We’ve all heard the mantras: “Failure is not an option.” “Fail fast, fail often.” But what do they really mean in high-stakes engineering? And what happens when we get them wrong?
In this engaging and story-driven keynote, Mark Stabb takes you on a journey from LEGO-strewn childhoods to billion-dollar space telescopes—exploring how our relationship with failure has shaped the past, present, and future of engineering innovation.
You’ll hear firsthand lessons from Class A space missions like James Webb, unpack the promise and pitfalls of fail-fast culture, and discover how the smartest organizations turn setbacks into breakthroughs. With humor, insight, and real-world experience, this talk reframes failure not as something to fear or fetishize—but as a tool to wield with rigor.
Whether you’re launching rockets or building the next breakthrough device, this is a talk for anyone who believes failure should never be wasted.
Mark Stabb, Founder & CEO | Quartus Engineering
Mark Stabb has a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Math and Physics, as well as a Master’s degree and a PhD degree, both in Engineering Mechanics, and both from the University of Wisconsin. He is a registered Professional Engineer in the states of California and Virginia. His technical background has focused on the use of numerical methods in the fields of structural and thermal analysis and testing. His industry experience covers a wide variety of advanced systems; ranging from spacecraft, launch vehicles, and aircraft to astronomical optical experiments, theme park attractions, and renewable energy sources. In 1997, Mark helped found Quartus Engineering in San Diego, CA and has remained involved with the company to this day. Additionally, he serves on the University of California San Diego Industrial Advisory Board for the Structural Engineering department and has taught undergraduate Finite Elements classes as adjunct faculty.