Anne Baye Ericksen

 

ENGINEERS WORKING IN CONSUMER ELECTRONICS KNOW WHAT THE NEXT MUST-HAVE ITEM IS BECAUSE THEY'RE THE ONES DESIGNING IT

 

Were you among the 13 million consumers who purchased a new iPhone 6s or iPhone 6s Plus when they were released last tall? Or are you more excited to swap your smartphone tor a smart watch?

 

After all, wearable technology has been one of the biggest consumer trends in recent years. According to the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA), more than 20 million units of health and fitness devices were sold last year, totaling nearly $2 billion.

 

There’s no denying the broad appeal these kinds of gadgets generate, but there’s so much more to the world of consumer electronics than just phones, watches and exercise trackers. For example, CEA reported the home technology segment racked up more than $960 million in 2015, and the drone market is the top electronic toy for the adult crowd, more than doubling revenue in one year. So if you’re looking to make an immediate impact on people’s everyday lives as a technical professional, then you’d be hard pressed to find more diverse opportunities than those offered in the field of consumer electronics.

 

RAJESHWAR BISHUNDEO, TYCO SECURITY

 

Every time you leave home you want to be assured your belongings are safe during your absence. It wasn’t that long ago that home security consisted of deadbolts and window locks. That approach is definitely a thing of the past; today’s security systems use cameras and sensors. They’re also about programmable services, such as turning on lights remotely.

 

What’s more, home owners want security technology to record evidence in the unfortunate event of an intrusion. An online survey by Harris Poll indicates that 93 percent of Americans believe home security systems should alert authorities.

 

“There’s been an evolution in security,” says Rajeshwar Bishundeo, software manager for Tyco Security Products, based in Westford, MA. “Homeowners are more techsavvy. They want to see what is going on in their homes with systems that can be customized to their life - styles. That’s driving our industry.”

 

Of course, technological developments in other industries drive new product offerings, too.

 

“The Internet of things (IoT) is the biggest thing for consumer products right now. Mobile app design is complimentary to that, as well, because there are multi-faceted sensors in security systems and more advanced mobile applications,” Bishundeo says.

 

In many ways his career has mirrored the evolution of home security technology. When he graduated in 2002 with a degree in electrical engineering, the job market was extremely tight. Bishundeo realized his first professional position would re quire a readjustment of his expectations. In stead of jumping right into coding and programming, he accepted a tech support entry-level position with Tyco.

 

“When I interviewed here, I wondered if it had anything to do with electronics or software designing,” he admits. “But I looked at it as getting my foot in the door. I saw tech support as a way to work with the products, learn how the products work and apply my knowledge from a customer perspective.”

 

As Bishundeo gained greater appreciation for the products and customers’ needs, he also gained confidence in how he wanted his career to proceed. With the support and encouragement of managers, Bishundeo accepted an internship in the software unit in addition to his tech support duties. The nontraditional move not only exposed Bishundeo to the work software developers were creating, but put his capabilities on display for decision-makers to assess.

 

“The director acknowledged I had the skills. He said, ‘We need you full-time. You’re qualified and an asset to the team.’ That’s how I got into software development,” Bishundeo recalls.

 

Having advanced from tech support to management not only has given Bishundeo an intimate knowledge of the company’s product line, but also a first-hand experience of how it supports professional growth. He now draws on that knowledge to assist team members.

 

“If you just want to write code, that’s okay,” he advises. “But as you evolve within your path or gain experiences and are more exposed to other areas of the product development cycle, you’ll see more components, such as the business elements that affect the course of a project. As that piques your interest, you can decide whether you wish to go down a technical path or a business path. We offer both options to all individuals who come up through the ranks of software, and we drive them toward their goals.”

 

YUSHAN TZENG, GOODMAN GLOBAL GROUP

 

Thanks to the popularity of home remodeling television programs, homeowners and designers have cultivated a high-end appreciation for sleek appliances, including washers and dryers, ranges and refrigerators. After all, these machines sometimes anchor a kitchen design and command a focal point. Meanwhile, other home appliances, such as air conditioning units, garner less attention. They oftentimes fall prey to the out-of-sight/out-of-mind category; that is until temperatures climb to uncomfortable levels, or there’s a malfunction, or it’s time to replace an outdated unit.

 

However, as a design engineer for Goodman Manufacturing, a division of Goodman Global Group Inc., Yushan Tzeng spends her days contemplating the inner workings of residential air conditioners, along with the company’s other product lines featuring light commercial air conditioning, heating and indoor air quality products and systems.

 

“[I’m] responsible for product development, unit performance testing/certification, design and production transition and product sustainability,” she explains.

 

Tzeng joined the manufacturer three years ago, thus fulfilling a long-held desire to create technology that impacts a broad audience.

 

“I’ve always been fascinated by those engineers or scientists who are able to invent devices or machines using the cutting-edge technologies,” she explains. “Being an engineer is the best way I know of to realize and live my dream.”

 

In addition to being hands-on in the designing process, Tzeng functions as project manager, overseeing many of the logistical details.

 

“I work with cross-functional groups to ensure project schedules and readiness is delivered prior to product launch and volume production,” she notes.

 

Project management is also where she encounters most of the challenging aspects of her job.

 

“Being a project manager, [I have to] ensure all tasks are on track, present milestones and updates to management, [and] maintain good communication,” says Tzeng, whose organizational and multitasking skills are often put to good use.

 

What hasn’t been a challenge for Tzeng is feeling at home within the company. At first she worked in Goodman’s Fayetteville, TN facility. Although she was prepared to tackle the workload and technical requirements, the semi-rural community of 7,000 presented a much different vibe than to what she had become accustomed while living and working in Washington, DC.

 

“I was greatly welcomed by a small town where I was the only Taiwanese employee. Not only were they very friendly and welcoming, but they treated me as family. That helped tremendously to get my work up to speed and settle my life in a new, unfamiliar place,” she remembers.

 

Then two years ago, Tzeng transferred to corporate headquarters in Houston, TX where she found a more diverse, but equally accepting work family.

 

“In my workplace there are people from all over the world, such as Taiwan, China, India, Japan, Mexico, Egypt and Middle Eastern countries,” says Tzeng. “It makes my workplace a friendly and open-minded environment where people respect and embrace different cultures.”

 

Perhaps the most surprising aspect of working on large home appliances is the reaction Tzeng receives from family, friends and acquaintances when they learn of her position.

 

“[They] all think that if the AC stops running, I must be able to climb up to the roof and identify any problem immediately,” she laughs.

 

ED WARD, DELL

 

Growing up in the late 1970s, Ed Ward was fascination by new technology, especially video games.

 

“I loved playing video games, but these were not the video games of today,” he recalls. “I had to go to an arcade and pay to play.”

 

While Ward was willing to sacrifice his allowance on Centipede and Asteroids, it turned out to be an expensive habit, at least exceeding the weekly income his parents allotted. If he wanted to indulge in the arcade offerings, then Ward needed to find a way to supplement his cash flow.

 

“I had to cut lawns, which I did not love to do,” he remembers.

 

So when Ward saw someone playing a game on an Apple II computer while in high school, he had an epiphany.

 

He explained that you can program computers to do things. To me, that meant there was a possibility I could play video games for free and be relieved of the need to mow lawns,” he explains.

 

What Ward didn’t consider at the time was that he had stumbled upon his future profession. He went on to study electrical engineering and computer science in college. After graduation he built his résumé working for some of the biggest names in computers, including Dell Inc.

 

Based in Round Rock, TX, the technology company helped define the personal computer market, and Ward has played a role in many of its game-changing innovations, including desktop and work station engineering, Ultra Mobile Notebook and Note book Systems. At the mo ment he serves as vice president of engineering, commercial PCs, tablets, Chrome and IoT solutions.

 

“I’m responsible for worldwide engineering and development of Dell’s commercial client product lines. This consists of Latitude notebooks, OptiPlex desktops, Precision work stations, Venue Pro Tab lets and IoT products,” he says.

 

Even after 20 years with the company, Ward remains intrigued and impressed with the work and corporate culture.

 

“I joined Dell in 1995 when we had 7,000 employees and $1 billion in revenue. In those days it wasn’t unusual to see Michael Dell roaming the hallways. I also remember thinking, ‘Wow! My co-workers are incredibly smart and passionate about getting stuff done.’ So my first impression was that Dell really had the energy of a startup,” remembers Ward.

 

“In some ways things have changed because we’ve grown from 7,000 to more than 100,000 employees,” he continues. “But, at the same time, we are true to our assertion that we’re the ‘world’s biggest start-up.’ Our team members are still high performers and focused on winning.”

 

As the ranks swelled, workforce diversity also grew, which Ward has come to value both professionally and personally.

 

He explains, “To me, diversity is more than just cultural or ethnic or intrinsic; it’s also about thought,” he explains. “I work with people who have vastly different backgrounds. This makes me confident that, when we all come to the table, we have so many different ways of looking at things that we come up with the best solutions to move forward with.”

 

Personally, Ward expanded his network through the Black Employee Resource Group, one of many internal shared-interests organizations at Dell.

 

“We have 800 global members of our group and we focus on events and campaigns for networking and relationship building across the organization. I am impressed by our growing and evolving commitment to diversity, but this spirit has been something that has shaped my opinion of Dell throughout my entire career here,” he concludes.

 

LEI BENNETT, FLIR SYSTEMS

 

Remember when digital cameras first hit the retail market? They were pricey. When plasma televisions debuted, they also registered at the higher end of the price scale. But go shopping for any of these electronic devices now and you’ll see that the prices have dropped significantly so the average consumer can afford them.

 

It’s this type of phenomenon that often introduces high-tech gear to the general public. More recent examples include the highly popular drone aircrafts or night vision for hunters and outdoor enthusiasts.

 

“I remember when I started at FLIR in 2004, the cheapest thermal camera was more than $5,000,” notes Lei Bennett, director of product development in the Global Product Strategy Group for FLIR Systems Inc. “Today the starting price for a thermal camera is $249. This price point enabled thermal imaging cameras to become a consumer electronics product. An important element of achieving this price point is the engineering work needed to make manufacturable designs cost-effective.”

 

FLIR Systems Inc., headquartered in Wilsonville, OR, began designing infrared imaging systems for airborne applications nearly 40 years ago. Initially, its customer base con consisted of large institutions, such as the military or research endeavors. But as technologies advanced, the company’s engineering experts were able to apply that knowledge to FLIR products, which resulted in building a much larger appeal. FLIR continues to design for military and research applications, but its current customer demographics also include individuals who want enhanced perception for personal use and as a component of a larger security system.

 

“When I started, I knew that FLIR was the leading company in the field of infrared (IR) imaging. I feel FLIR has distinguished itself as a company by the ability to remain innovative and offer a broad array of products and to address many different applications. This has allowed FLIR to remain a leader despite rising competition,” says Bennett.

 

That’s also the mission on which she relies for her work in product development.

 

“My primary responsibility is to help plan the strategy and oversee the execution of product development for new markets in IR imaging. This includes managing the internal and outsourced product development teams required to bring new products to market, and developing strategic collaboration with critical partners/customers,” she explains.

 

Bennett must also contemplate how to incorporate existing and technological advances into new products.

 

“For example, smartphone app design has a big influence on our products,” she states. “The popularity and versatility of smartphones make them a logical choice for interfacing with our products for both hardware configuration and image viewing. Consequently, most of the new products I am working on require the development of apps to accompany the launch into the market.”

 

Bennett hasn’t always worked in product development. In fact, she’s performed as both an application and systems engineer before moving into project management, then product development. Earlier on Bennett believed focusing on these areas better suited her education and experience. However, she realized they didn’t necessarily fan her professional passions as much as she thought they would.

 

“Deep in my heart I enjoy strategy planning and product/ project management,” she explains. “I do not regret my time as a systems engineer, because of all the technical strengths that [the] role helped me develop. However, I needed to make the change to product/project management in order to feel passionate about the work I do. This is very important,” she notes.