Ted's Employment Biography
In the Beginning

This comprehensive biography is an account of my work-experience responsibilities in greater detail. I spent the last 40 years meticulously putting this employment biography together. Starting by writing my resumes as early as 1982 when first entered the tech-industry job market. Never filled out a job application, I was always hired as a temp worker on contract thru what they called back then, job shops (temp agencies). It was the preferred way for nonprofessional workers like myself to start in the industry back then. I use to joke about calling myself an employment whore and the job-shop recruiter was my pimp.

Back in the early 80s after I was honorably discharged from the U.S. Navy and did a short stint as a jet mechanic in the civil service, I was lucky enough to have my brother Pete help me get a job as an entry-level draftsman. I had no experience except for a couple of drafting classes in high school.

Being a cold war veteran seemed to help as at that period the nation was in a cold war with Russia and China and technology in the Silicon Valley was centered around national defense and homeland security. Major industries thriving in the valley were satellite communications because of president Ronald Reagan’s Star Wars agenda. Technology in satellites to detect incoming ballistic threats and the ability to shoot them down. Major companies like Lockheed and FMC were buzzing with work and money to burn that trickled down to the smaller companies in their support. It was easy at that time to find a job.

At the same time the Internet was being developed as a means of electronic communications between military installations and missile silos. That’s how I remember it began. Eventually this technology was adopted for public use as open source for the private sector to expand and flourish. This started the Dot-Com boom. First there was intercompany communications thru email, then intercommunications thru modems for home to work communications. Then private domains like AOL (America On-Line) and Netscape for social online communications thru email. Eventually major retail companies expanded to shopping online and all hell broke loose and the Dot-Com boom turned into the big-bang like a tsunami.

As the Dot-Com tsunami was beginning to pick up speed the cold war was coming to an end. The Iron-Curtain between East and West Germany was being torn down and the Soviet Union was breaking up into different republics. this was in 1991 and it seemed that Reagan won competition to see who could out do the other technology-wise. So many of the defense related tech-companies started cutting back as the money dried up from uncle Sam. Work was becoming more competitive. To stay alive in this industry you have to adapt to change or get left behind.

Engineering drafting-design was changing as well, migrating from drawing on the drafting table to drawing on the computer with CAD, Computer-Aided Design. The most popular program was Autocad. Some of the old-time designers didn’t like computers and refused to change. Which reinforced the adage at the time “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks”. I think that many of them were just set in their own ways where they were more proficient and comfortable. Not me, I loved computers.

I must admit it was slow going at first and it would take longer to create a drawing on CAD then it did to manually draw it by hand. There was a rift between old time designers and young new engineers who claim that CAD will someday do away with the need for draftsmen and designers. This pissed some of the old timers off because you're talking about their livelihood. Being a younger guy enthusiastic about learning how to use computers I didn’t mind all the chatter. I just kept to myself and learned as I went along to see how things turn out. I would say to the old-timers “what better person to create drawings on the computer than the draftsman and designers themselves. That turned out to be so true.

There’s more to engineering drawings then just knowing how to draw engineering sketches on a PC. There are drawing standards set in place so that companies can communicate effectively with the U.S. government and other countries. There are drawing standards for machinists and fabricators as well. The bottom line is to achieve proper engineering communications so instructions are understood clearly and everyone is on the same page. You couldn’t just throw everything on a drawing and expect everyone to read your mind on how to build something. This was something most engineers were frustrated with cause all they wanted to do was engineer something so they left the drawing standards to the designers and drafters, and that’s how things turned out in the industry.  So, the collaboration between engineering and design continued.


Silicon Valley
An ESTABLISHED CULTURE: With a reputation for hi-tech the Silicon Valley continues to amaze the world with creative innovations. Where other parts of the country are known for steel workers, auto workers and so on, the Silicon Valley is known for it's hi-tech culture and attracts some of the brightest tech professionals from around the world. Companies establish businesses here to tap into that resource. It's phenomenal how this valley continues to culture an environment of cutting edge technology.

Living in this culture, you can literally feel the innovative synergy encompassing the entire San Francisco Bay Area. This inventive spirit comes from a proud history of entrepreneurial growth. Many of the locals claim it originated out of Stanford University with student entrepreneurs like Hewlett & Packard, the Varian brothers, and Jay Watkins of Watkins & Johnson. These entrepreneurs ventured out into the valley starting out of garages and eventually establishing multimillion dollar business campuses. Palo Alto, the city that surrounds Stanford University, boasts about the famous garages where Apple and Google got their start. Facebook corporate headquarters located right next door in Menlo Park, and Tesla is across the bay in Fremont, both within the boundaries of the Bay Area and the Silicon Valley. The Silicon Valley truly is the high-tech capital of the world and I'm glad to have been a part of it.
About Me
ABOUT ME: Native born Californian raised in the Silicon Valley. I'm an accomplished Technical Design Specialist with a background in R&D. Instrumental in developing solutions to complex design problems with many years of success in product development, conceptual design, vendor fabrication, and the manufacturing process.

I have the technical skills and experience to quickly understand any situation in the engineering design environment. I add value through innovative thinking and problem solving and comfortable throughout the entire spectrum of the R&D process. My experience extends across conceptual brainstorming, to the manufacturing process, and product release to market and customers.

The diversity of my experience emanates from various company disciplines for example, the semiconductor industry, medical systems and devices, bio-tech pharmaceuticals, military defense, life sciences, and consumer products. I specialize in overall systems design, reverse engineering, NPI new product integration, manufacturing, and sustaining engineering. Have dabbled in Civil Engineering infrastructures, mechanical HVAC, piping and instrumentation Diagrams, P&ID's. If you work in the Silicon Valley long enough you will be exposed to different technologies and gradually evolve with new scientific discoveries and technology. The most treasured asset to a company in the tech-industry is a tech-workers knowledge and experience.
Skills


So grateful for the opportunity to learn and accumulate so many hi-tech skills. It has taken me 3+ decades to amass these capabilities. Valuable experience with computer competance that continuously evolves thru the ages as technology improved. My proficiency has grown to a professional extent with confidence.

With these computer skills I was fortunate to cross over to different working environments. The diversity of my experiences spans from working for military defense, semiconductor fabrication and equipment companies, medical devices and capital equipment, civil engineering companies, and even solar thermal and high-end home renovations. Thru each working environment my computer skills were a blessing to adapt in the direction of my responsibilities to fulfill company needs and requirements.

Even though, I experienced a lot of stress, anxiety, depression, and humility, I was fortunate enough to learn new skills, gain more knowledge, and acquired valuable experience. Real wealth is in Knowledge gained and that can never be taken away from you.

UX Design & Research:

Technical Publications:

CAD-Engineering:

CAD-Architectural:

Employment History



As I reflect over the years working as a contractor I had my fill of stress, politics, and discrimination. Not all was bad, I also had my share of good times, friendships and most important of all, gaining experience that stayed with me through the rest of my career. Experience is like education, it can never be taken away from you.

Layoffs were dreadful early in my career, as I progressed and gained more knowledge and experience I had no fear of layoffs knowing that I had the skills and training to land another job. Sometimes I looked at layoffs as taking a break or a chance for vacation and relaxation. Didn't fear finding another job until I really needed the income.

Senior years were a bit more challenging experiencing discrimination towards my age. Companies would rather hire young entry level candidates for less pay than an old timer like myself.

In the Silicon Valley you're considered a dinosaur after the age of 40. Nevertheless I treated each contract assignment that ended as opportunity and a notch on my pistol barrel shooting for the next assignment. I looked forward to the next working adventure.

SUMMARY OF EXPERIENCE:

July 2019 to present Honolulu Bohemian
Moved to the Honolulu Arts District - Chinatown, to pursue my passion for the digital arts as an artist-designer, and continue my research in behavioral graphics communications. Was approved by the Hawaiian Arts & Performing Arts committee for an art studio lease at the Chinatown Artists lofts and granted by the Board of Directors Kim Taylor Reese for participation in the Mark's Garage art exhibitions and the First Friday Events on Hotel Street. Unfortunately, due to the Covid-19 pandemic, productivity was hindered with economic set backs, and is just now starting to come back., summer 2021.



Freelance Digital Designer
APR 2018 - July 2019
Vallejo California
Every now and then, companies that I have worked for would call me for work on small jobs,
including Medical Artwork, Animated Gifs, Event Flyers, Logos, Clip Art, and Home renovations. Lately I have not been called for work since January of 2020 and I can only presume it's because of the Coronavirus pandemic.

As a designer at biotech pharmaceutical companies it was my responsibility to create product handling labels to meet industry regulations conforming to FDA and GMPs requirements. I also produced packing and shipping labels to meet international standards of foreign countries.

At manufacturing companies my responsibilities have included creating artwork for product serial number name plates, safety handling, and hazardous materials, to name a few, and product labels that direct proper operational application.


DRB Homes
Dec 2017 - APR 2018
CAD Artist, architectural-residential designer
Location: Alamo California
Assisted team with residential designs, renderings, and floor plans for high end residential renovations.
Drawings were created with CAD program Chief Architect.


Heliodyne Inc. (Solidworks, Autocad, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Dreamweaver)
Mar 2016 – Oct 2017
Engineering Design & Documentation Specialist
Location: Richmond California
Oversee and organize subsystem level activities.
Develop and design precision system weldment frames, sheet metal panels and brackets, and electronic control system assemblies.
Design and develop plumbing and piping diagrams and assemblies.
Work with Solidworks CAD in the design of assemblies.
Prepare design documentation including drawings, models, specifications and production release documents.
Create, approve, revise and maintain design documentation.
Develop and recommend alternative design approaches.
Identify product development innovations and develop, quote, and implement solutions to meet technical requirements and requests.
Assist in the vendor selection / evaluation process.
Assist sales department with technical publications and data specification information.
Maintained installation and service manuals.
Work with Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign in the design of wiring diagrams, labels, spec sheets and manuals. Create, Update,and maintain BOMs, new parts, assemblies and sub-assemblies using the FishBowl database program.


CAD Contractor: 2011 to 2012
RF BIOCIDICS, Vacaville CA (Autodesk Inventor Professional 2012 & Autocad 2012)
Senior Designer, Played a major role of a dynamic design team in the development of RF and Microwave systems designed for disinfections (pasteurization) and disinfestation of food products. 2008 to 2009
APPLIED MATERIALS, Fairfield, CA (Solidworks 2008 & Autocad 2008)
Contract Mechanical Cad Designer
Developer of large-scale industrial glass-coating equipment. Supported core business by collaborating with colleagues in design of capital equipment. Created conceptual layouts from engineering design reviews. Facilitated engineering changes and upgrades to existing systems by providing design drafting expertise. 2006 to 2008
ACCURAY INCORPORATED, Sunnyvale, CA (Solidworks 2008 & Autocad)
Mechanical CAD Designer ECO Processor
Manufacturer of ground-breaking radio surgery medical technologies. Contributed to ongoing refinement of company’s robotic radio surgery product by writing and incorporating engineering change orders (ECOs) for new product integration of precision patient-positioning system. Created assembly and fabrication drawings for next system upgrade improvements.

2003 to 2006
Took the time off to spend quality time with my mother who was diagnosed with cancer.


2001 to 2003
GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS, San Francisco, CA (CoCreate Solid Designer, Solidworks)
Mechanical CAD Designer
Leading developer of full body scanners, x-ray imaging, medical diagnostic, and biopharmaceutical technologies. (Now GE Healthcare).Transformed engineering design reviews into conceptual layouts. Provided drafting support for engineering changes and upgrades to existing systems.

1998 to 2001
GENUS TECHNOLOGIES, Sunnyvale, CA (Pro-Engineer 2000i)
Mechanical CAD Designer
Developer of Chemical Vapor Deposition and Atomic Layer Deposition Systems for the Semiconductor industry .Supported core business by collaborating with colleagues in the design of CVD and ALD capital equipment. Created conceptual layouts from engineering design reviews. Facilitated engineering changes and upgrades to existing systems by providing design drafting expertise. 1992 to 1998
SCHLUMBERGER TECHNOLOGIES, Sunnyvale, CA (Pro-Engineer 2000i & Autocad)
Designer/Drafter – Technical Specialist
Developer of Integrated Diagnostic and Tester Systems for the Semiconductor industry.
Provided drafting and design support for new product development of integrated diagnostic systems using e-beam technology. 1991 to 1992
LORAL FAIRCHILD, Milpitas, CA (Autocad)
Contractor - Designer/Drafter
Design support for the product development of infrared camera surveillance systems for commercial and military defense use. 1989 to 1991
LOCKHEED LIFE SCIENCES @ NASA Ames Res Ctr, Moffet Field CA (Autocad)
Contractor - Designer/Drafter
Provided drafting and design support for experimental space flight project equipment. 1988 to 1989
WATKINS JOHNSON & VARIAN, Palo Alto, CA (Autocad & Manual drawing)
Contractor - Designer/Drafter
Joint Military Defense project between Watkins Johnson and Varian. Provided drafting and design support for Satellite Communications systems. 1982 to 1988
Teledyne CME, San Jose, CA (Autocad & Manual drawing by hand)
Drafter
Military Defense project, provided drafting and design support for Airborne and Ship launched countermeasure equipment.

1981 to 1982
Naval Air Rework Facility (NARF), Naval Air Station Alameda, CA
Aircraft Power plant Mechanic
Depot level, full aircraft engine breakdowns and rebuilds for the US Navy. The day after my honorable discharge from the Navy I was hired as a temp worker for the civil service. I only worked for one year and did not pursue permanent employment. I didn't want to be a grease monkey.
Academics



I often joke in conversations how I went to junior college for 30 years. Actually I've never stopped going to school. Even to this day I take classes or looking for courses online. I caught the learning bug after completing my service in the US Navy. Working full time during the day I could only take classes part time in the evenings, which reinforces my joke about 30 years. Now in my twilight years I spend a lot of time online. Everyday is a learning experience, I'm either honing my skills with the computer programs I have or reading articles and viewing videos I can learn from.

It's better than reading a book. Learning something new everyday, keeping your brain in gear, prevents dementia and keeps my mind and spirit forever young. Now if only it was that easy for my aging body I would have found the fountain of youth, but that's another story. I'll probably never stop learning until the day I die. I'm no Einstein but I'm happy with what I know now and that I can do a lot of things most people can't.

I hope this inspires others to never stop learning.

EDUCATION:

2021
edX classes online. HTML5 and UX Design courses on line.
Online courses offered are from well know universities across the nation and abroad.

2013
UC Berkeley extension San Francisco California - 2013
Post Baccalaureate Programs in pursuit of UX-UI design

2009-2010
LearniT Computer Traning Center & SFSU downtown off campus center, 2009 – 2010

1997-98 / 2005-07
University of San Francisco USF
2130 Fulton St, San Francisco, CA
Bachelor of Science, Organizational Behavior from the College of Professional Studies, received undergraduate degree in 2007.

1991-92, 94-96
Mission Community College Santa Clara California part-time
General Education

1983-84
DeAnza College Cupertino California part-time
General Education

1982
Masters Institute Santa Clara California, Printed Circuit Board, PCB, design training

1981
Bay Valley Technical Institute Santa Clara California, Vocational Associate Certificate in electro-mechanical drafting.
U.S. Navy Military Service


In my turbulent teenage days I got into a lot of trouble. I was always drinking or getting high on marijuana. I was going nowhere fast so I had to change and get out of this losing lifestyle. Tired of getting these dishwasher and warehouse jobs, I had no skills. Military service was my way out.

At first being patriotic was not my goal. I wanted to learn a skill so I could get a descent job. I was lucky enough to get a duty station so close to home at the Naval Air Station Alameda, AIMD (Aviation Intermediate Maintenance Division) just by requesting it. I had joined the Navy as an Aviation Machinist Mate (Jet Engine Mechanic). Like I said I was just interested in learning a skill. I did really well making grade. I made it to E5-2nd Class Petty Officer in 3 years. Turns out I was a terrible mechanic even though I did well with the books and taking the P.O. exams.

What the military taught me was teamwork. We all had to work together to make it through. Living in that environment you develop a sense of appreciation and trust in your fellow sailors and great pride as a part of a team and an American. The military straightened me out and was like a second father to me. If I could do it all over again I would rather go out to sea and become career military. I often thought of going back and I should of, but now I am humbled and honored to have served and proud to be a veteran.

MILITARY SERVICE:

1977 - 1981 Active Service / 82-83 Reserves

U.S.Navy Veteran - Honorable Discharge Aviation Machinist Mate, PO2-ADJ (E5) Petty Officer 2nd Class (E5) Aviation Machinist Mate specializing in intermediate maintenance of jet aircraft engines and helicopter power plants. Last attached to AIMD and the HS-85 Antisubmarine Warfare Reconnaissance Squadron.