By Lacey Desserault

Growing up in Warden, Washington, a small farming community of about 2,500 people, the dream of working for NASA might have seemed far-fetched. Yet, for Washington State University Tri-Cities alumnus Benjamin Tomlinson, it became a reality.

As a child, Tomlinson always had dreams bigger than the farm life he was living. “I knew since I was 11 that I wanted to be a pilot,” he said, recalling how his grandfather, a World War II fighter pilot, inspired his early ambitions. When he realized becoming a pilot wasn’t in the cards for him, his grandfather offered an alternative: engineering. “He asked me, ‘Do you want to work on the tractor or design the tractor?’ Designing the tractor sounded better to me.” So, Tomlinson set his sights on a career in engineering.

But when tragedy struck during his junior year of high school, Tomlinson’s education suffered. At 16, Tomlinson lost his father in a tragic hit-and-run accident, a loss that greatly impacted him. “He was my best friend, my mentor and most of all, my dad,” he said. “Not only did I not manage to stay on the honor roll at school, but I failed out of most of my classes that year.” Despite struggling academically during this time, he retook his failed classes during his senior year and graduated on time, determined to move forward.

Tomlinson started his education at Big Bend Community College and later transitioned to Columbia Basin College, where he learned about WSU Tri-Cities and the mechanical engineering program. “WSU Tri-Cities gave me opportunities to work, fewer distractions, and the chance to stay connected with family,” he explained. The proximity, affordability, and support from faculty like Dr. Russell Westphal, who was the head of the department at the time, made WSU Tri-Cities the perfect fit.

“Dr. Westphal did all the legwork to help me meet WSU standards,” Tomlinson said, referring to the personalized academic guidance that connected his previous coursework to university requirements. This guidance allowed him to transfer from CBC to WSU Tri-Cities smoothly while balancing a full-time job at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, academics, and a growing family.

During his time at WSU Tri-Cities, a pivotal moment came in his senior year when a group project on a Stirling engine opened his eyes to larger possibilities after graduation. “What I didn’t realize at the time was that it was a NASA project,” he said. This connection foreshadowed his future career.

Though he was not flying the planes he had dreamed of as a child, Tomlinson still found himself working closely with them. After earning a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering in 2003, Tomlinson’s career path led him to Edwards Air Force Base, where he handled propulsion systems and flight testing before transitioning to NASA. Later, he pursued a graduate degree at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo, California, and Gonzaga University for Organizational Leadership, further sharpening his technical expertise and writing skills.

Now, as Chief of the Technology Transfer Office at the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center, Tomlinson oversees a team tasked with advancing and disseminating NASA innovations, while conducting outreach to bring in new technology. “Every day is different,” he said. “We develop training materials, track new technologies, protect intellectual property, and collaborate with academia, government agencies, and private companies.”

One of the most fulfilling parts of his role is mentoring interns. “When we bring an intern in, they think that they’re going to be chasing coffee or something like that,” he said. “But we hand them real projects with real consequences. Seeing their growth is incredibly rewarding.” Tomlinson also takes pride in NASA’s ability to deliver value to the public, as NASA has one of the highest returns of investment for government programs.

For WSU Tri-Cities students aspiring to follow in his footsteps, Tomlinson emphasizes discipline, resilience, and a willingness to embrace challenges, while encouraging them to appreciate the value of their education. “I really hope that they understand how important WSU Tri-Cities is to the Eastern Washington ecosystem. The experience they’re receiving is unique and invaluable.”

Learn more about the WSU Tri-Cities mechanical engineering program.