A lifelong interest in aviation that culminated in forming and leading the design team that created the B-2 "Spirit" Bomber.
Grumman Aerospace Corp (1953-1974). Participated in the aerodynamic designs of the FI0F-l, FIlA, E-2C, and Gulfstream I. Led the aerodynamic and propulsion design of the Gulfstream II business jet. Led the aerodynamic design of the F-14 naval fighter from inception to fleet introduction.
Northrop Corp (1974-1993). Led naval version of Northrop's F-17 lightweight fighter, basis of the F/ A-18 design. He is a pioneer in the development of stealth aircraft design, leading the engineering activities of the XST program and the Tacit Blue Stealth Technology Flight Program. In 1979 he was given responsibility for creating the Advanced Technology Bomber program which resulted in the B-2 program award. Named Vice President, Engineering and Advanced Technology for the B-2 Division, he retained design leadership of the B- 2 program through its PDR. Named Vice President, Chief Designer of Northrop in 1988.
Irv Waaland has received numerous awards for the design of the B-2. In 1991 he was elected a member of the National Academy of Engineering, named a Fellow of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics and invited to give the AIAA Wright Brothers Lectureship in Aeronautics.