In the second blog of our “Employee Spotlight” series, we focus on one of our engineers, Josh Settle. Josh works to design, test, and implement the electronics for our new products. In addition, he is a valuable resource to our production teams. He is also a member of our Quality System’s Internal Audit Team.
Let’s ask Joshua some questions to get to know him better.
Let’s start with a history of your time here at Teledyne
I started summer 2014 as an electrical engineering intern. I didn’t know if I would get the internship, so I picked up another part time job as a lifeguard. I landed the internship later and kept working both. I put in 40 hours at Hastings during the week and 10-16 hours at the Mt. Trashmore Family YMCA on the weekend.
At Hastings I really enjoyed the people I worked with (I still do), and I am thankful for the ways they have invested in me (they still do). I interned again summer 2015 and came back month after undergrad to work full-time. My full-time start date was June 6, 2016. I celebrate 7 years with Hastings this summer.
Tell us a little about your educational background
I completed my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (mathematics minor) Magna Cum Laude from Virginia Tech in May 2016. That autumn, I immediately began working on my Master of Engineering Degree (Electrical and Computer concentration) at Old Dominion University while working full time. I finished my second degree in the spring of 2022.
As far as concentrations go, I have always enjoyed mathematics for its brutal objectivity, intense precision, and its numerous tools used to help people observe reality and make meaningful changes.
I also enjoy transmission line theory, an arcane field where material properties, geometry, circuit analysis, and electromagnetics all converge. I’m particularly interested in microstrip line distributed element filters (see the Distributed-element filter Wikipedia page). This subject has interesting applications because of its similarity to traces on a circuit board. As part of my second degree, I developed a python program that calculates the dimensions of one of these filters based on user input frequency characteristics and compared my program to a professional software package.
What do you do here at Teledyne Hastings?
Short Answer: I solve as many problems as I can, learn from failure, and try to acquire useful skills along the way.
Long Answer: I help the engineering department meet long term goals especially with respect to new product development. I also help with production, repair, quality, tooling, and training needs.
I do everything from working on production benches, configuring tests, interpreting data, leading or supporting internal audits, assisting with technical documentation needs (drawings work instructions, procedures), or even being a liaison between multiple departments (production and sales, production and other engineers).
What are some of your outside interests?
I enjoy fitness, videogames, pizza, and red wine (dark, full-bodied, and dry).
Quote that we might use from you?
“Think things through. Consider the extremes. Speak carefully. Challenge your assumptions. Relax, and don’t be afraid to say, “I don’t know” or ask for help.
To learn more about Teledyne Hastings and the products we make, visit our website or click below.
