Senior materials engineer conducting failure analysis and materials testing in order to provide expert consultation.

Materials engineer providing engineering support for expert testimony on failures involved in ongoing litigation, ranging from aircraft to heavy machinery and consumer products.

• Graduate Research Fellow under Dr. Carolin Fink, Welding Engineering Completed research and thesis surrounding liquid metal embrittlement of stainless steels by molten zinc.  Developed testing procedures and design of experiments for metallic samples, then analyzed the resulting data and communicated results. Proposed a novel mechanism for a failure mode (liquid metal embrittlement) by extending failure analysis to the nanoscale level. Researched, designed, and tested novel alloys for optimized weldability and processing. Worked and collaborated with a lab group, including coordinating multiple simultaneous research goals. Trained new students and created work instruction documents for various pieces of laboratory equipment.

• Graduate Teaching Assistant (Weldability 3x, Brazing 1x), Welding Engineering  Weldability teaches how to perform the root cause analysis of weld related failures and provide solutions by modifying the workpiece, chemistry, or processing to achieve properties which are resistant to those failures. The focus of the class is on solving case studies, where chemistry and processing procedures are analyzed to deduce the cause of failure and propose corrective actions.

• Manufacturing Engineering Intern, Order Fulfillment Process  Engaged in the NCCA (Non-Conforming Corrective Action) process to provide root cause analysis and propose solutions for long term corrective actions. Implemented the John Deere preferred Manufacturing Execution System (JDAAT) in a high volume work center. Participated in multiple factory master planning projects to improve floor plan layouts, efficiency, and quality.

• Undergraduate Researcher in the high temperature alloys lab under Dr. Gerhard Fuchs Sectioned and prepared metallographic samples for microstructural, fracture, and failure analysis. Used fractographic evidence from optical and scanning electron microscopy as well as information from analytical methods to perform failure analysis. Report findings and make recommendations for corrective action to suppliers of failed components in a concise and easy to understand format.

• Manufacturing Engineering Intern, Heat Treatment Operations  Executed a project to improve the atmosphere in carburizing furnaces and evaluate the resulting metallurgical properties. Analyzed bulk carburization data and recommended improvements to John Deere Standards. Performed failure analysis on large tractor components with the Materials Engineering lab.

• Manufacturing Engineering Intern  Worked with project managers to improve manufacturing processes for GE and Siemens brand gas turbines. Performed root cause analysis on returned or failed parts and provided input for redesign to prevent future failures. Provided support for mechanically controlled GTAW, laser, and electron beam welding processes for high nickel superalloys. Trained with Six Sigma methods.