Business-Minded Embry-Riddle Engineering Student Selected for Competitive RTX Leadership Program

Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University senior Lucas Cohen has already completed top internships at Collins Aerospace and founded his own successful business.

But he was stunned when he learned he had been chosen as one of 21 students nationwide for the highly competitive RTX Engineering Leadership Development Program, which received more than 1,000 applications. The program is designed to cultivate the next generation of aerospace leaders and engineers at RTX Corporation, a global aerospace and defense company comprised of Collins Aerospace, Pratt & Whitney and Raytheon.

“It was an incredibly competitive process, and the other candidates were amazing,” said Cohen, who is set to graduate in May with his bachelor’s degree in Aerospace Engineering. “Being selected for this program is a big blessing, and I can't wait to get started with the first of my three rotations in June.”

Participants receive extensive leadership and technical training while they complete three immersive 8-month rotations throughout the company. Cohen is part of the 2028 RTX program’s Aerospace/Mechanical track, and RTX will also provide funding for him to earn his master’s degree in Business Administration at Embry-Riddle.

“Lucas was selected for the RTX Engineering Leadership Development Program because he demonstrated strong financial and business acumen alongside technical expertise and clear leadership potential both in his internships and entrepreneurial endeavors,” said Zack Olson, associate director of the program. “We are looking forward to all that Lucas will do during the two years in the program and beyond at RTX.”

Cohen said he knew he was interested in the RTX program after completing two summer internships in Engine Control Systems Project Engineering at Collins Aerospace in Windsor Locks, Connecticut.

“As an early career engineer, Lucas has already developed real-world experience in both product design and project management from his Collins internship and his experience as an entrepreneur,” said Nicholas Hudgik, an associate director of project engineering at Collins Aerospace, who was Cohen’s manager during his internships. “He also brings with him strong teamworking and problem-solving skills, and the ability to adapt to continuously changing priorities and demands.”

Cohen, who is from Southbury, Connecticut, also served as a lead student ambassador for Collins Aerospace at Embry-Riddle’s Daytona Beach Campus.

“I found RTX respected my ideas and individuality,” he said. “I also believe the work RTX is doing is really important and I’m proud to contribute to it.”

Cohen is a founder of Beyond Bounds Studios. The start-up was a $10,000 Volusia Innovation Challenge winner. (Photo: Lucas Cohen)

For Cohen, the RTX program merges his interests in engineering and business. He founded Beyond Bounds Studios, a company specializing in Minecraft server development, management and hosting. The company won the $10,000 grand prize in the Volusia Innovation Challenge and earned a $1,000 prize at Embry-Riddle’s Trep Expo competition.

“Corporations are basically successful entrepreneurships, and you need to have an entrepreneurial mind to lead them,” said Cohen.

He also serves as a business development consultant at the Embry-Riddle Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

“Lucas is a doer, as true leaders and entrepreneurs are. He has a very good strategic mind, is great at finding and dealing with information, is always excited about making important things happen, and embraces responsibility while helping those around him grow,” said Dr. Fernando D'Andrea, assistant professor of Entrepreneurship at Embry-Riddle’s David B. O'Maley College of Business. “He has a bright future ahead in whatever path he decides to follow.”