Damaris Sarria Toepel

Associate Technical Staff

Group 74: Engineering Analysis and Testing

My first day at Lincoln Laboratory, I started working on analysis of solder joints for electronic components. This is a fairly new area of expertise at the Lab. After developing a set of analyses to investigate these components, I ended up doing the analysis too. After that, my role changed—not so much focusing only on analysis, but the overall build and mechanical side of things. Now, I do more assembly, test, and integration, making sure that everything comes together, and understanding the phases of what we're building. It's a good balance between hands-on work, testing, and analysis. I don't think I would have had this opportunity elsewhere because in bigger companies, analysts are often tied to their desk, crunching numbers.

The Laboratory values thinking about how things could be improved. That has taught me to think differently. Instead of just following a procedure, I've learned to figure out if there are other ways to solve a problem. Instead of asking, "where is the answer," I try to arrive at an answer myself, and improve results by using novel approaches. Thinking "out of the box" is more of a habit since joining the Lab. New ideas are met with "alright, let's test it and see if it works." In my previous work experience outside the Lab, if you felt something was going wrong, there were a lot of procedures that you had to go through before you could test to see if an alternative approach would be better.

The Lab environment is also different than other places in that it truly places an importance on expanding knowledge and sharing expertise. I love the staff seminars—in just an hour you can learn about a new technology in many different disciplines. It's encouraging to see the Lab community as a whole in a filled-to-capacity auditorium. Daily contact with different divisions helps me better understand Lab capabilities.

In return, I'm changing the Lab by emphasizing effective communication. I help our team keep on track with our program timeline schedule. Constant review lets us question if the goals and deadlines are realistic or how we can improve based on day-to-day changes. Making sure that everyone is on the same page can help the program move along. Other than that, I'd like to get more people involved in outreach. It's important for us to share the exciting work we do with young people. I planned and coordinated "Wow! That's Engineering!" at the Lab with the help of the Society of Women Engineers. This event lets 100 sixth- to eighth-grade girls try different activities involving chemical, mechanical, electrical, materials, and even reverse engineering. Also, I enjoy being involved in college recruiting and helping the Lab reach out to diversity organizations.

I'm very happy with my job. I love what I'm doing—it's different and challenging. I feel I will always be learning new things, trying them out, and understanding new technology here at the Lab.

I am Damaris Sarria Toepel. I am Lincoln Laboratory.