Celebrating Steve Smith: 40 Years in Composites

MORGAN HILL, CA, January 7, 2025 –As Steve Smith reaches this incredible milestone, it’s clear that his impact on the industry and Toray Advanced Composites is profound. His career is not just a testament to his skill and hard work, but also to the relationships he has built and the people he has inspired along the way. In honoring Steve Smith’s 40 years in the composites industry, we are filled with deepest gratitude. In this exclusive interview, Steve Smith reflects on his journey and shares insights from years of experience. 

Thank you, Steve Smith, for your extraordinary contributions, your leadership, and your unwavering commitment. Here’s to many more years of success and inspiration!

 

Q1: Reflecting on your journey here, what are some significant milestones or projects you've been a part of that you're particularly proud of?

Steve:  There are a lot of projects that I am very proud of, such as an America Cup-winning yacht, the Chandra telescope, the New Horizons Pluto flyby, the Kepler planet finder, and the Messenger (Mercury) mission. Since 2018, I have been mostly a key role player at TenCate, now Toray, for many major projects. At one time, I was the initial NASA JPL contact, and some information sources came to me that led to Toray’s role in the design of the Mars Ingenuity helicopter launched in 2020. Today, we’re in the 11^th hour of replacing a three-decade heritage material for a major US defense platform. It’s a significant project that I am very proud to be a part of.

 

Q2: How have you seen the engineering landscape change over the past four decades, and how has Toray Advanced Composites adapted to those changes?

Steve:  The most significant change I have seen, both in general and at Toray Advanced Composites, is the influx of material engineering graduates. Ten years ago, we mostly hired chemical and mechanical engineers out of college, with materials majors being rare. Today, the entry-level engineering hires coming in post-graduation are much more knowledgeable of composites than ever before. In the past, many didn't know what composites were or, if they did, knew very little about them. Universities are preparing all engineering graduates in this regard at a much deeper level than just a few years ago. Now, most universities have this major, and many graduates are joining the workforce, including at Toray Advanced Composites. The next generation is in good hands!

 

Q3: What advice would you give to younger engineers just starting their careers in our industry?

Steve:  Don't be afraid to think outside the box and fail. Try to learn as much as you can from the lessons of the past. This typically, but not exclusively, applies to problem-solving. One example would be the application of partially impregnated UD for satellite reflectors using vacuum bag-only (OoA/VBO) processing.

 

Q4: How has mentorship played a role in your career development, and have you had the opportunity to mentor others within the company?

Steve: My mentors over the years were critical to my development in composites, and since then, I have dedicated substantial time to passing along what I know to others. I have overseen several past interns who caught on at Toray and succeeded in primary and leadership roles outside of Toray, including key positions at Lawrence Livermore National Labs, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and General Motors, to name a few. I take great pride in mentoring and continue to do it daily, both with our engineers, as well as others within the organization, and even our customers, too.

 

Q5: How do you maintain a sense of passion and enthusiasm for your work after forty years in composites? 

Steve:  I am primarily driven by success and the satisfaction that comes from a job well done. Being part of a team that is appreciated by our customers, both internal and external, helps fuel my passion. While I have good days and not-so-good days, I love what I do and the people I get to do it with.

 

Q6: How has the company culture evolved since you first started, and what aspects of it do you find most rewarding?

Steve:  First and foremost is the emphasis on safety. I tell people both inside and outside Toray Advanced Composites that “Anzen Koh-Doh” (“Think Possible Consequences”) has positively changed my daily way of life. To say it has increased by an order of magnitude would be an understatement. Back in the day, results and experience were often the main focus. While those are still important, safety, quality, and procedural compliance are rightly emphasized above the results. Another thing that makes Toray Advanced Composites different than at any time in the past is that it is a multi-site and multi-cultural reality. On any given day, I interact with other divisions and other countries. I have found that, by and large, people within Toray are very engaging, helpful, and supportive. I very much appreciate this part of the Toray culture.

 

Q7: What keeps you motivated to continue contributing your expertise and knowledge to the company year after year?

Steve:  Results, and happy and appreciative customers. No matter the role in the organization, I believe we are all here to serve our customers, both internally and externally. Being a small part of a very large team has both its challenges and rewards; the challenges are often like moving a freight train--difficult and slow to get going, but the rewards are fulfilling once you see an entire company focused on the goal.

 

Q8: Reflecting on your career journey, what would you say has been the most valuable lesson you've learned?

Steve:  Do not get too caught up in the moment or the problem at hand. The sun will still rise in the morning, and often, a solution that was not apparent today will present itself tomorrow. As one of my early mentors used to tell me, “Relax. Five years from now, this will not be of such great importance.”

 

Q9. Lastly, what does reaching this milestone of forty years with composites mean to you personally, and how do you plan to celebrate it?

Steve:  I am reminded of a Grateful Dead line from a song: "What a long, strange trip it's been." I can look back with wonder and pride and look forward with enthusiasm and determination. As for celebrating, I try to celebrate with little things like a trip with the family or a hike with my dog. 2025 will be a fantastic year,  I intend to keep the celebration alive!

  

Be a part of the Toray Legacy of Innovation

As we honor Steve Smith for 40 years of commitment, innovation, and growth, it’s clear that Toray is more than it seems—it’s a place where careers are nurtured and ideas thrive. People contribute to pioneering advancements in composites with passion, dedication, and innovation. With a collaborative environment, ongoing opportunities for development, and a focus on teamwork, Toray Advanced Composites remains at the forefront of the industry.

If you are seeking a place to grow, contribute, and be part of cutting-edge solutions, join the Toray team and shape the world. Visit our website to explore available opportunities and learn more about Toray Advanced Composites.