Q&A with Alana Huitric, HITL Engineer

Meet Alana Huitric, HITL Engineer here at Apex!

Alana holds a Bachelor of Engineering with a focus in Computing from the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering in Massachusetts. Alana brings experience from Boeing, Mathworks, and most recently ABL, where they supported hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) and data analysis automation for the Avionics Software and GNC teams.

As a HITL Engineer, Alana is part of the team that develops a flight-representative closed-loop hardware platform to rigorously test the interaction between hardware and software well before a satellite ever reaches orbit. By running a multitude of tests on the ground, the HITL team reduces on-orbit software risk and ensures that the entire satellite platform is operating smoothly prior to launch.

Learn more about Alana below:

Q: What excites you the most about working at a company like Apex?

What excites me most about Apex is how new and fast-moving the company is, with a clear and tangible mission. It’s a rare opportunity, especially in aerospace, to work across many parts of a product and see the impact of your work almost immediately.

Q: Why are you excited about space?

I’ve been drawn to space for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I was constantly engaging with both fictional and non-fictional media centered around space and engineering, and it has always stood out to me as one of the most exciting and inspiring fields to learn about.

Q: What’s something you learned in your most recent role that you’re bringing to Apex?

In my most recent role at ABL, I learned how to quickly adapt to new hardware and software environments while collaborating closely with other teams to keep projects moving forward. I developed a broad understanding of physical systems, software, and testing, and gained experience working at the intersection of all three, an approach that directly carries over to my work at Apex.

Q: How do you see the role of HITL Engineer at Apex, and how is it supporting the mass-manufacturing of Apex’s satellite platforms?

I see the HITL Engineer role at Apex as a critical part of our testing and development infrastructure. While open-loop hardware systems like a flat sat are valuable, HITL closes the loop on flight software and GNC, ensuring our hardware and software function together as intended. Since issues oftentimes surface during integration, HITL plays an essential role in catching anomalies early and supporting scalable, reliable manufacturing.

Q: What has surprised or impressed you the most so far during your time at Apex?

I’ve been most impressed by the drive of the team and how efficiently we work together to meet our goals. The ability to stay lightweight and focused while still moving quickly has been remarkable.

Q: Tell us a bit about what you do in your free time.

Outside of work, I enjoy taking care of my pets (cats, fish, gecko, and invertebrates) and plants, painting or drawing, and playing video games.