A big sports fan from a Nigerian household, he converted his Computer Science background and NNSA graduate fellowship into success at Defense Programs. Meet David Etim.
National Nuclear Security Administration
February 22, 2023
minute read time
What is your cultural background? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Mississippi, but grew up in Durham, North Carolina from around the time I was in third grade. I grew up in a Nigerian household, my parents immigrated from Nigeria to the United States for more opportunities and a better life for our family.
Describe your role in NNSA
I’m a Federal Program Manager in the NNSA Office of Advanced Simulation and Computing and Institutional Research & Development. Along with being a federal lead for projects and activities for our initiatives in Advanced Machine Learning and Large-Scale Calculations, I oversee our Verification & Validation subprogram which consists of providing accuracy and credibility with our physics and engineering models and integrated codes. I also manage the Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program in collaboration with the NNSA Academic Programs cohort.
How did you become interested in the field you are in? How did you end up on this career path?
My academic background is in Computer Science & Engineering. I became interested in this field during high school after taking classes that gave me experience in design software, software engineering, website development, and an introduction to computer programming. Going into my senior year of high school, I felt that Computer Science was the best field for me to major in for college. I decided to pursue a career in the field because of the potential job opportunities in the public and private sector.
What’s one of your favorite things about working at NNSA?
One of my favorite things about working at NNSA is the space I’ve been given to grow as a leader and the opportunities to continue enhancing my performance to be even better for projects and tasks that I take on. NNSA has the resources to help you develop skills and strengthen your professional development, which has been beneficial for my career.
What is your cultural background? Where did you grow up?
I was born in Mississippi, but grew up in Durham, North Carolina from around the time I was in third grade. I grew up in a Nigerian household as my parents immigrated from Nigeria to the United States for more opportunities and a better life for our family.
How do you support NNSA?
I’m a Federal Program Manager in the NNSA Office of Advanced Simulation and Computing and Institutional Research & Development. Along with being a federal lead for projects and activities for our initiatives in Advanced Machine Learning and Large-Scale Calculations, I oversee our Verification & Validation subprogram, which provides accuracy and credibility with our physics and engineering models and integrated codes. This work directly support the stewardship of our safe and secure nuclear weapons stockpile, as we now rely on science-based stockpile stewardship instead of explosive testing to certify the stockpile. I also manage the Predictive Science Academic Alliance Program in collaboration with the NNSA Academic Programs cohort.
How did you become interested in the field you are in? How did you end up on this career path?
My academic background is in Computer Science & Engineering. I became interested in this field during high school after taking classes that gave me experience in design software, software engineering, website development, and an introduction to computer programming. Going into my senior year of high school, I felt that Computer Science was the best field for me to major in for college. I decided to pursue a career in the field because of the potential job opportunities in the public and private sector.
What’s one of your favorite things about working at NNSA?
One of my favorite things about working at NNSA is the space I’ve been given to grow as a leader and the opportunities to continue enhancing my performance to be even better for projects and tasks that I take on. NNSA has the resources to help you develop skills and strengthen your professional development, which has been beneficial for my career.
What are the characteristics of the best teams you have been part of?
Some of the best teams I’ve been a part of have been welcoming, show great camaraderie, exhibit effective communication with each other, and share an excellent vision towards our common goal. It makes your job easy when you understand your role and responsibilities, and work with people that value positive leadership, are emotionally intelligent, and care about each other
What advice would you give members of the Black community who want to do what you do for NNSA?
My advice would be to work smart, be purposeful and intentional, and get your foot in the door even if the opportunity is just temporary, or something that you weren’t expecting. You never know what a job may lead to, as well as how networking can play a role in how you want your career path to go. Once you have that opportunity, be diligent in your work and remain humble. The effort that you put in may sometimes seem like it goes unnoticed, but you never know who’s watching and looking towards you as an example.
How will you celebrate Black History Month?
I’ll be celebrating Black History Month by seeking to learn something new about our history each day, making more efforts to support Black-owned businesses, and acknowledging Black excellence even more.
What leader or cultural figure would you like to recognize this month?
I would like to recognize Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. who commanded the first all-Black unit of military pilots, also known as the Tuskegee Airmen, who fought during World War II.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
I’m a big sports fan, so I like to watch and play basketball, football, soccer, and tennis. I also enjoy hiking, going to the beach, and going to concerts to see some of my favorite artists perform. I also like to go bowling on occasion.