Tarita BOTTENFIELD
Frederick,MD
Summary
With over 15 years of experience in the aerospace manufacturing environment, successfully leading teams at Northrop Grumman and NASA. Expertise in contamination control, mechanical applications, testing, and analytical analysis. Extensive experience in environmental testing for spacecraft vibration, centrifuge,and acoustic procedures, enhancing knowledge across all levels of spacecraft testing requirements. Combining background in testing with previous roles as a mechanical assembler and fabricator, possessing a comprehensive QA perspective and deep appreciation for designs and overall quality. Known for improving team efficiency and implementing innovative methodologies, leadership and technical skills have played a significant role in advancing aerospace engineering standards. Familiarity with ASTM specifications and NASA standards for testing methods, mechanical production, and fabrication ensures seamless understanding and successful project outcomes. Proven ability to quickly learn and adapt to new situations, eager to contribute professional skill sets both independently and collaboratively within a team environment.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
2
2
Certification
Work History
Sr. Structural Test Engineering Tech
Peraton/ NASA Goddard
07.2023 - Current
- Acting control commander for Centrifuge testing
- Helps implement scheduling for technicians
- Lean manufacturing principles and 5S tracking for team members to adhere by
- Modal testing using force hammer
- Supports Vibration and Acoustic testing using M+P software
- Instrumentation of accelerometers, Axis transformations from directional installation to spacecraft coordinates
- Knowledge of data acquisition systems
- Soldering of strain gauges
- Creates documentation for training procedures
- Instrumented test items using scales, calipers, torque wrenches, and calibrated tools
Test Lab Supervisor/Lead Technician
Northrop Grumman
01.2018 - 07.2023
- Delivered timely updates on test progress to project managers and engineers
- Streamlined workflows by regularly reviewing lab operations for potential inefficiencies or areas requiring optimization
- Improved safety measures within the lab by conducting regular job hazard assessments
- Maintained detailed documentation of all tests performed, supporting traceability and thorough record-keeping practices.
- MES proficiency
- Planned weekly team schedules and priorities dependent on program needs to help ensure on time deliveries
- Created schedules and assigned techs to testing and mechanical assembling based on individual skills
- SQDEC, 5s, FOD, and lean manufacturing principles
- Substantial knowledge of aerospace composites, bonding adhesives both film and paste, epoxies, and chemical solvents
- Composed weekly titrations for spacecraft chemical conversion coatings
- Daily use of calibrated tools including, but not limited to, torque wrenches, calipers, micrometers, A/D durometers, pycnometer, pressure gauges
- Resistivity testing using milliohm meter
- Vacuum bagging techniques
- Trained test technicians and operators on test hardware and software
- Operated MTS and Instron structural testing machines to collect data during tension, compression, and 3-point bend tests using different load cells. BlueHill and TestWorks software
- Authored and maintained well-organized and successful investigative test cases for entire team with a QA perspective
- Well experienced in analytical chemistry using equipment such as Gas Chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and GCMS
- Supported contamination control programs by adhering to spacecraft cleanliness levels and method processing requirements such as, but not limited to, swab analyses and NVR's.
- Certified different classes of cleanrooms through particulate analysis
- Analyzed both gas and liquid phases of ammonia as well as helium leak checks for heat pipes in spacecraft panels
- Daily use of gasses such as helium, nitrogen, ethane, and ammonia
- Measured optical and thermal properties to ensure spacecraft requirements for solar absorptance, reflectance, and transmittance of materials
- Executed the testing processes by accurately interpreting set-up sheets, work orders, drawings, or blueprints
- Communicated to outside vendors for reasons of equipment calibration or general parts maintenance
Bioelectrical Fabricator and Test Tech
Microprobes For Life Sciences
01.2018 - 07.2018
- Fabricated implantable neural microelectrodes, multi-channel arrays, and related systems for all types of electrophysiology studies both in vivo and in vitro, chronic and acute
- Impedance testing
- Soldered custom length of each microelectrode of array, down to 25 micron in diameter
- Attended training to gain knowledge of program needs for test failure diagnosis and repair
Electrical Mechanical and Composite Tech
MicroUAV
04.2009 - 01.2018
- Investigated electrical malfunctions with multimeter and calibration test instruments to determine problems and apply solutions
- Assembled lightweight Infra-Red and Electro-optical gimbaled camera motor assemblies for use in Military Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (Primarily RQ-16 Honeywell T-Hawk)
- Troubleshot and repair of camera units which have received damage in the field
- Tested configuration of electronic systems for company-built UAV’s
- Designed and constructed jigs and special tools to help facilitate assembly production and fabrication of unmanned air vehicles
- Fabricated precision prototype parts that meet the company’s requirements for complex assemblies
- Met with customers to ensure design specifications were met
- Composite specialist for all hands-on assembly builds from start to finish
- Professional using methods of pre and wet lay up using fiberglass, carbon fiber, kevlar, milled fibers, including different epoxies and aerospace approved adhesives
- Substantial knowledge and experience working with chemical solvents
- Inspected machine parts for conformance to product specifications
- Operated wide variety of equipment including hand and power tools, sanders, grinders, drill press, fordham drill shaft, arbor press, ban saw, precision measuring instruments, template fixtures, electronic testing devices, buffing wheels, Dremel’s, rivet shavers, ect
- Designed and written instructions for system of process for production procedures
Education
Certificate - Spectroscopy
Thermo Fisher Scientific
2019
Certificate - Gas Chromatography
Shimadzu
2018
Skills
- Mechanical and Structural Analysis - 10 years
- OMNIC, LabVIEW, MP, BlueHill, TestWorks
- Instrumentation setup
- Contamination Control Best Practices and Standards - 8 years
- Analytical Analysis - 8 years
- Team Leadership - 8 years
- Leadership skills
- Fabrication
- Hand and power tools
- Sandblasting techniques
- Adhesive bonding
- Soldering techniques
- Attention to detail
- Assembly and production
- Manufacturing
Certification
- RST SSDIF
- NASA ESD
- NASA Cleanroom
- FAll protection
- LDE Self propelled
Work Preference
Work Type
Full TimeWork Location
On-SiteImportant To Me
Career advancementWork-life balanceCompany CultureTimeline
Sr. Structural Test Engineering Tech
Peraton/ NASA Goddard
07.2023 - Current
Test Lab Supervisor/Lead Technician
Northrop Grumman
01.2018 - 07.2023
Bioelectrical Fabricator and Test Tech
Microprobes For Life Sciences
01.2018 - 07.2018
Electrical Mechanical and Composite Tech
MicroUAV
04.2009 - 01.2018
Certificate - Spectroscopy
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Certificate - Gas Chromatography
Shimadzu
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