In 1988, she earned her doctorate (PhD) from the University of Southern California (USC), with a dissertation entitled Understanding Natural Language in the Application of System Dynamics Modeling.

After completing her master's degree in 1977, Austin accepted a position at Rockwell International in California, working with missile systems as technical staff.

[7] From 2004 to 2007, she was Senior Vice President of the National Systems Group at Aerospace, prior to assuming the role of CEO on January 1, 2008.

The following year, she was appointed to the US Defense Science Board and in 2014 she became a member of the NASA Advisory Council, both of which were White House commissioned.

[4] In December 2017, Austin co-founded MakingSpace, Inc., a leadership and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) consulting firm, and continues to serve as the CEO.

She continues to serve on the board of directors of the Chevron Corporation, Amgen Inc., Virgin Galactic Holdings Inc., Horatio Alger Association, National Academy of Engineering and is a life trustee for the University of Southern California.

Austin was also inducted into the Women in Technology International Hall of Fame in 2007, and received the Black Engineer of the Year Award in 2009.

[4] The following year, she received the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics' von Braun Award for Excellence in Space Program Management,.