultant and founder of The Jupiter Group, an executive consulting firm specializing in leadership, strategy development, coaching, and M&A support.

When interviewing Dawson, our conversation had an overall theme: advice for those wanting a successful STEM-related career. She addressed topics such as embracing the unknown, the importance of trust and leadership, and embracing failure.

One aspect of engineering that was the hardest for Dawson to grasp was that there were no "right" answers. "You just have to get started and try something to see if it's successful and then be able to move on quickly if you fail. Many problems and challenges engineers are asked to solve don't have a singular solution. If they haven't been solved, they're a tough problem. Letting go of this idea of perfection has been a challenge over time, but it's always like, well, let's just get started and see what we can accomplish, and hopefully, it's in the right direction of success."

One of Dawson’s most exciting projects early in her career was serving as the mechanical lead on a flight simulator for military fast jets in the UK. Dawson expressed that this was one of her favorite projects. She explained, "I had the opportunity to travel and interview pilots. I got to visit military bases, see the actual aircraft and refine simulator designs that enhance pilot training. Flight simulators help pilots master the ins and outs of their aircraft, so if something bad happens, they know how to respond. It was cool because you are not only helping the military learn how to fly, but you're also keeping the civilian population safe. What we created helps them avoid those dangerous situations, not just for themselves or the aircraft, but also the civilian populations flying above."

Leadership was another crucial lesson in Dawson’s journey. She recounted a high-pressure project where she had to balance military deadlines with her team’s well-being. "As a leader, I had to understand my team’s goals and support them in achieving success—even if it didn’t always align perfectly with the business objectives at the time. A strong team reaches its full potential when they feel supported."

In her current position, she is building on previous business lessons learned early in her career. "Right now, I get to try and find where my skills and experience can help someone become the most successful. How can I consult? How can I help a team, a company, or a business solve a problem they may be struggling with?" 

When asked about handling failure, Dawson offered practical advice. "Failure isn’t a bad thing. If you have too much on your plate and things start to slip, that’s a learning opportunity. It forces you to prioritize what truly matters, rather than what others expect of you. Sometimes perfection is not the right answer."

For young women considering STEM careers, Dawson’s advice was simple: "Just go for it. A STEM degree gives you flexibility and opens countless doors. Women bring valuable perspectives to technology and engineering. I’d love to see how more female influence could shape the design and development of our world. It would be incredible to witness that shift in our lifetime."

Dawson’s insights left us inspired, reinforcing the importance of resilience, leadership, and the willingness to embrace challenges. Her story is a testament to the impact of perseverance and passion in STEM careers.

Haylee Heiner and Shae Stephenson are both SheTech Media Interns for 2024-2025. The SheTech Media Internship, provided through TechBuzz News, gives Haylee and Shae networking opportunities and journalism experience. Their articles are published on TechBuzz News, Silicon Slopes, and in other media channels. Haylee and Shae have the opportunity to meet and communicate about Women Tech Awards finalists and their technological contributions.

Don't miss SheTech Explorer Day on February 25, 2025 at the Mountain America Expo Center in Sandy, Utah.