For Dylan Matheny, engineering did not begin in a classroom. It began in the maintenance shops, inspection areas and testing facilities where he worked on complex aircraft systems as a Marine Corps aircraft engine mechanic.

Over time, Matheny found himself drawn less to the task in front of him and more to the larger questions behind it. Why does this process work this way? How could this component be repaired more efficiently? What would make this system more reliable?

Those questions followed him as he moved into leadership as a work center supervisor, where he oversaw the maintenance, inspection and testing of gas turbine starters while helping maintain the facilities and equipment needed to complete the work.

“This position allowed me the opportunity to work with engineers and engineering technicians to solve complex problems we were having on aging aircraft components and equipment,” Matheny said. “Eventually, I realized that I was pretty good at coming up with solutions that worked.”

That realization helped push him toward his next step: earning an engineering degree through NC State’s Havelock Engineering program.

A Path Built on Service, Discipline and Technical Curiosity

Matheny, who graduated in May 2026 with a degree in mechanical and aerospace engineering, brought years of hands-on technical experience into the program. Before serving in the Marine Corps, he took automotive technology classes in high school, building an early foundation in mechanical systems.

His military service expanded that foundation in a demanding environment, where flight schedules, production goals and aging aircraft components required focus, discipline and problem-solving under pressure.

“My time in the Marine Corps developed my sense of pride in my work, instilled discipline, and trained me to know that when I felt like I had maximized my performance, if I pushed a little more, I could do better,” Matheny said. “These things, along with leadership skills and knowing what it means to be part of a team, went a long way.”

His work also gave him a clear view of the role engineers play in aviation maintenance. As he collaborated with engineers and engineering technicians, Matheny began to see engineering as a way to gain the technical authority needed to create lasting improvements in the community he had served.

“The next step towards having the technical authority to make positive changes in the community that I had become a part of was to become an engineer,” he said.

Staying Rooted While Moving Forward

NC State’s Havelock Engineering program gave Matheny a way to pursue that goal without uprooting his family or leaving the community where he had built his career.

“The Havelock Engineering program enabled me to pursue my goal of becoming an engineer without leaving the community that I’ve become a part of,” Matheny said. “Financial and social stability for my wife and two kids were maintained, and I was able to keep living at home for not only school, but the internships on base that I worked as well.”

The program’s structure also matched the leadership environment Matheny knew from the Marine Corps. Smaller class sizes and direct access to faculty created a learning experience that felt personal, accountable and team-oriented.

“The small class sizes and access to faculty members were also great for me because they modeled the ‘small-unit leadership’ style of operation that I became accustomed to in the Marine Corps,” he said.

For Matheny, that environment helped bridge the transition from military service to higher education. He was able to bring the discipline, teamwork and technical perspective he developed in the Marine Corps into a rigorous engineering program, while continuing to stay connected to the people and work that motivated him.

Leading by Serving Others

Matheny’s path through NC State has also included opportunities to support other students and future engineers. As a program ambassador and SMART scholar, he has spoken with prospective students and supported STEM education efforts, using his own story to help others see what is possible.

He traces that mindset to advice he once received from a Sergeant Major.

“If you’re the smartest person in the room, you’re probably in the wrong room,” Matheny said. “This message, taken with a grain of salt, means that we should strive to surround ourselves with people who have traits we’d like to emulate.”

For Matheny, leadership means continuing to learn while also investing in those around him.

“As a leader, it’s equally important to serve and inspire those around us,” he said.

That belief has shaped how he approaches both engineering and mentorship. His experience has taught him that technical work depends on strong communication, shared trust and respect for the people closest to the work.

Returning to the Work He Loves

After graduation, Matheny will continue his career at Fleet Readiness Center East, where he will work as a mechanical engineer on the F-35 Lift System team. In that role, he will help establish capability and support maintenance operations.

For Matheny, the opportunity represents both a new chapter and a return to the work that first inspired him.

“Generally speaking, I’m excited to get back to work, doing what I love,” he said. “I’m looking forward to fostering great relationships between engineers and artisans. Communication is critical to success.”

He also hopes to carry forward lessons from his experience with the AV-8B Harrier program and apply them to new technical challenges.

“I hope to bring as much of my experience from the AV-8B Harrier program as I can and apply old lessons learned to new problems,” he said.

From the Marine Corps to NC State Engineering, Matheny’s path reflects the value of experience, persistence and community-based opportunity. Through the Havelock Engineering program, he was able to build on years of service and technical expertise while staying rooted in the place where his next career will continue.

His goal is clear: use engineering to solve problems, strengthen communication between teams and support the aviation community that helped shape his path.