What if early in your career you had the chance to explore different roles, try new locations, and learn through real experience? That kind of exploration is built into Textron’s Leadership Development Program, or LDP. Chris A., mechanical engineer at Textron Specialized Vehicles, participated in the program and saw what was possible for his career.

LDP has been a key part of how we have grown early-career talent across our businesses. It’s a two-year rotational program where participants get hands-on experience at two different Textron business units. Along the way, they build real-world skills, grow their professional network, and explore where they want to take their careers.

Alumni have built their careers across our businesses in engineering, operations, human resources, finance, and more. Many have gone on to lead teams, drive innovation, and help shape the future of Textron.

Chris is one of them. His two rotations helped him build confidence, strengthen his technical skills, and choose a path that fits both his goals and life outside of work.

LEARNING HOW TO WORK ON NEW CHALLENGES

Chris began his first rotation in Kansas at Textron Aviation, supporting the Beechcraft Denali program. It was the first time he saw how many people and conversations shaped a single aircraft. “I got a deeper understanding of how much organizing and communication goes into a large project,” he said.

His second rotation took him to Pennsylvania as a test engineer at Lycoming Engines. The work was more technical and taught him how to manage timelines, plan testing and solve challenges as they came up. “I applied what I learned about communication and planning, and it made me a more valuable asset,” he said.

When it was time to choose a full-time role, Chris returned to Textron Specialized Vehicles, where he had previously interned. It felt right professionally and personally. “My mentors taught me that work satisfaction is important, but home satisfaction is vital too,” he said. Being closer to family in central Georgia made the decision easier, and Augusta felt like the place he belonged.

BUILDING A COMMUNITY THAT STAYS WITH YOU

As Chris rotated through different business units, he met people with a wide range of backgrounds and experiences.

“One of the best parts of LDP was the community I built along the way,” he said. “You get to hear multiple perspectives. It gives you a full scope of what to expect.”

During his first rotation, Chris and a few other LDP participants started a band. They played two basement concerts, and even though they don’t play anymore, the friendships have stuck.

“We still talk, trade advice, and help each other when we need it.”

The program creates moments for participants to connect. LDP participants go through orientation, functional training, and graduation together. They meet regularly with their function and their LDP class, with four meetings built into the experience. It helps them stay connected, even when they’re working at different business units.

WHY THE PROGRAM ENDED UP BEING THE RIGHT FIT

Looking back, Chris sees why LDP worked for him. The program gave him space to try different roles before choosing a path. Instead of guessing what kind of engineering role he wanted after college, he could experience two very different environments.

After each rotation, he got a better idea of what kind of work he liked most, the pace he preferred, and the problems he enjoyed solving.

Chris developed skills that came from having to adjust quickly. “Working in two different positions taught me how to communicate what is actually important,” he said. Moving between teams and business units pushed him to adapt, ask better questions, and learn how different groups approach engineering problems.

By the time he finished the program, he had a clearer sense of what he wanted in his work and in his life outside of it.