Aidan Lethaby earned his Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science in 2022 and has quickly distinguished himself as one of our impressive alumni. With his passion for hands-on innovation, Aidan immersed himself in research- merging computing, biomedical engineering, and rehabilitation science- to develop intuitive, low-cost assistive devices as an undergrad. As an embedded software engineer, he now applies his expertise at the industry leader Sierra Space, where he develops flight-critical systems that push the boundaries of avionics and commercial spaceflight.
Aidan credits his learning experiences at the University of Utah as a catalyst for his career and life journey. His coursework in embedded systems sparked a lasting interest. Being part of the Honors College honed Aidan’s ability to tackle complex, interdisciplinary challenges. He thrived on small seminar discussions, independent study projects, and the mentorship culture that encouraged him to ask deeper questions and pursue research beyond the classroom.
In the summer of 2021, Aidan joined the Space Dynamics Laboratory as a Flight Software Intern. There, he wrote and tested embedded software to control satellite subsystems and airborne sensors- validating code in simulation and on hardware destined for extreme environments.
In the Neurorobotics Lab, Aidan contributed to the development of the Luke bionic prosthetic arm. He wrote embedded control code, tested sensor integrations, and collaborated with biomechanical engineers to improve real-time responsiveness—work that helped bring advanced mobility solutions one step closer to users. Aidan takes great pride in the thesis he produced from his research—a milestone that marked both a personal and professional achievement. Crafting a substantial, technically rigorous paper gave him a deep sense of fulfillment as an engineer, and it became a standout credential on his resume that set him apart in competitive aerospace roles.
As a College of Engineering Ambassador, Aidan represented the university at recruiting events, led campus tours, and mentored prospective students. He leveraged his own story to inspire others, demonstrating how curiosity and grit can turn ambitious ideas into tangible technologies.
Aidan feels that recognizing the courses he enjoyed, along with his real-world experiences as an intern and in his research, helped him identify career paths that aligned with his strengths and passions.
After graduation, Aidan joined Garmin in Phoenix, Arizona, as an Embedded Software Engineer on the Aviation team. He now works in Denver, Colorado at Sierra Space. Since 2023, he’s been developing real-time avionics software, ensuring flight displays and navigation databases meet stringent safety and performance requirements. His contributions help pilots around the world access critical aeronautical data with millisecond reliability.
In his free time, Aidan enjoys exploring the outdoors. As a student at the U, he enjoyed skiing, rock climbing, biking, and hiking. Aidan also grew to love the Rocky Mountains. This love played into his decision to accept his job at Sierra Space in Denver so he can be close to the mountains and enjoy a work-life balance that fuels both his career and personal passions.
Aidan’s advice to Honors students today is to make an effort to get to know your professors and classmates. “The Honors College makes it easy to make friends. Lean into it. Appreciate it.” He says that college is a time to explore and try new experiences. Take advantage of the diversity of courses in the Honors College and at the U.
Looking ahead, Aidan is excited to continue his career, knowing that his work will be seen launching into space. He also hopes to give back by mentoring the next generation of Honors College innovators- helping them navigate the same journey he once took.