By Rob Mortensen, Senior Manager, North American MEGAYSYS Operations at EMD Electronics
The MEGASYS organization at EMD Electronics provides a unique service, as our employees actually work onsite in our customers’ facilities to maintain our delivery systems equipment and safely handle our materials (chemicals and gases) throughout the stages of manufacturing semiconductors.
I recently sat down with Walter Marrable, a Chemical Operations Supervisor on our MEGASYS team in Austin, TX, to learn about how the skills he acquired in the U.S. military translate to his role in our organization.
Marrable served in the United States Navy for six years as a nuclear-trained machinist. “I was responsible for supervising an engine room that directly controlled the maneuverability of aircraft carriers and power generation. Managing the engine room included conducting regular maintenance and repairs. When I left the military, I had over 1000 hours of applied experience in maintenance work.”
Marrable said that what drew him to apply for a position in MEGASYS directly after leaving the military was the technical aspect of the role. He was interested in semiconductor technology and had long-admired our customers and wanted to be a part of the industry. Drawing parallels from his work in the engine room to the fab; he shared that moving materials and regulating pressure temperatures were very similar.
“You still have (material) levels and equipment that operate in a specific way. You need to understand the ins and outs of those systems and why components are designed the way they are, and where they are located and processed. All of that definitely translated over into working in MEGASYS,” Marrable shares. “Once you understand the technical pieces of equipment, it’s easier to learn additional types of equipment in the fab.”
In speaking to Marrable, it’s quite apparent that he brings a high level of discipline to his position and makes safety and quality a priority in his work.
“In the military, just like in here at MEGASYS, we have a chain of command. As a supervisor, I am responsible for developing the team and adhering to strict protocols, procedures. There’s more PPE here at our customer site for good reason, and safety is a top priority,” he says. “Onboarding new team members and continuing education for our tenured employees related to our protocols are essential. Safety is everyone’s job, just like in the military. We can’t ignore potential hazards. We have to know how to take action,” Marrable concludes.
At EMD Electronics, we are committed to hiring U.S. veterans. Marrable’s advice for anyone leaving the military who may be interested in working for us was pretty straightforward. “Like any career, you’re going to get out what you put into it. There’s a lot to learn, and there’s so many opportunities,” he says. “From a technical side of things, MEGASYS is a phenomenal place to be. We have so much exposure to the manufacturing process and working with technical equipment. Not to mention building relationships with the customer and understanding their needs.
“MEGASYS has a variety of work. Whether you decide to pursue operations like me or work on the maintenance team, you have options to expand your skills. You also have the opportunity to explore different shifts and decide which kind works best for you. The operations team works a rotating shift—three on/three off, four on/four off in 12-hour shifts. If you are on the maintenance team, you’ll work Monday to Friday, 9-5. So, if you’re somebody who doesn’t like shift work, apply for the maintenance team,” he suggests.
Marrable noted that opportunities to grow are similar in MEGASYS too. “There’s definitely a runway ahead. Leaders work with you to guide you in the right direction to advance your career. There’s a lot of hands-on learning to build your skill set.”
If you’d like to learn more about joining our team, and working with great people like Marrable, visit our website at emdgroup.com/careers.
Source: EMD Electronics
