Linda McCabe
What attracted you to a career here?
Even though I do not have a technical degree (I have a master’s degree in security studies), I was drawn to the Lab’s research and its potential impact. I made the jump because I was so impressed by the dedication and quality of the staff, from the administrative assistants to the leadership, and liked the culture of continual learning and curiosity.
How has your career at the Laboratory evolved?
If anyone had told me when I joined the Lab in 2005 that I would eventually be running flight tests, I would have laughed at them. I started out doing operator-in-the-loop experiments using the flight simulators at Boeing. My team was able to show the measurable tactical impact of a slow versus fast tactical network. I also worked on many programs to help make simulated scenarios more realistic and tell a more compelling tactical story.
Now, I play a part in testing for some of our most impactful programs. I have gone to Alaska a dozen times for test planning for the Northern Edge joint training exercise. I love being at the nexus of taking something that works in the lab and getting it all the way to demonstration. I work with teams across the Lab, including with our Engineering Division, Flight Test Facility, and Security Services Department. And I work with external stakeholders and explain how what we are doing supports future concepts and visions. I take the insights from those interactions back to our internal teams so they can define tests that will have the most impact, in addition to making sure they get the engineering-level data they need to make progress.
Are you involved in any Laboratory community activities?
I was involved as both a participant and facilitator in study groups for REEAcT [Research. Educate. Empathize. Act. Transform], an ongoing Diversity and Inclusion Office initiative focused on combatting racism and other systemic diversity, equity, and inclusion topics. I participated in every session offered and learned so much from the books we read and discussed during the sessions. I especially appreciated the discussions we had around Invisible Women by Caroline Criado Perez. The book focuses on how data bias has far-reaching outcomes, and the discussions were lively to say the least!
Which accomplishment are you most proud of?
A tactical communication technology that I supported through test is being transitioned to the Joint Force. I am beyond proud to have been on the team and to share a small part of the credit for getting it over the line!
Where are you from?
I am a Washington, DC, native, and have worked from here my entire Lab career, initially from the Crystal City office and then remotely from home since the COVID-19 pandemic.
What activities do you enjoy in your spare time?
My husband and I kayak from as early as we can reasonably get out on the water in the spring to as late as we can manage to stay out in the late fall. Kayaking is a great workout, we get to spend time together, and we enjoy being immersed in nature. In fact, we rate our outings by the number of turtles we see — our record high was 44! — and whether we fill out our mental bingo cards of all the creatures we usually see.