727 Biography
Robert Johnson
Robert Johnson provides analysis support for the 787 fuselage structural architecture, test development and verification in his role as an associate technical fellow for Boeing. He also serves as a mentor to Boeing and partner engineers in the structural design and analysis of the fuselage.
Johnson's experience stretches back to the 727. He worked on analyzing the 727 static and fatigue test results and the early stall buffet flight testing analysis. Later, he helped to evaluate the 727 fuselage for in-service fatigue performance during the development of the Boeing Durability Analysis Methods and Manuals.
There have been many highlights in his 41-year career at Boeing. But, Johnson said, standing tall above the others is his work leading the team that developed the 777 Final Body Join configuration. A Boeing executive said at the time that this work was the "enabling feature" that cut the manufacturing time to one-half of the program challenge.
Johnson said the incredible range of opportunities at Boeing continues to amaze him. Employees can chose to explore career paths that include management, technical expertise or both, he noted. The pursuit of these opportunities, he said, lead to the development of worldwide professional relationships.
Today, Johnson is looking forward to first flight of the 787 and completion of the 787 static airframe test.
"These are the coolest activities that one can be a part of," said Johnson. "The technical and personal challenges are well beyond any other industries' challenges."