Quantum Design is the world's leading manufacturer of automated material characterization test equipment for R&D applications. Their systems perform measurements between <0.05K to 1000K, and magnetic fields up to 16T. Quantum Design is a low volume, high tech manufacturing company.My focus in this role has been to lead the development of a new product. This effort includes writing the embedded software using c++ to control a sensor and analyze the resulting data using both Python and c++.I have also enjoyed working on building a Python module to provide our customers with the ability to automate their data collection by writing their own Python. The package, called MultiPyVu, can be installed using pip, and using a few simple commands, people can control the temperature and magnetic field of their cryostat, and can save their data in the industry standard MultiVu format.

I led a group of 12 technical staff consisting of PhD physicists, electrical engineers, mechanical engineers, product engineers, and software engineers. I focused on building a positive environment to allow the team to reach their maximum potential. The department’s primary goals were to maintaining our shipping product lines, continual process improvements, as well as obtaining and maintaining safety certifications such as CE approvals. We led the company in troubleshooting manufacturing issues throughout the product life cycle. In addition to cryogenics products, our group also led the manufacturing of the Magnetic Immuno-Chromatographic Test for MagnaBioSciences, LLC. This biotechnology device provides rapid immunoassays of a variety of biochemical samples. One of the process improvements that I initiated while leading the team was to improve the manufacturability of a module that measures DC electrical resistance over twelve orders of magnitude. I led a focus team to reduce common non-conformance issues and simplify the hardware to reduce machining costs and simplify assembly, testing, and calibration. The project resulted in an estimated $500 savings per unit (about $27k per year).

As the supervisor for the Electromechanical Test Department, I had numerous roles, starting with leading the daily operations to ensure that the functionality of components are thoroughly tested and have no faults before they are assembled into a shipping system. I led a diverse team consisting of engineers and operations technicians, and I focused on building a positive environment to allow the team to reach their maximum potential. The Electromechanical Test Department not only tested and troubleshot components, but also led the company’s efforts in continual improvement of processes. I led numerous Tiger Teams for targeted improvements in product quality and manufacturability. I also led the Operations Software Engineers to write and maintain a uniform software package for automated testing and calibration of electrical components. - Led the development and release of a new software package for automated component functionality testing. - Led a team of physicists, electrical, mechanical, and firmware engineers which oversaw an increase in quality demonstrated by a 50% reduction in non-conformance issues for our magnet power supplies.- In the first two years of leading the department, I oversaw an average of 67% reduction in instrument module failures.

I was the project manager for the company's R&D efforts in developing superconducting magnets. My emphasis was to bring these products out of the laboratory and into production. - Cognitive engineer for Quantum Design's superconducting magnet technology. Led a group of engineers in designing high-field magnets (3, 7, 9, and 14 Tesla) for use in Quantum Design's flagship products. Utilizing my project management skills in conjunction with my R&D background I led our team in developing the in-house magnet production procedures and processes for vertical integration and control.- I led continual improvement in processes for the magnet production lines. I identified and enacted numerous improvements toward streamlining production and improve product quality. Through a focus on action and results, I led our team to a throughput increase of over 108% in my first year, with an additional 133% improvement during my second year. This resulted in annual savings to the company of over $130,000 per year.- Identified savings in the magnet production process which led to a savings of 40% per magnet and reduced the process time from months to weeks.- I was the project lead for a new product which magnetically purifies clay. This product was centered around a 6 Tesla large bore magnet, with the capacity to purify 10,000 tonnes of clay per year. My leadership successfully took this idea through the R&D phase to a shipping system. As the project leader, I identified the risks and mitigating solutions, and communicated the required activities to the development team. We ensured all of the components of the Magnetic Separator were documented, I wrote the manual for the system, and worked with the sales team for marketing the new product.- I was the project manager for developing new magnet winding table tooling, which was a key tool used toward increasing productivity.

- Implement “5S” methodology (Sort, Straighten, Standardize, Shine, and Sustain).- Lead quarterly safety training for the engineering department.- Facilitate lab reorganization as needed.- Perform monthly lab inspections.- Schedule and host lab-cleanups.

Early stage silicon solar cell startup where I used my process engineering expertise to direct a team that successfully developed a process for manufacturing economical silicon substrates for thin-film silicon solar cells. This work was accomplished within one year, in which time I became an expert in DC thermal spraying, with emphasis on silicon depositions. My expertise was exemplified through multiple conference presentations, as well as writing an invited paper for International Thermal Spray & Surface Engineering. I also provided technical leadership on our solar cell design, metrology, tools, and management. - Project manager and senior process engineer for Senergen’s DC thermal spraying of silicon, one of the three key processes for the company's product. Managed a small group of engineers, technicians, and consultants. Launched, executed, and analyzed DOE experiments to improve deposition efficiency. Developed cost of ownership models, which I used as an aid during R&D and process development.- Characterized substrate quality through its microstructure, density, bowing, and chemical composition (SIMS, LA ICP-MS, GD-MS, SEM and EDX).- Led the solar cell device fabrication and electrical characterization laboratory. This included decisions for metrology purchases and training of the technicians.- As a leader of the company, I motivated the engineers and technicians through challenging projects. I reported directly to the CEO, and communicated progress, current limitations, and future tool requirements to the Board of Directors.

My leadership was recognized throughout my tenure as I was awarded the principal investigator responsible for several research grants. These research projects involved magnetic and electrical transport measurements of materials under extreme conditions, such as ultra-high pressures (>1 million atmospheres) and low temperatures (between 2K and room temperature), which includes years of experience with vacuum equipment. Due to my strong organizational skills, I was asked to lead a weekly seminar series and recruited four speakers each week.- Discovered novel phenomena such as fundamental magnetic properties of the rare earth elements and intimate links between atomic structure and electronic behavior of metals.- Organized R&D among multi-national laboratories and supervised teams to investigate materials under extreme conditions. Established collaborations with Cambridge, Harvard, and SPring-8 in Japan.- As the Principal investigator of multiple grants, successfully allocated the funds for all of these projects within the required budget (managed up to $555k), and presented the results in peer reviewed publications, conferences, and invited talks.- My research was featured in the popular press (Reuters, “Scientists Seek to Forge Diamond Computer Chip,” and interview with an Australian radio station) as well as a college text book on geophysics.- Executed hydrodynamic computer simulations in conjunction with designing experiments to understanding the critical failure diameter of new explosives for the Department of Defense.- Held a Department of Energy Q-Clearance.

Assembled and developed a low temperature experimental facility at LLNL within less than two years, greatly expanding the laboratory’s scientific capabilities. I led the effort to implement a novel technique for AC magnetic susceptibility measurements in a diamond anvil cell using “designer” diamonds.- Responsible for leading the R&D efforts which included planning and executing experiments, as well as analyzing and publishing the results.- Presented the information at international conferences. - Principal Investigator for a $75k research grant, “Small sample heat capacity under high pressure.”