Helping you keep pace in industries moving at the speed of light

Debra Facktor, Head of U.S. Space Systems at Airbus

“You can have the best idea ever and a not so good team — it’s not going to work. You have a great team and maybe an okay idea and it can be fantastic. Great teams can elevate mediocre ideas. And they can also creatively figure out a way around the obstacles — the real obstacles and the perceived obstacles — the obstacles that they put in their head. They’re really not obstacles at all. They’re just made up.” – Debra Facktor

What makes a space company win? According to Debra Facktor, it’s not just engineering — it’s the people.

As Head of U.S. Space Systems at Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc., Debra has led the organization through one of its boldest pivots to date — from a missed contract opportunity to becoming a key player in the SDA’s Tranche 1 and 2 programs. But as she reveals in this conversation, the real transformation wasn’t just technical. It was cultural.

In this episode, Debra explains how Airbus U.S. scaled up operations, developed a new satellite bus, and embraced speed — all while putting people first. From hiring for entrepreneurial mindsets to building a mission-driven workforce, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, resilience, and the human side of defense innovation.

💡 What You’ll Learn:

  • How Airbus U.S. bounced back from a missed bid to win major SDA contracts
  • Why culture and trust are more critical than process in high-speed programs
  • The qualities Debra looks for when hiring engineers, leaders, and innovators
  • How Airbus U.S. bridges startup agility with big-industry resources
  • The hidden link between internal culture and external contract wins

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