Defined by Doing: Beneath the Surface, Wentworth Grad’s Talents Soar

They are the builders, the thinkers, and the problem-solvers. In the "Defined by Doing” series, we highlight exceptional alumni who are translating their education into action and redefining what is possible in their fields. From recent graduates to seasoned industry leaders, these stories prove that the Wentworth community is making a meaningful impact at every stage of the journey. 

Katerina Koukounaras thrives under pressure. 

Spanning the boundaries of land and sea, her work as a structural analysis engineer reaches unimaginable depths—intentionally.   

Since 2023, the Wentworth Institute of Technology graduate has employed her expertise at General Dynamics Electric Boat, which designs and builds Virginia-class submarines.  

“There are always a lot of things to take into account,” Koukounaras said of her profession. “But it’s super fun.” 

When she first started at EB, Koukounaras was writing instructions for those working on the boats. Now, her day-to-day includes reviewing design models for submarines to ensure that the vessels will hold their structural integrity underwater.  

She’s responsible for analyzing the quality and stability of materials, fasteners, and physical production of proposed boat designs.  

“We look to see if there are things like any high-stress areas, depending on the material to be used for a component foundation. We use different types of materials such as steel, and it takes careful review to decide what material is used in each design. If there’s a really high-stress area in the design and it’s well over the yield strength on that material, I have to think, ‘Do I change the foundation design or do I change the material? If I change the material, is that going to be sufficient to approve the design?’” Koukounaras explained. “Also, I have to think, ‘If I change this material, this part of my foundation, are we, EB, going to be able to get that and manufacture that and fabricate it in time for us to go and install this?’” 

“There’s a lot to consider when you’re conceptually designing something and trying to approve a design via analysis,” she reflected. 

Another part of her current job is interacting with the company’s customers. Koukounaras attributes her strong communication and collaboration abilities to her challenging courses at Wentworth. 

“I tap into my knowledge and all my textbooks and notes that I had from my courses often,” she said. “One of the most important things about my career is always asking questions. It doesn't make you look less smart; it makes you more aware of your surroundings and helps you avoid possible mistakes. And I learned that from one of my professors at Wentworth.”  

Hailing from New Jersey and a Greek family, Koukounaras originally wanted to become a doctor. But a high school physics class—and consequently, a summer program that provided the opportunity to see the Artemis I rocket—changed her mind.  

“I started to become fascinated with airplanes and the mechanics of certain things, and my physics teacher suggested that I might like to go into engineering. I’ve always been good at math and science, and I think physics just confirmed that for me,” she said. “It’s been love ever since.”  

Drawn to the appeal of cityscapes and industry, Koukounaras knew right away that Wentworth was where she wanted to complete her studies. 

“I've always been in love with Boston and the history that it has. I also knew that Wentworth had a really good engineering program, and I remember talking to a professor there when I was applying, and that conversation really made me realize that it would be a good fit for me,” she said. “I was also intrigued by Wentworth’s small class sizes, because I knew I would like having real connections with the professors instead of being just another little line in their gradebooks.”  

While she has thoroughly enjoyed her time at EB, Koukounaras is preparing for her next step: a mechanical analysis engineer role in the aerospace sector that will stretch her into new technical territory. 

“I’ll still be working a lot with the analysis software and creating new design changes, but I’ll be doing more mechanical, thermodynamics, and fluid dynamics work, which excites me because I loved that part of college,” she said.  

As a woman in engineering, Koukounaras noted that her education at Wentworth has had a profound influence on how she learned to navigate her professional career after graduation.  

“I am one of only five women in my current department, and my courses in the university’s engineering department allowed me to become more confident in myself,” she said. “At Wentworth, I learned how to leverage my talents professionally while in the classroom. And that has always been extremely meaningful.”