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“World Alumni Day”: 3 questions to Giuseppe Cataldo, 2010 alumni of the ISAE-SUPAERO general engineering course

Giuseppe Cataldo

Deputy Chief Technology Officer at NASA

Testimonial Category :

Alumni

Date :

11 Jul 2025

Testimony of Giuseppe Cataldo

2010 alumni of the ISAE-SUPAERO general engineering course

Identity card

Full name: Giuseppe Cataldo
Nationality: Italy, United States
Country of residence: United States
Position, company: Deputy Chief Technology Officer, NASA
Sector: Aerospace
Training at ISAE-SUPAERO: ISAE-SUPAERO General Engineering Diploma
Year of graduation: 2010

Can you tell us about your background?

I began my studies in aerospace engineering at the Politecnico di Milano before joining ISAE-SUPAERO as part of a double-diploma programme. In 2008 I was selected for the NASA Academy, NASA’s programme of excellence for students. I carried out research in infrared astrophysics, then returned the following year to carry out my final year project, which led to a position within the agency.

I went on to do a PhD at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in collaboration with NASA. For several years I worked on the James Webb telescope, before being appointed chief engineer for two astrophysical missions and then head of planetary protection for the last mission in the Mars Sample Return programme.

I am currently Deputy Chief Technology Officer at NASA Goddard.

Why did you decide to pursue an international career?

I learned that ISAE-SUPAERO was the best school in France and one of the best in Europe in the field of aerospace engineering. It also offered many connections with companies, which was a real advantage in terms of finding a job. What’s more, I’d never lived abroad before and I wanted to discover a new culture, learn a new language and come into contact with ways of thinking and doing things that were different from my own.

What advice would you give to someone looking for an international career?

Prepare yourself as well as possible by developing intercultural experiences and reinforcing your language skills. You’ll also be able to develop your adaptability and flexibility, essential qualities for integrating into different cultural contexts, especially in the workplace.

Take advantage of internship opportunities abroad that will allow you to explore several opportunities in your field and at the same time build an international network. This will enrich you deeply and give you unique technical and soft skills.

Giuseppe Cataldo Deputy Chief Technology Officer, NASA

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