There are a couple of counter examples, particularly in New Space startups. At 26, I was a Mission Director (SpaceX's equivalent to a NASA Flight Director) for Dragon re-entry and landing.
As the old Apollo-generation engineers start to retire in the space industry, there _is_ fresh blood coming in, and even at larger companies, I've found young folks in top positions. It's just not widely advertised.
As the old Apollo-generation engineers start to retire in the space industry, there _is_ fresh blood coming in, and even at larger companies, I've found young folks in top positions. It's just not widely advertised.