Xiaoyi Li: Leading NASA’s Instrument Systems Engineering with Precision and Passion
Name: Xiaoyi Li
Title: Instrument Systems Engineer (ISE) for Venus Atmospheric Structure Investigation (VASI) as part of the Deep Atmosphere Venus Investigation of Noble gases, Chemistry, and Imaging (DAVINCI) mission; Deputy ISE for the Comprehensive Auroral Precipitation Experiment (CAPE) instrument for the Geospace Dynamics Constellation (GDC) mission
Formal Job Classification: Instrument Systems Engineer
Organization: Instrument/Payload Systems Engineering Branch, Engineering Directorate (Code 592)
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A Dual Role at NASA: Merging Talent and Technology
Xiaoyi Li plays a pivotal role at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. She leads and collaborates with technical teams to achieve the goals of two significant missions. As the Instrument Systems Engineer for VASI, she is at the forefront of developing a sensor suite for NASA’s DAVINCI mission to Venus. Additionally, as the Deputy Instrument Systems Engineer for CAPE, she assists in creating the CAPE instrument for the Geospace Dynamics Constellation mission, which aims to study space weather.
An Engineering Odyssey: Educational and Professional Journey
Xiaoyi Li’s journey in engineering is deeply rooted in her family background. Raised in an engineering family, she watched her mother, a chemical engineer, and her father, an architect and structural engineer, build large factories. This early exposure to engineering disciplines shaped her career path.
Li’s academic journey began in Shanghai, China, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Tongji University. She then pursued a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of New South Wales in Australia. Her quest for knowledge continued in the United States, where she obtained a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from the University of Central Florida, funded by a NASA grant to design, build, and test a spaceflight cryocooler.
From Dreams to Reality: Joining NASA
After completing her Ph.D. in 2005, Xiaoyi Li began her career at NASA as a mission analyst for launch service programs at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. In 2009, she transitioned to a thermal engineer position at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. A year later, she found an opportunity that resonated with her Ph.D. work and joined Goddard’s Cryogenics and Fluids Branch.
At Goddard, Li made significant contributions as a cryogenics engineer, including serving as the principal investigator for two IRAD studies, one of which resulted in a new patent. She also co-invented another patent. Before her current role, she was the instrument cryogenics lead for the Roman Space Telescope and served as the associate branch head in her organization.
Responsibilities of an Instrument Systems Engineer
Xiaoyi Li’s responsibilities encompass both technical and leadership roles. As the deputy instrument systems engineer for CAPE, she assists the lead engineer in coordinating various technical teams, including mechanical, electrical, thermal, and structural engineers, to build electron/ion analyzers. For the VASI instrument, she takes a more hands-on approach, organizing and coordinating technical work within a smaller team.
Her role requires blending diverse technical skills and personalities, ensuring that integrated systems meet requirements. Understanding technical connections between different components is essential for achieving mission success. Li finds the process of integrating different team members’ expertise particularly rewarding.
Coordination and Leadership: A Balancing Act
With over eight years of experience in leadership roles, Xiaoyi Li is well-equipped to facilitate collaboration within her engineering team and between engineers and scientists. Her extensive training and technical background, including a one-year detail assignment in Goddard’s Science Mission Directorate, enable her to ensure that instruments meet scientific objectives while adhering to engineering best practices.
Li empowers subject matter experts to pursue innovative ideas, guiding them toward a unified direction through a shared vision. Despite individual approaches varying, the team remains committed to the collective goal of a successful mission.
Mentorship: Learning and Teaching
Xiaoyi Li acknowledges the guidance of two mentors who have significantly influenced her career. Mr. Dave Everett, a systems engineer and the current head of her branch, has been her technical mentor, emphasizing the importance of understanding the overall system. Ms. Maria So, a former senior executive service (SES) member at Goddard and a fellow Chinese woman engineer, has been her leadership mentor. So’s guidance has helped Li navigate challenging decisions and understand the critical role of organizational leadership in systems engineering.
In turn, Li mentors younger engineers on her team, encouraging them to tackle problems independently while providing necessary guidance. She believes in the balance and importance of learning through one’s own mistakes.
Advocacy and Community Involvement
Xiaoyi Li is actively involved with the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (AANHPI) at Goddard. She recently served as co-chair for three years, advocating for the wellness of the Asian American community within Goddard and addressing concerns by reporting directly to senior management. The group fosters a sense of community and support through events such as the annual “Taste of Asia and the Pacific Islands” lunch event.
Personal Interests: Culinary Adventures and Gaming
Outside of work, Xiaoyi Li enjoys cooking a variety of cuisines, including Chinese and Thai dishes she learned in Australia, as well as classic American dishes. Her favorite culinary challenge is preparing a rib roast using the sous vide method, which involves 18 hours of slow cooking before finishing it in the oven. Additionally, she enjoys playing video games with her family and friends, which serves as a great way to relax and connect.
Conclusion: A Testament to Dedication and Expertise
Xiaoyi Li’s journey from an engineering family in China to a leading role at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and passion for engineering. Her dual roles in the VASI and CAPE missions highlight her ability to lead technical teams, overcome challenges, and contribute to the success of NASA’s ambitious missions. Through mentorship, advocacy, and a balanced personal life, Li exemplifies the qualities of a dedicated and accomplished engineer.
About the Author and Series
By Elizabeth M. Jarrell, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
Conversations With Goddard is a collection of Q&A profiles showcasing the talented and diverse workforce at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center. Published twice a month since May 2011, these conversations offer insights into the lives and careers of NASA’s engineers, scientists, and staff. Read past editions on Goddard’s “Our People” webpage.
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