Pantex Proud: Joe Papp
Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Joe Papp work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who he is, what he does, and why he is proud to be a Pantexan.
A self-described car guy and Porsche fanatic, Senior Director of Production Engineering Joe Papp once pictured a very different future for himself.
“I envisioned myself designing cars,” he said. “However, I ended up on the safety side of engineering doing safety analysis reports for both NASA and the NNSA.”
What is surely a loss to Porsche’s design team is Pantex’s gain. As senior director of Production Engineering, Papp oversees matters of great significance to the Pantex mission. Part of his role includes overseeing vital elements of design and testing procedures, and more.
“I have always been very proud to be an American,” he said.
The Pantex products Papp’s work supports gives the nation’s leaders and defenders the deterrent needed to keep us strong and free. Every Pantexan has a share in the mission, but it’s a weight to shoulder of which some, like Papp, are keenly aware.
“I oversee the process by which procedures get developed and provided to the line,” he explained. “Without procedures, we could not complete our mission.”
Papp knows both mission success and continued safety depend on full compliance with all procedures. That, in turn, requires accountability, which must start with the man in the mirror.
“At Pantex, you must follow the procedures,” he said. “Safety, security, and quality depend on it. We cannot hold others accountable if we do not hold ourselves accountable. If you make a mistake, stand up and be accountable for your actions. Your peers and managers will appreciate you more if you own your mistakes.”
More than that, though, personal accountability also enables teams to learn from mistakes to improve future performance.
“Without the person who made the mistake taking accountability, there is no way to fix the problem or keeping it from occurring again,” Papp said.
Engineers tackle some incredible challenges. In his Pantex role, Papp knows people working in tandem are the key to finding effective solutions.
“I do not think there is anything more important to being an engineer than your problem-solving skills,” he said. “It is OK to ask questions; no one knows everything.”
Holding one’s self accountable and being a strong contributor both grow out of emotional security. To that end, Papp draws on a personal experience with a former manager to make sure he, as a leader, inspires others to that level of comfort.
“When you would go to his office, you would be answering a question and, as soon as the phone rang, this manager would turn around and answer the phone — making you feel like you were not important. So, I always make sure I focus on the person.”
What advice has a team member given you that has helped you in your career at Pantex?
Under BWX Technologies, I read a management book titled “Fish!” which stated that you choose your attitude every day when you come to work. So, I have chosen to have a positive attitude every day.
What is your top bucket list item, and why?
I want to build a Porsche Spyder replica when I retire. I always wanted a real one, but will never be able to afford one, hence the replica.
What is one thing your coworkers would be surprised to know about you?
I have around 2,000 miniature Porsches I have been collecting since I was a young child.
Senior Director of Production Engineering Joe Papp dreamed of being an automotive designer, a career directly connected to his love of Porsche vehicles.