Duke Valentour

Duke Valentour works as an Industrial and Systems Engineer at Ball Aerospace, part of BAE Systems, based in Boulder, Colorado. Ball Aerospace, now operating under Space & Mission Systems, specializes in creating technologies supporting space missions for national security, intelligence, and civilian applications.

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

In his engineering role, Duke analyzes workflows within the assembly and fabrication processes to assess cycle and process times. He leads projects to improve these operations across Research and Development, Production, and Depot Programs focused on Optical Systems. His work includes root cause analyses to identify production issues and develop sustainable solutions. Duke collaborates closely with production technicians to enhance processes and product quality.

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

Jonathan Wayne Valentour’s passion for aviation was sparked 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 the end of 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 nearly 800 flight hours, including 250 in tailwheel aircraft and 10 in complex airplanes. His professional experience includes flight instruction at Journeys Aviation and glider towing at Mile High Gliding, where he provides both in-flight and classroom 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 through 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 determination helped him secure an internship at the company, paving the way for his aerospace engineering career.

Jonathan Wayne Valentour volunteers with the Experimental Aircraft Association’s Young Eagles program, which offers free introductory flights to youth aged 8 to 17 to encourage interest in aviation. Jonathan provides pre-flight briefings and pilot flights and leads post-flight discussions. This volunteer work reflects his commitment 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 love for the outdoors complements his passion for flying, allowing him to appreciate the landscapes he experiences from the ground and the sky.