A  graduate of the  Daystrom Institute of Technology, Dr. Leah Brahms was part of an
engineering team on the Galaxy Class Starship Development Project at the Utopia Planitia fleet yards In 2358.  Brahms made major contributions to the theoretical propulsion group, far beyond her official role As a junior team member, and was responsible for much of the warp engine design on the galaxy class Starship. As a result, Brahms was promoted to senior design engineer  of the Theoretical Propulsion Group In 2360.

As senior design engineer,  Brahms oversaw the development of all warp engine designs at the Utopia Planitia fleet yards,  including the  andromeda class starship  until 2373  when she took an  unspecified Leave of absence. 

Doctor Brahms  returned to the  theoretical propulsion group  a year later at the request of admiral Montgomery  Scott,  who had replaced Brahms  as  senior design engineer . Together with Scott,  Brahms corrected  several  design  problems  inherent  to the three-nacelle, dual warp core  andromeda class vessel.  Five months later, the U.S.S. Andromeda  was launched from the Utopia Planitia fleet yards.  Two months later, the U.S.S. Liberator  was launched,  with Brahms appointed the acting Chief Engineer until the completion of the shake down period