Experience Summary
You will see from my resume below that I have strong experience in math, science, engineering and computers. It is worth mentioning that I am also skilled in english (5 on my AP World Lit exam) and art (voted most artistic in my senior high school class). I have also tutored at least 4 students in the past, and found it to be a successful and rewarding experience.
Katharine P. Snell
Katie.snell@hotmail.com
Address: 1026 Millview Ct. | Batavia, Il 60510 | 630-207-3819 (mobile)
SUMMARY
A personable and accessible electrical engineer with a talent for analytical thinking and completing time-sensitive tasks; creative and assertive, enjoys learning and understanding a process from beginning to end. Would like an opportunity to grow towards the status of subject matter expert.
EDUCATION
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering; focus in Bio-Engineering December 2009
GPA (Last 2 Years): 3.77/4.00
WORK EXPERIENCE
Design Verification Engineer
Microsoft (XBOX Console Development and Test) – Mountain View, CA March 2010 – October 2011
• Core Responsibilities:
o Create test processes for Voltage Regulator (Linear and Switching) circuits and Junction Temperature Monitor circuit
o Write test procedure documents for owned subsystems and undergo procedural reviews and document storage
o Create test plan based on platform changes, build resources, and schedule
o Execute testing and debug for VR and JTM circuits and recommend any circuit, spec or test changes
o File any bugs and tasks in tracking software for visibility
o Summarize test findings in a test report document and assess robustness of owned subsystems
o Such testing included:
• VR: input and output DC voltage and ripple; input and output current; turn-on time and overshoot; efficiency; thermals; source and load stability; and switch-node characteristics
• JTM: Electrical behavior on diode lines; thermal accuracy; fan response; and frequency response
• Extra-Mile:
o Choose second-source VR controller and perform preliminary testing
o Create an experiment to statistically determine the number of boards that should used in VR testing
o Support Dev Team in time-critical JTM debug
o Review entire Xbox schematic to understand the purpose of the circuit design
o Create circuit board. Including such work as:
• Select parts, lay out schematic, perform board layout
o Expand Verilog->C DPI used as the test harness in System Verification
o Analyze Game Test Code for bugs and compose solutions
o Obtain source code for new game to update stress test
o Act as Supporting Dev Engineer to console build in China. Responsibilities included:
• ID board issues, test issues, and isolated failures; determine when build should be halted for issue debug; determine when a board should be debugged at factory/back in US; debug boards; and create solutions
Hardware Engineering Intern
Microsoft (XBOX Console Development and Test) – Mountain View, CA May - August 2009
• Core Responsibilities:
o Create report that identifies limitations in retail console testing
o Create document summarizing existing test tools
o Create diagnostic approach to assess the general health of bootable, DevKit console
o Create test methodology to automatically test multiple consoles in parallel; identify problematic subsystems; direct console to appropriate groups for specialized debug; file more detailed bugs; force the manifestation of intermittent failures; and streamline test process
o Create GUI that automates test methodology, while still allowing for user-modified test cases
• Extra-Mile:
o Learning how to crack Xbox consoles; run various tests on Retail and DevKits; design Machine Maps for testing on multiple consoles; automate test runs in the current environment; load tests onto, and delete tests off of, the console; modify XML files to change various aspects of a test or suite; check-in, open, modify, and read details of code using Source Depot
o Studying console subsystems through technical documents and specialist interviews
o Using XML formatting on data files used in GUI to make for more modular and easily updatable code
Plug-In Power Intern
Texas Instruments (Plug-In Power) – Warrenville, IL May - August 2008
• Core Responsibilities:
o Create test methodology for characterizing devices over frequency
o Design universal test board for transformers, inductors, capacitors, and resistors
o Use equipment such as:
• Ridley AP200 High Frequency Analyzer, Visual Basic, Quadtech Tektronix Function Generator (and its associated curve programmer), RLC meter, Omnify Database, and Material Content Analysis
• Extra-Mile:
o Write Visual Basic Program that interprets, organizes, and charts data from a floppy
o Mill PCB and solder on components (both surface mount and through hole)
o Write Visual Basic program that parses multiple BOMs to create a master parts list
o Automate database entry through programs and macros in Visual Basic Excel
o Contact various TI suppliers and create document that summarizes information regarding suppliers devices (ROHS, MSL, material content, CAS)
Research Assistant
Brain Computer Interface Research – Urbana, IL May 2007 – May 2008
• Core Responsibilities:
o Become certified lab assistant for running human/biological experiments
o Run experiments using EMG devices and EEG cap
o Record and analyze experiment findings
o Present data to group
• Extra-Mile:
o Act as project manager of research group
• Find and order lab supplies
• Schedule experiments
• Record and summarize results for group
• Liaison between related research groups to coordinate findings and resources
o Use programs/tools such as:
• Labview, Daqview, and EEG
EXTRACURRICULAR
• Lifetime member of ACM (Association for Computing Machinery.)
• Member and Social Chair (2007-2009) of Women in Electrical and Computer Engineering.
• Member of the National Honor Society (2005) and the James Scholar Program (2006).
• University of Illinois Engineering Council Representative (2007-2009)
• Co-Chair/Treasurer (2006-2009) of ACM SigBio.
• Volunteer work in Kids 'n Chem, adult math tutor, adopt-a-pathway, etc
• Illustration and graphics experience including photography, developing, screen-printing, t-shirt design, mural work and intaglio.
• Engineering Open House projects: (Cellular Automata Simulation, 2007; Autonomous hovercraft, 2008; BioShock Laser Tag, 2009)
TECHNICAL SKILLS
• AutoCAD
• Autodesk Inventor Professional
• C, C++, C# Programming Language (including GUI and Robot-programming experience)
• VHDL and Verilog
• HSPICE, CosmosScope and CSPICE
• Fabrication Lab Devices
• Visual Basic (excel)
• EEG Cap Application
• Labview
• Web Applications
• JMP
• Photoshop, Illustrator, and Dreamweaver
• Python Programming Language
• Microcontroller Programming
• FPGA Programming
• Assembly Programming
• Bug-filing Applications
• TeamCenter
• Welding/Soldering (Arc, Oxy-Acetylene, MIG, TIG, Plasma Cutting)
Teaching Style
I agree with the concept that each person learns a bit differently, and even more so that as a tutor, I should try and find the most effective style for my tutee. My academic career also taught me the importance of setting time limits for each action item; and switching tasks to keep the mind sharp.
Other Comments
I am planning on starting grad school in january 2013, aiming to get a PhD in bionanotechnology (through school of Electrical Engineering at either Northwestern or University of Illinois). Until school starts, however, I would like to keep working, and think that a tutoring job will keep me both engaged, and funded.
I also own two horses, and if it would be of interest, could bring tutees to the barn to meet them.