ASEC Employee Spotlight: Bubber Johnson, Communications Engineer

At ASEC, we strive to foster a work environment that nurtures professional growth and collaboration.

That environment is possible thanks to both our dedicated managers and our driven staff. Today, we’re thrilled to share the career journey of one of our esteemed team members— Bubber Johnson, a Communications Engineer at ASEC.

Bubber shared insights into his role as a Communications Engineer, where he helps ensure that government projects are developed to the highest standards. Drawing upon his experience as a submariner with 10+ years in the Navy, Bubber highlights the personal connection he feels to the work, emphasizing how his role contributes to supporting the Warfighter.

He also provides a firsthand account of the hiring process, underscoring the role that the opportunity at ASEC played in his seamless transition from active duty to civilian life. Without any further ado, here’s our latest ASEC Employee Spotlight!

What is your role at ASEC, and what kind of work does that involve?

I’m a Communications Engineer. When the government is developing a product, my role is to assist the government in making sure that the vendor who is developing that product is developing it to the best of their ability, and that it best meets the government customer’s needs.

This connects with my own experience as a submariner. I used a lot of the equipment that’s being developed. Now I get to use my expertise to make sure that it’s up to standards and that it’s what’s best for the Warfighter.

Had you heard of ASEC from your time with the Navy? Did you have any connections with the company beforehand?

I hadn’t heard of ASEC until they reached out to me via LinkedIn. 

How did the hiring process go?

I kept my LinkedIn profile up to date and my soon-to-be Supervisor Amy Egeli

messaged me. She noticed that the work experience that I had on LinkedIn matched perfectly with the job description that they had an opening for.

She reached out to me on LinkedIn and I responded to her that same day. She called me and we spoke on the phone for probably 15 minutes. She gave a brief overview of the position and the area, because even though I’m from Maryland, I’d never been to the Patuxent River, MD area.

She also gave me a description of the area and the schools, based on the things that I told her were important to me.

Then over the next four months, as I was transitioning out of active duty with the Navy, I was

evaluating different job offers. What drew me to ASEC really was the communication with Amy and then the communication with Stephanie from Talent Acquisition. I could tell by my conversations with them that their values were in line with mine.

How do you see the working environment at ASEC now that you’ve been a part of it for over a year?  

I came here and it was 10 times better than what I envisioned because it wasn’t just Amy and

Stephanie. It was everybody.

The top people at this company, who you’ll see on a daily basis, treat you with so much respect;  it feels really genuine.

I love it here.

What motivates you about that kind of work that ASEC is involved with, given your background and your experience?

I was a submariner, and the work that I do doesn’t directly support the submarine force, but it does support the mission that submarines are involved with. I was already invested in this when I was in the Navy and then now as a civilian, I’m on the other side of it, but still equally as

Invested.  

Now I’m on the side where I get to design and make changes to the future iterations of those

pieces of equipment. I’m making changes that are going to make the quality of life easier

for those sailors to do their jobs.

Now being a civilian, what are your aspirations for your career and how do you see ASEC playing a role in that growth?

I have a new supervisor, too, but both of them are really big on communicating with us, the employees, and asking us what our goals are and where we see ourselves going in the future. 

I’ve sat down with Amy and she’s talked to me about goals that I might have that

might not even pertain to ASEC, just from person to person.

That makes me feel like she’s invested in me as a person in general, which is very comforting. It’s really nice to have somebody like that in your corner.

Right now I currently have a bachelor’s degree. My goal is to get either a second bachelor’s degree in some type of engineering, maybe aerospace engineering, or a master’s degree

in systems engineering. ASEC does have a tuition assistance program.

For now, I’m still getting settled into this position workwise and so I haven’t started classes

yet, but that’s the next step. I’ve had multiple conversations with my supervisors about that and they support it wholeheartedly.

What sort of challenges do engineers get to work on through your job? What kinds of engineers do you think would do well at ASEC?

It’s true that ASEC isn’t only looking for teammates with a military background. Specifically, we’re looking for individuals with a strong engineering foundation who can effectively analyze complex engineering drawings and design proposals. A key aspect of the job involves analyzing the presented data to ensure its coherence and accuracy.

For instance, when a vendor submits an engineering design to the government, one of the challenges our engineers face is critically evaluating the proposal. This evaluation entails assessing whether the numbers provided align with sound analytical principles. 

Having an understanding of aerospace physics and a solid grasp of numerical concepts is crucial in deciphering the validity and feasibility of the proposed designs.

We are looking for individuals who can bring their analytical prowess to the table, ensuring that the engineering solutions we consider not only meet the technical specifications but also stand up to rigorous scrutiny. 

This demands a unique skill set, and we believe individuals with a strong engineering background are well-equipped to navigate and excel in these challenges.

Why would you recommend someone else who’s in a similar position to you career-wise to consider working at ASEC?

The quality of life is great. The number one is quality of work-life balance. 

If you were in the military, you’re transitioning into a job that is comfortable because you’re going to be able to use the skill set that you learned while you were active duty.

The company is also employee-owned, which helps because you know you’re personally invested. You know the day-to-day work that you’re doing comes back to you because you’re literally part owner in the company!

Finally, I’ll just say this is the best job I ever had, and I’ve had a lot of them. My wife is happy. I’m happy, and the kids are happy. What more could I ask for?

Join The ASEC Team

If you are seeking a career where your skills are valued, personal growth is fostered, and you can contribute to impactful projects, consider exploring a career at ASEC. 
Join us in shaping a future where your professional ambitions align with a company dedicated to excellence and innovation. Do you have what it takes? Head here to see our current job openings.