Rising Stars: Meet Nelly Mullen of Denver

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nelly Mullen.

Hi Nelly, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My passion for space from a young age led me to graduate from Colorado School of Mines with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Igniting my love for problem solving and academics, I then pursued a Masters degree from Newcastle University in Digital Business. Although my career lies in Aerospace Engineering, my passions lie in fashion, art and all things creative!!

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
There has been many struggles leading me to the point in my life I am at today. The biggest struggle I’ve faced is imposter syndrome and being my worst critic. Its taken a lot of mental work to build the confidence I have today!!

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a Systems Engineer working on the Orion program for Lockheed Martin! I am proud to be a part of sending people back to the moon!

I am a Systems Engineer at Lockheed Martin, currently working on the Orion program, which is part of NASA’s Artemis missions aimed at returning humans to the moon. My role involves ensuring that the spacecraft systems are designed, integrated, and tested to meet the rigorous demands of space exploration. It’s incredibly rewarding to contribute to a project that will not only advance our understanding of space but also pave the way for future exploration, including Mars. Being part of a mission that aims to push the boundaries of human exploration is both exciting and humbling, and I’m proud to play a role in this historic endeavor.

How do you define success?
To me, success is achieved by those not afraid to fail.

I define success as the result of perseverance, resilience, and a willingness to embrace failure as part of the journey. To me, success isn’t just about achieving a specific goal; it’s about pushing beyond your comfort zone, learning from setbacks, and continuously striving for improvement. Those who are not afraid to fail are the ones who dare to take risks, innovate, and grow, both personally and professionally. Success, in my view, is measured by the courage to face challenges head-on, the lessons learned along the way, and the determination to keep moving forward, regardless of the obstacles.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: nothin.but.nelly