Alvin ChengClass of 99’

Gunn Engineering NightMay 14th, 2014

Silicon Valley

• Many options beyond dotcoms, even in the Silicon Valley!

• Look for something you enjoy doing

About me…

• Always liked mechanisms/machines• Was member of GRT and Auto shop• Earned B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from

UC Santa Barbara• Refuse to grow up, still playing with robots

and cars

About the other ME (Mechanical Engineering)…

• Anything that moves• Anything that generates/ dissipates heat• Anything that involves fluids • Anything that deals with material properties• ANY physical object

• Jointed Light-Tactical Vehicle (JLTV)– Humvee replacement program– $billions in business potential

• Test engineer– Tested various components designed for the vehicle –

Performance and Reliability– Systems test/integration

• Supported integrating and debugging Systems• Logged thousands of miles in vehicles• Managed a team of mechanics and engineers• Setup logistics to

transport and execute testing throughout the country

• Manufacturing/pre-delivery tests– Supported build, test and delivery of 13 vehicles in

West Point, MS– Validated systems requirements– Troubleshoot and repair

• Mechanical Process Engineer– Took three different instruments by Life

technologies from design to production

• Figured out best way to build units• Developed Assembly instructions• Design for manufacturing (DFM)• Trained Assemblers• Worked with designers and vendors to resolve

issues

I also make things

And I still play with robots…

And Cars…

Last words…• Pursue careers are you interested in– Do what you love and you’ll never work a day in your life…

I’m still looking…• Get as much hands-on experience as you can (Autoshop, GRT,

Tech Challenge, Internship)• Don’t be afraid to fail• Education is only part of the picture, does not replace

experience