Alumni Profiles Series: Rick LaRowe

Rick LaRowe is a principal technical fellow at Raytheon, an RTX company, where he has worked for 22 years. He is currently the software engineering technical director and leads software strategy and roadmaps for AI and machine learning. Prior to joining Raytheon, Rick held senior management and technical positions working in advanced systems and software at Baltimore Technologies, GTE Internetworking, BBN, Worcester Polytechnic Institute, and Encore Computers. He has numerous publications and holds four patents. Rick received his B.S. in computer science from Northeastern University before pursuing his Ph.D. in computer science from Duke.

As technical director at Raytheon, what does your work look like?

I am principal fellow and the technical director for software engineering. In these roles, I oversee 75 technical fellows and lead a team of 4,500 software engineers working across a vast range of projects. Raytheon is part of RTX, which also includes Collins Aerospace and Pratt & Whitney. We’re involved in everything you’d think of in defense—space, air, surface, undersea, cyber. Our scope ranges from sensing technologies like radars and electro-optical systems to the weapons side, where we’re the largest missile company in the world.

Though my role has become more managerial in recent years, I’m still focused on cutting-edge technology. I spend a lot of time on generative AI—not on building the next large language model but figuring out how to apply these technologies, whether it’s to improve our systems or increase productivity.

What led you to pursue a Ph.D., and how has it shaped your career?

I completed my Ph.D. in computer science at Duke University in 1991, focusing on parallel computing and memory access—fields that are now more relevant than ever. Back in 1991, parallel computing was the domain of large simulations and scientific applications. Today, it’s a foundation for AI and high-performance computing.

I credit my doctoral studies with teaching me how to learn independently. The biggest skill I use is knowing how to dig in and learn things on my own. That’s been core to my career. Early on, my Ph.D. opened doors, but over time, it’s been the skills I’ve developed that have carried me forward.

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Why did you transition into teaching part-time?

As I approach retirement after 22 years at Raytheon, I have returned to teaching part-time at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). I’ve always enjoyed teaching. It’s rewarding to share knowledge and help students develop their own perspectives.

I’m currently teaching a course on the social implications of information technology, a required undergraduate course at WPI. It’s been great. My background in aerospace, cybersecurity, and safety has given me plenty of real-world examples to share, which makes the class more engaging.

Looking ahead, I’m excited about mentoring master’s students through their capstone projects next semester. It’s an opportunity to guide students as they tackle real-world challenges. That’s always been one of my favorite parts of leadership—helping others grow.

What advice do you have for Ph.D. students and early-career professionals?

Take the time to learn what’s important to your organization—where the profit is, where the investments are going, and what the big-picture goals are. If you can align your work with those goals, you’ll be in a much stronger position to succeed.

I would also encourage young professionals to stay open to new opportunities. Careers don’t follow a rigid plan. It’s okay to take unexpected turns. I’ve found that some of the best opportunities come when you’re willing to pivot.

Do you have a favorite memory from your time at Duke?

I really enjoyed the close-knit community of graduate students. We had a great group of people. Every Friday night, we’d gather for what we called the “alternative happy hour,” which was just a way for us to unwind and stay connected.

I got married during my time at Duke, and my wife and I also hosted gatherings at our home for fellow grad students. It was a great time in my life. The camaraderie and support among the community really made it special.

What’s next for you?

As I transition out of my full-time role at Raytheon, I plan to continue teaching and mentoring. I’ve always enjoyed staying engaged and learning new things. Teaching is a way to give back and share what I’ve learned over the years.

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AUTHOR

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Rickard Stureborg, Ph.D.

Recent Ph.D. graduate, Computer Science

Rich Stureborg is an applied research scientist on Grammarly’s strategic research team, where his work investigates how to best integrate AI into people’s writing workflows. He received his Ph.D. in Computer Science from Duke University, where his research focused on the use of language models in addressing vaccine concerns for public health efforts and has broad professional experience within higher education and board work. He currently serves on Duke’s Board of Trustees.