The F-35 Integrated Assembly Line in Palmdale, California, must run efficiently, with safety and quality top-of-mind.
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by Julie Knight
She once dreamed of becoming an Air Force pilot. Instead, fate drew Wendy Balbino-Salmorin to a different call of duty. She stayed home and worked two part-time jobs to help support her family.
Her Mom is Her Inspiration
“We faced challenges growing up, like poverty and discrimination. But my mom never let us feel the struggle. She taught us to never lose hope. And that if you work hard, good things will come to you,” said Wendy.
One of six kids, raised by a single mom, Wendy completed three years in the Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Program during high school.
While she hoped to join the Air Force after graduation, when the time came, she couldn’t bring herself to do it.
It didn’t feel right because we were struggling to make ends meet. My mom had just started her daycare business and needed my help,” Wendy said.
Instead of joining the Air Force, Wendy juggled part-time jobs at both Panda Express and a Cinemark movie theater all while helping her mother launch her business.
Lost Angels Changed My Life
She credits the Lost Angels Career Center program in Lancaster for turning her life around —giving her whole family renewed hope for a better future.
The program helps disadvantaged 18- to 24-year-olds train for career opportunities. Northrop Grumman offers training to Lost Angels students interested in becoming aeronautics technicians.
With so much at stake, during her first practice job interview at Northrop Grumman, she couldn’t hide her nervousness. “I thought there would be others more knowledgeable about the tools,” she said.
Her interviewer (now her manager) Jacob Luisi, manager, Tool Die-making, tried to allay her fears. “I told her ‘relax,’ there’s really no wrong answers here. Just tell me about you,” Jacob said.
So impressed that Wendy was able to juggle part-time work on top of her Lost Angels training, Jacob said he could tell she had the grit and work ethic to excel at Northrop Grumman. “I didn’t even have an open job to fill at the time, but I told her I would reach out as soon as I could find a spot for her.”
She Builds F-35s
Wendy joined Northrop Grumman in November 2023 as an F-35 dimension control technician.
Her job has three main parts: “jig and fixture” tooling, machinist and laser tracker operator. She assembles all of the critical engineering features needed to build the F-35 aircraft framework.
Jacob couldn’t be happier with her job performance. “She’s doing great. Another manager told me he was super impressed that when he drops by to chat, she doesn’t even look up. She stays focused on the job she’s doing.”
Grateful for Opportunities
As for what she appreciates most about working at Northrop Grumman, she said, “I love that you can go anywhere here. If you start out in one spot and it’s not a fit, there are so many other places you can go in the company. You will never run out of opportunities. You can always try something else.”
Though she didn’t realize her dream of becoming a pilot, turns out that might have been a blessing in disguise. “I recently discovered I get motion sickness on planes,” Wendy said, adding that she couldn’t be happier in her current role.
“I love building the planes that keep our warfighters safe. How amazing is it that I can do important and meaningful work — and help support my family? I am so grateful.”
Life at Northrop Grumman
Your work at Northrop Grumman makes a difference. Whether you want to design next-generation aircraft, harness digital technologies or build spacecraft that will return humanity to the moon, you’ll contribute to technology that’s transforming the world. Check out our career opportunities to see how you can help define possible.
