QinetiQ US Stories

Starting as an intern in 2016 and returning three years later as a staff electrical engineer, Chris is now a principal electrical engineer in Advanced Robotics & Mission Solutions (AR&MS). He currently works on the Electric Sprocket Drive, a U.S. Army program designed to build and test an electric motor for the M88 armored recovery vehicle. His work is focused on the future of the U.S. Army and advancing the technology for our warfighters.

“We have so much talent on our team here in Waltham. Our electrical engineering team is close knit, helpful and always willing to assist anyone on a project or to solve a problem. No matter the project, the team is ready and willing to jump in.”

In addition to this critical role, Chris understands the importance of STEM to QinetiQ’s mission and the community at large. He has supported the Early Careers Employee Resource Group as a volunteer for the Boys and Girls Club, volunteered as a judge at a local science fair and demonstrated QinetiQ’s robot technology with employees’ children during Bring Your Child to Work Day. He also started a nonprofit in the Boston area that invites college students to teach middle schoolers to build robots helping develop the next generation of technology leaders.

“It’s been great to have the opportunity to progress in my career here. It was clear after my internship that there were opportunities to lead groundbreaking efforts and work on different programs,” said Scianna. “The culture and support you receive is unmatched. I love the ability to share our innovation internally and with my local community.”

Beyond his community efforts, Chris also leads the design and production as well as supporting the proposal and business development teams for underwater vehicles. He’s also led the SPUR Mini program, where his team’s upgrade work was a prime example of rapid and agile innovation. He also recently completed his certification as a Project Management Professional with QinetiQ’s internal bootcamp.

But even with that dynamic resume, Chris says there is one program that he considers his favorite.

“SEAScout is like my baby. I helped build this program from the ground up, from software support lead to technical lead on the project,” said Scianna, who took on the program only a year into working at AR&MS full time. “It’s been extremely rewarding to see a project from the first stages to a re-design and everything in between.”

At QinetiQ US, mission-led innovation is the mission. It’s safe to say, that both in and outside of work, Chris is living that mission and building the next generation of STEM leaders one robot at a time.