Interview with Mechanical Engineer, Jabril Muhammad

In an interview with Jabril Muhammad, he shares with me his very inspiring journey to becoming a mechanical engineer.

Nadine Muhammad: Please, would you tell our readers about yourself?

Jabril Muhamamd: Kind, charismatic, and a winning smile.  Just a few words to describe me. Hailing from Philadelphia, PA, I am a proud FOI and  a Nation baby, with a knack for leading teams, a flare for the arts, and a genuine desire to see his people free!

I was taught and trained by my wonderful parents, Brother Kyle and Sister Kimberly. I  was homeschooled for 7 years (2nd to 9th grade), gaining a thorough knowledge of self, and an intense interest in and passion for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM).

l attended George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science, and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) in Materials Science & Engineering from the University of Pennsylvania. 

By day, I am a Civilian Mechanical Engineer and In-Service Engineering Agent (ISEA) at the Naval Surface Warfare Center Philadelphia Division (NSWCPD), where I  manage several large, multi-faceted engineering projects in support of naval ship auxiliary fluid systems. 

 As an ever-maturing entrepreneur, I am the Co-Owner and Director of Engineering (DOE) of Original Man Scientific, LLC (OMS), a community-based science and technology company designed to deliver the advantages of research and development to inner-city communities and underrepresented groups. I am  also one of three Co-Hosts of your “Black Is STEM Platform” “The STEM Files: The Voice of STEM Talent in Black Culture”, highlighting the BEST and BRIGHTEST in STEM across the Black and Brown diaspora.

I  strive hard to make my community a safe and decent place to live through STEM engagement, mentorship, and innovation. I am  continuously supported by my beautiful wife of 5 years, Sister Khalifah Muhammad, and has been blessed with 2 beautiful children, 18 month old Brother Jasir Muhammad and 7 month old Sister Emaan Muhammad.

Nadine Muhammad: Would you share with us your educational journey?

Jabril Muhammad: As long as I can remember, my life was centered around education. Before 2nd grade, I  attended independent, Islamic institutions, namely Muhammad’s Early Learning Program (MELP) and Muhammad’s Islamic Academy (MIA).

Upon my entering 2nd Grade, my mother, Sister Kimberly, was inspired to begin homeschooling, with her main goal being to create a more tailored curriculum for her son’s growth and development. After some time homeschooling, my mother noticed a lack of presence and connection among Black homeschooling families. As a result, she founded the first Black homeschool group in Philadelphia, Freedom Homeschoolers. As a proud member of Freedom Homeschoolers, I enjoyed several years of academic support, peer friendships, and extracurricular activities.

In 10th grade, I transitioned from homeschooling to Philadelphia STEM magnet school, George Washington Carver High School of Engineering and Science. It was there that my interest in and desire to pursue engineering began. During my high school tenure, I  was an honor roll student, student athlete, student government officer, and much more! My high school career ended on a very high note, with me being the Salutatorian of my  graduating class, and receiving a large scholarship to attend the University of Pennsylvania and pursue a BSE in Materials Science & Engineering.

 My  college tenure was a challenging, yet rewarding experience to say the least. In addition to my  highly technical workload, l was an active member of the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) and a hip-hop fusion dance team, PennHype Dance Crew. After many long study hours, calls home, heart to heart conversations with friends, successes, and failures, my hard work paid off when I secured a Materials Engineering position at my now employer, NSWCPD.

Nadine Muhammad: Would you explain to us,  what is mechanical engineering?

Jabril Muhammad: Put simply, engineering is the application of mathematical and scientific knowledge to create technical devices, processes, and systems to solve various problems in society. More specifically, mechanical engineering employs these same mathematical and scientific principles to design, build, troubleshoot, and improve mechanical devices, processes, and systems (i.e. various vehicles, tools, heating and cooling systems, medical devices, and more).

Nadine Muhammad: At what age did you know that you wanted to major in a STEM  career?

Jabril Muhammad: I have always had a proclivity toward STEM, it was not until middle school that I firmly knew that I would pursue a STEM career. During this time, Philadelphia was hit by “Tropical Storm Isabel”, after which l had my  mother drive me around the neighborhood to see the wreckage in the storm’s aftermath. Quickly I  developed an interest in Meteorology (the study of weather phenomena), and was eventually enrolled in the H.O.P.E.S. Program at NBC10, where Philadelphia youth were taught meteorology by the network’s top Meteorologists.

Nadine Muhammad: What was the one experience in your educational journey  that had the most impact in your early educational career  that made you say, I would like to study mechanical engineering?

Jabril Muhammad: I  did not begin engaging mechanical engineering until his post-college, professional career. I decided to pursue a BSE in Materials Science & Engineering after my participation in a materials science summer came hosted at Drexel University. It was there that I realized that materials science & engineering lies at the crossroads of every engineering discipline. I understood that regardless of the engineering discipline, every device or tool is made of some material or group of materials. I would always be able to add value to any project.

Nadine Muhammad: In your career as a  mechanical engineer, share with us your current project?

Jabril Muhammad:  I am  currently a Civilian Mechanical Engineer and ISEA at NSWCPD, where I manage the procurement, receiving, storage, material discrepancy resolution, and shipping of various combat support system components for U.S. navy destroyer class ships. I  also provides distance support and in-classroom training for sailors maintaining his shipboard system.

Nadine Muhammad: To pave the way for the next generation of engineers, what can parents do to encourage their children to study the sciences and pursue  STEM careers?

Jabril Muhammad: A simple, yet dynamic way for parents to encourage their children to study and pursue STEM can be summed up in 5 words… OBSERVE -> RESEARCH -> PROVIDE -> ENCOURAGE -> REPEAT… OBSERVE your children, taking note of toys, games, shows, and activities that they naturally gravitate to. RESEARCH STEM occupations that seem to coincide with your child’s natural interests and tendencies. PROVIDE access to classes, camps, volunteer opportunities, mentorship, and other assets that engages your children in many STEM disciplines in real time. ENCOURAGE your children to continue to pursue their STEM interests, letting them know that the road will be difficult, but you will continue to be there to support them. REPEAT this process consistently throughout their lives.

Nadine Muhammad: I  am a huge fan of  The  STEM Files, please, tell us about your platform that you host with Bro. Tariq and SIS. Joy 2X, The STEM Files? Also, how and why should we subscribe?

Jabril Muhammad: Brother Jabril A.K.A “Jabrilliant Engineer” is one of three Co-Hosts of “The STEM Files: The Voice of STEM Talent in Black Culture”, where they strive hard to highlight the BEST and BRIGHTEST in STEM! Brothers “Tariq Cardiac" and "Jabrilliant Engineer” noticed that there was a great need for online, black-owned and operated platforms that were dynamic and unapologetic, when telling the stories of our black STEM students, enthusiasts, and professionals. 

In 2016, “The STEM Files” hit the airwaves, debuting on Blog Talk Radio. Two years and over 100 episodes later, we began to livestream our episodes on YouTube and Facebook, gaining thousands of followers and views across broth platforms. During this time, “The STEM Files” became the media arm of parent company, Original Man Scientific, LLC, and throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and after, The STEM Files has dedicated itself to being the preeminent voice of Black thought in STEM! 

In October 2023, our platform went through a groundbreaking transition, with us welcoming Sister Dr. Joy 2X AKA “The Qi Mechanic” to our team. Our sister has provided additional vision, vigor, and flavor to our work, and has served as a beautiful example of Black woman excellence and modesty in STEM.

From dynamic, informative episodes featuring the scientist Dr. Bennet Omalu, who discovered Chronic Traumatic Brain Injuries in athletes, to engineer Moses West, who created a machine that generates water from the atmosphere, we have been NOTHING LESS than THE VOICE OF STEM TALENT IN BLACK CULTURE!!!

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