Janne Ackerman
Senior Manager
Raytheon Electronic Systems
Janne Ackerman joined the defense group of Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) in 1978 as a software quality assurance engineer. She was responsible for the software product quality and process on multiple radar and missile programs. Ackerman moved to software engineering in 1984 as the lead software engineer for a radar program. She progressed to software manager and software systems engineer on numerous radar and infrared sensor programs. Her expertise includes real-time software systems engineering, software development and process, and engineering management. For her technical contributions, Ackerman was elected a Member, Group Technical Staff (MGTS) in 1990 and a Senior Member of the Technical Staff (SMTS) in 1998. These peer-elected TI Technical Ladder designations are limited to the top 22% and 7% of the engineering population, respectively. Ackerman finished her career at TI as the technical manager for a 50-person software group developing real-time embedded software for fire control infrared sensors.
Ackerman joined Raytheon in 1997 as part of the sale of TI's Defense Systems and Electronics Group. She is currently the engineering manager for the Surface Combat Department, the leading supplier of infrared systems to the American soldier. Her responsibilities include the engineering design and career development of over 200 engineers and technicians located in Texas and California. Ackerman is also actively involved in Raytheon's Diversity Initiative and is the People Strategy star point for engineering in the North Texas region.
Ackerman received her BS in Mathematics from the University of Oklahoma in 1977 and her MS in Software Engineering from Southern Methodist University in 1999. She is an alumnus of Leadership America. Ackerman also earned her private pilot's license in 1988 through the Texins Flying Club and has served as the Treasurer and VP/Membership for the club. She and her husband, Garry, formed the North Texas Flying Club in May 1999 and have guided its growth to over 100 pilots. The Ackermans have two daughters, a menagerie, and airplanes. Away from the office, Ackerman enjoys spending time with her family, reading, flying, and the outdoors.
Janne Ackerman answers these questions:
1. What was your first job in technology?
2. Who has been your most significant mentor? Why?
3. What has been your greatest challenge and what strategies
did you use to overcome obstacles?
4. Who has been the most influential person in your life?
Why?
5. What lessons have you learned that would be valuable to
women beginning their careers in technology?
6. What new technology do you believe will have the most positive
impact on the world in the next 20 years? The most negative impact?
On the lighter side:
1. If you could have dinner with any 2 people (living or not),
who would they be?
2. What was the last book you read? What books do you love to recommend?
3. If you couldn't do what you are doing now, what profession would you choose?
4. What is your definition of success?
