Amber N Black

Experience

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  GKN Structures, Inc.

  May 2006 - Sept 2006

  Quality Engineering Intern

  * Developed original, electronic methods for use by the quality team in order to simplify quality control and ensure a superior product* Established a team for the development of updated work instructions* Implemented the recommendations of technicians for process simplification* Maintained the document control process

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  CCAT

  Dec 2006 - May 2009

  * Conducted laser research in a variety of disciplines, including drilling, marking, and welding* Generated hypotheses, procedures, and raw experimental data on laser processes* Assisted in the advancement of laser usage for aerospace applications* Used a variety of techniques to characterize laser beams, including beam diagnostics, high speed photography, metallography, etc.* Worked on laser application projects for a variety of companies in aerospace, defense, consumer, and electronics industries* Analyzed quantitative and qualitative data with the goal of developing a program to detect breakthrough acoustically, as well as improving hole quality* Ran the laser lab’s metallography and optical microscopy lab* Conducted purchasing for the lab projects Show less

  • Laser Applications Specialist

    May 2007 - May 2009

  • Energy Consultant

    Dec 2006 - May 2007
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  Penn State University

  Jun 2009 - Nov 2013

  NSF Graduate Research Fellow

  * Three year research fellowship entitled "Plasma Interaction with a Titanium Substrate during Laser Nitriding" * Focus on interactions between titanium and plasma without direct laser radiation* Working with Dr. Judith Todd and Dr. Stephen Copley as part of the Center for Multiscale Wave-Material Interactions in the Department of Engineering Science & Mechanics

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  PTR - Precision Technologies, Inc.

  Nov 2013 - Sept 2017

  Applications Engineer - Contract Welding

  * Usher new electron beam welding, local heat treatment, wire buildup, and unique metallurgical applications from concept or quotation stage through planning and development efforts to final product or production stages* Develop electron beam welding techniques for contract welding and machine sales* Communicate with customers, vendors, and PTR staff to ensure our understanding of the needs and wants for any new application and to meet those requirements* Assist a diverse clientele, including customers in the aerospace, power generation, oil & gas, semiconductor, electronics, defense, industrial, consumer goods, medical, research, and other industries, and understand the specifications, requirements, and needs regarding welding and associated processes for each of the industries* Lead research and development efforts for new product lines, including the LasVac, laser in vacuum welding platform* Perform final visual inspections on high-value welds as requested by the customer* Work with production control to select timelines and scheduling for proper product flow* Verify applications on new machine builds to provide a complete welding solution for customer product lines* Assess processed samples through metallography, hardness testing, and visual inspection* Provide expertise and weld assessment through phone, email, and on-site support, including answering questions regarding weld improvement and the principles of electron beam processing* Promote electron beam and laser vacuum technologies through technical presentations at national conferences and invited talks* Support the management of the contract welding department, including scheduling, personnel management, hiring, and budget Show less

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  University of Connecticut

  Jan 2015 - May 2015

  Adjunct Faculty Member

  Teaching MSE 3002 - Transport Phenomena in Materials Processing for 38 junior/senior-class undergraduates at the University of Connecticut.

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  Los Alamos National Laboratory

  Jul 2019 - now

  • Research And Development Engineer

    Oct 2017 - now

  • Team Leader, Welding & Joining, Sigma Division

    Jul 2019 - Oct 2020