Equipped to Innovate: How DBU Prepared Philippe Wilson to Make a Real-World Impact

Philippe Wilson, a senior at Dallas Baptist University, double majoring in Computer Science and Mathematics, is already making major strides in his professional career. Currently working part-time as a software engineer at Lockheed Martin, Philippe has been offered a full-time position with the company upon his graduation in May 2025.

What began as a summer internship evolved into an official role on Lockheed's team, where Philippe contributes to high-level projects—most notably the THAAD Missile Defense System, which has recently been utilized in Israel. Although many details of his work remain classified, Philippe describes his day-to-day responsibilities as a mix of abstract, mathematical problem-solving, collaborative teamwork, and quick-turn deliverables for clients.

"The tools we use range from cutting-edge military technology to older systems coded in languages like Fortran," he shared. "We work across disciplines with teams in engineering, finance, and management—every day is different and filled with new challenges."

Philippe credits much of his success to the preparation he received at DBU. "My classes gave me the technical foundation, but more than that, the university helped develop my discipline. DBU taught me how to meet deadlines, balance workloads, and stay committed to excellence."

One memory that captures that balancing act: rushing to finish a Biblical Interpretation essay just in time to pivot and study for a Differential Equations exam. "The workplace is surprisingly similar," he laughs. "After debugging a program, I'll suddenly need to switch gears and prep slides for a meeting starting in 30 minutes."

In addition to his technical work, Philippe was a key presenter at the Herb Robbins Symposium this past November, where he and a fellow DBU student shared insights from their Lockheed Martin experience. He also served as the math lab coordinator and was a tutor for physics during his time at DBU.

Beyond academics, Philippe cherishes simple memories—like racing chairs down the Moon Building late at night with a friend or enduring long study sessions powered by copious amounts of Mountain Dew Baja Blast. "Those little things really stuck with me," he said.

Reflecting on Philippe's journey, Dr. Dion Fleitas, Dean and Professor of Mathematics in the College of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, shared, "Philippe's accomplishments reflect how DBU prepares students for impactful careers."

As Philippe looks ahead to his future at Lockheed Martin, he offers a word of encouragement to other students: "Push yourself and do more than you think you can. You'll be surprised by where hard work alone can get you."