Duke Valentour works as an Industrial and Systems Engineer at Ball Aerospace, a division of BAE Systems in Boulder, Colorado. Ball Aerospace, now known as Space & Mission Systems, develops technology and solutions for space missions, supporting national security, intelligence, and civilian efforts.

Duke holds a Commercial Pilot License and is a Certified Flight Instructor. His interest in aviation was sparked early by his grandfather, who significantly encouraged his passion for flying.

In his engineering role, Duke analyzes workflow processes within assembly and fabrication operations to identify cycle times and improve efficiency. He leads projects that enhance procedures across Research and Development, Production, and Depot Programs for Optical Systems. His responsibilities include performing root cause analyses to identify and address production challenges. He works closely with production technicians to implement process and product improvements.

Duke began his career at Ball Aerospace as an intern in 2020 and later earned a full-time position. In 2024, he was promoted to his current role. That same year, Ball Aerospace was acquired by BAE Systems and incorporated into the Space & Mission Systems division.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour’s passion for aviation developed during childhood visits to the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force near Dayton, Ohio, with his grandfather, Colonel Wayne Basset. These visits deepened his interest in military aviation. While interning at Ball Aerospace in 2021, Jonathan passed his private pilot check ride and earned his instrument rating by late 2023.

In early 2024, Jonathan earned his commercial pilot license and flight instructor certification. He began working as a tow pilot and flight instructor at Mile High Gliding in Boulder.

Duke holds endorsements for complex airplanes, high-performance aircraft, tailwheel operations, and glider towing. He has logged roughly 800 flight hours, including 250 in tailwheel aircraft and 10 in complex airplanes. His experience includes flight instruction at Journeys Aviation and glider towing at Mile High Gliding, where he provides flight and ground instruction.

Jonathan attended Archbishop Alter High School in Kettering, Ohio, where he played baseball and football. His football team qualified for the state playoffs during his sophomore, junior, and senior years. In 2017, he enrolled at Ohio State University in Columbus and earned a Bachelor of Science in Integrated Systems Engineering. While at OSU, Jonathan served as Business Development Lead for the Buckeye Space Launch Initiative from 2020 to 2021.

Duke worked at the Ball Packaging facility during college, where he first became familiar with Ball Aerospace. His persistence helped him secure an internship with the company, laying the foundation for his aerospace engineering career.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour volunteers with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, offering free introductory flights to youth aged 8 to 17 to inspire interest in aviation. Jonathan conducts pre-flight briefings, pilots flights, and leads post-flight question sessions. This volunteer work reflects his dedication to sharing his passion for flying, inspired by his grandfather and father.

Outside of his professional and aviation pursuits, Duke enjoys hiking and skiing. He values the physical challenge and connection to nature that these activities provide. His appreciation for the outdoors complements his passion for flying, giving him a unique perspective on the landscapes he explores from the ground and the air.