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Our engineers have a passion to make a difference in the world and keep people safe. Learn about their roles, why they became engineers, what they enjoy about being engineers, and advice for the next generation of engineers.

 

TomTom Brook
Applications Manager
University of Southampton, BEng, Mechanical Engineering

In my current role, I find it rewarding to see what started as a conceptual design and how it moves through the engineering process into production. Early on in my career, a mentor encouraged me to assist him with a test program. This taught me a great deal of the science behind fire testing and to become familiar with the test standards and requirements.

A piece of advice I would give to anyone coming up in the engineering field is to make sure you balance the hands-on practical experiences with the classroom theory – sometimes getting your hands dirty is the best way to learn.

BrianBrian Cashion
Applications Engineering Manager
Purdue University, B.S., Mechanical Engineering

What I like about being an engineer is developing new products and/or product improvements and seeing those products being used to save lives. I also find it rewarding to be in a position where I can help guide younger engineers to have success in the projects they are assigned.

My advice for students concentrating on STEM, learn problem-solving skills.

RickiRicki Contreras
Applications Engineer
Arizona State University, M.S., Biomedical Engineering and B.S., Biomedical Engineering

Finding a solution through designing and testing new products is the most exhilarating part of my current position. An important part of this role is to understand the customer’s perspective and determine what is needed to support the business. I gained those skills while serving as a sales operational engineer where I interacted with customers and learned how businesses function.

If you are considering an engineering degree, it will lead to many opportunities and types of positions.

MelissaMelissa Emerson
Senior Market Segment Manager
North Carolina State University, B.S., Chemical Engineering

My engineering degree gave me the ability to understand technical information and issues while working in a strategic marketing environment. With an engineering degree, you can do almost anything. The best thing about the degree is the way it teaches you to think, which you can apply to almost any area of business and be successful.

I studied chemical engineering because my high school chemistry teacher taught me to love chemistry and encouraged me to investigate engineering school. I think that was one of the biggest influences on my career path. If I hadn’t gone in that direction, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

EastonEaston Jacobsen
Project Manager
University of Nebraska-Lincoln, B.S., Mechanical Engineering

The most exciting thing about the projects I work on is that no two projects are ever the same. Each presents its own set of challenges for us to overcome. It’s like finishing a puzzle and I love puzzles. As an engineer, I get to solve puzzles all the time!

If you are pursuing an engineering degree, engineering does not have mean having to sit at a desk doing math from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., unless you want it to be. An engineering degree can open doors for you in almost any industry and work environment in the world.

NateNathan Martian
Quality Engineer
Lehigh University, B.S., Materials Science and Engineering

On a daily basis, I have a direct impact on the quality and delivery of products designed to mitigate loss of life in critical applications. We have customers all over the world and they have unique certification requirements, including regulatory bodies. We currently register with over a dozen of these quality organizations worldwide, all with their own challenges and requirements.

A valuable lesson I learned and would pass on to current STEM students is to keep your core textbooks. You will thank me in a few years!

JacobJacob Largo
Applications Engineer
Arizona State University, B.S.E., Mechanical Engineering

Engineering challenges me and I find myself in situations that I am not entirely familiar with. These situations allow me to expand my knowledge on new concepts and bring innovative ideas that may have not been thought of before. This makes me appreciate working with our military customers directly on each program and seeing the reality of the things we are protecting in the field.

My high school math teacher helped me realize my dream of becoming an engineer by showing me how cool math can be and how it applies to real-world applications. I take this wisdom and actively preach that anyone even slightly interested in engineering takes the plunge and pursues a degree in an engineering field that interests them.

LynetteLynette Salik
Applications Engineer
Arizona State University Polytechnic Campus, B.S.E., Mechanical Engineering Technology

Engineering was a logical path for me. I was a curious kid and always wanted to know more about how things worked so I would take them apart. As an engineer, I get to solve problems and make something that wasn’t there before. I have also found that your job title won’t begin to cover what you actually do.

In my spare time, I like to introduce kids to science and engineering through the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) programs. People don’t always get to see how science/engineering fits into daily life, but when they do, they start to think about how they could be a part of it.

 

ZachZach Smith
Applications Engineer
University of Arizona, B.S., Materials Science and Engineering

I have always enjoyed the hands-on nature of my position along with the diverse work I have involved in. I can take something that is just an idea floating in my head and creating something I can actually hold in my hand. It is exciting going through the process from idea creation to functioning products.

When it comes to engineering, one must enjoy problem-solving and have a decent amount of tenacity to follow through. Some problems take longer to figure out than others. It seems none of the things I have worked on or products I’ve developed have worked properly until the fourth or fifth iteration.

JoeJoe Sombilla
Standard Work Engineer
University of St. La Salle, B.S., Electronics and Communications Engineering

I am currently working on a Kaizen event to improve efficiency and quality while increasing capability. Having knowledge in Six Sigma has helped me establish and improve the efficiencies, capabilities, and quality of our products. I enjoy the challenge of finding improvements to implement and seeing what positive effects it has on the overall company.

Studying STEM will lead students to a wider spectrum of challenges and opportunities.

 

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