Dana VanAntwerp
Decatur,IL
Summary
Engineer in the Decatur Met Lab with two and a half years’ experience in failure analysis and quality testing of components from the Large Wheel Loader, Large Mining Truck, and Wheel Tractor Scraper product lines. The broad and multidisciplinary nature of this work has helped me to develop excellent analytical, technical, and communication skills. I've greatly enjoyed collaborating with CPI project leaders and development engineers over the past years, and I look forward to the opportunity to further develop my leadership and engineering skills while diving deeper into this aspect of Cat’s business.
A note regarding my application: The lab manager listed in this application will retire in the coming days, but his replacement, Michael Sommer, is a long-time colleague who can answer any questions you may have.
Overview
4
4
years of professional experience
Work History
Dev & Research Engineer II/Metallurgical Analyst
Volt Design & Technical Services
Decatur, IL
07.2021 - Current
- Support CPI projects and other quality improvement initiatives by performing metallurgical and mechanical failure analysis onsite at Caterpillar’s Met Lab to identify the root cause of repeated part failures. Products analyzed include components from Large Wheel Loaders, Large Mining Trucks, and Wheel Tractor Scrapers.
- Conduct testing for the verification and validation of component quality, such as PPAPs and heat treat audits.
- Create test procedures, determine test requirements, analyze and interpret data, make recommendations, and report results for each analysis performed.
- Manage the development of multiple simultaneous projects (4+) from beginning to end while collaborating with engineers, technicians, and third-party machine shops to complete work in a timely and cost-effective manner.
- Lead engineering projects to improve quality, safety, velocity, and environmental compliance in the chem lab, including the design and implementation of a semi-automated static mixing system that improved the repeatability of water treatment results and eliminated ergonomic concerns.
- Own the creation and maintenance of Standard Work and Operating Procedures in multiple areas under the lab’s purview, including the Chem Lab, tensile testing, and debris analysis.
Research Assistant
The University Of Alabama In Huntsville
Huntsville, AL
08.2020 - 05.2021
- Processed and compiled data from mechanical and metallurgical testing conducted in the laboratory or by third parties.
- Performed testing on metallurgical test specimens including microphotography, Rockwell hardness testing, tensile testing, and Charpy impact testing.
Teaching Assistant
The University Of Alabama In Huntsville
Huntsville, AL
08.2019 - 05.2020
- Assisted the professor with classroom management, graded MATLAB and Python assignments, and tutored struggling students individually and in groups of up to 20.
- Took initiative by creating and moderating a server to facilitate online classes when quarantine began.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Alabama in Huntsville
Huntsville, AL05.2021
Skills
- Failure Analysis
- Root Cause Analysis
- Pre-Production Approval Testing
- Quality Control Testing
- Validation of Testing and Equipment
- Data Processing and Interpretation
- Leadership Over Multiple Concurrent Projects
- CAD
- MATLAB
- MS Excel
Timeline
Dev & Research Engineer II/Metallurgical Analyst
Volt Design & Technical Services
07.2021 - Current
Research Assistant
The University Of Alabama In Huntsville
08.2020 - 05.2021
Teaching Assistant
The University Of Alabama In Huntsville
08.2019 - 05.2020
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
University of Alabama in Huntsville