Retiring in 2016, she was president and CEO of The Aerospace Corp., a leading architect of the United States' national security space programs, from 2008 until her retirement. She joined Aerospace in 1979 and served in various positions until 2004 when she was appointed SVP of their National Systems Group. She is an Adjunct Research Professor at the University of Southern California's Viterbi School of Engineering since 2007, and is co-founder of MakingSpace, where she serves as a motivational speaker on STEM education. In January 2024, Austin was nominated for election to Apple’s board.