FM specializes in producing parts for semiconductor equipment. At this location, we machine, anodize, and ceramic coat wafer chambers. The accuracy, precision, and appearance of these parts is highly critical - one chip in the coating will doom the part to the scrap pile.I'm the engineer for the coating department, where I've learned, documented, and tweaked processes to help operators and prevent part contamination. I also inspect parts for compliance and microscopically qualify them via cross-section.I'm highly involved with the metallography lab, where I've become an expert using optical, confocal, and scanning electron microscopes. I use a range of instruments to qualify our coatings and ensure they're within spec to the part drawings. I update procedures and I push for continuous process improvements.

Thin Film Metrology - The tools owned by my team optically measure and analyze film thicknesses and critical dimensions during the semiconductor chip manufacturing process. These metrology tools essentially monitor the accuracy and precision of the other machines in the fab.My favorite part of the job is corresponding with technicians and suppliers to monitor unplanned and preventative maintenance to ensure optimal tool uptime. I monitor these tools for consistency using Statistical Process Control and I collect logs from tools for analysis. I have made Power BI dashboards to visualize SPC data, error logs, and tool alarms. I've been focusing on ergonomic safety recently. I've found a real knack for writing simple scripts! When each instrument has like six computers and firewalls getting in the way, it takes a little script yoga just to move files around. One such script saves multiple engineering hours per month, reducing the need for a $2M fleet management server! I've also been getting into a bit of machine automation - learning Microsoft Power Automate has been so much fun. I'm also learning to use ChatGPT to aid in my scripting adventures.

Formulated, applied, and tested waterborne coatings on glass, wood, metal, concrete, and other substrates. I was a member of our Environmental Health and Safety Committee and additionally performed the role of Chemical Hygiene Officer. This position harbored my passion for lab/plant chemical safety, storage, and disposal. I also performed routine maintenance and calibration on lab testing equipment.

Helped families navigate the difficulties involved with planning, financing, and installing residential solar systems. Did in-home consultations with homeowners. Really cool experience, great company, but I didn't find the success I had hoped for, considering the "circumstances" at the time.

At this small company, I wore many hats. I worked with chemical suppliers and technical advisors to formulate coatings for common and unique substrates including glass candle votives, phone cases, and flower bulbs. I also tested these materials for hardness, scratch resistance, chemical resistivity, and many other properties. I authored technical and safety data sheets for the products I formulated and often acted as a technical point-of-contact for customers. I toured multiple coating lines during customer site visits, and fell in love with manufacturing environments.

Led two groups of 24 students through hour long recitation periods followed by three hour lab experiments

Lab TA for 6 semestersFacilitated good laboratory techniques and safety with groups of about 20 studentsDemonstrated correct apparatus usageProvided free group tutoring

Funded by the National Science Foundation's Research Experience for Undergraduates programFormulated and performed mechanical and chemical tests on epoxy polymers for use in anti-corrosive primers

Performed multiple quality control tests on unwaxed, waxed, and dewaxed paperTensile strength, stiffness, smoothness, porosity, Mullen (pop strength), etcPerformed manual labor when requested