“My #AeroPassion is learning how innovative NDT techniques can help save lives!”
Stephanie's Biography
Stephanie is a UBC Materials Engineering master’s graduate. She began her career as a metallurgist in the primary steel manufacturing industry in England. Stephanie became a research engineer for nuclear fuel (BNFL) and aluminium processing (Alcan) industries before joining the world of aviation manufacture. She joined Avcorp Industries as a materials and process (M&P) test lab technician and trained as a non-destructive testing (NDT) inspector before transitioning into a Quality management role. Her greatest inspiration (and challenge!) to date is her three year old daughter.
I currently manage four labs: Calibration, Materials and Processing, Ultrasonic NDT and Liquid Penetrant NDT. This involves managing equipment, unionized personnel, quality documentation, training and certification to help ensure Avcorp products meet customer, defence and industry quality requirements
Avcorp provides major airframe structures to some of the world’s leading aerospace companies including Bombardier.
Being a facilitator for so many different technical areas. This can mean anything from training technicians and inspectors (often educating myself at the same time!) to helping find solutions for efficiency and productivity improvements, fixing and purchasing equipment or supporting new company endeavours.
Leading the ultrasonic department into drilled composite inspection for the F-35 program after being solely involved with metals and metal-bond inspection was a significant and exciting challenge. Interpreting ultrasonic signals that were incredibly different from those I was used to seeing meant a steep learning curve. Since I was also trying to juggle being a new mother and an interim Quality Manager at the same time, this was a particularly interesting period for me!
I would like to think that I have a down-to-earth approach that plays a significant role in effectively communicating and resolving workplace issues from shop floor to top level management. Hopefully, this helps bring clarity to the tasks required from the people who report to me and provides visibility of the role my departments play in meeting company goals. I guess I also technically help prevent planes falling out of the sky which helps all of us that fly on the aircraft we manufacture!
I would like to see the numbers of women in aerospace increase at all levels – there is still a severe lack of female minds from shop floor to top level management. Women often bring a different perspective and approach from their male counterparts and I truly believe that this diversity can only help to improve the industry. I will help this vision by continuing to support initiatives such as DAWEG and SCWIST who help women navigate the male-dominated industries of science and engineering by helping to encourage the belief that we do belong, even if we often have to work a bit harder to prove it at the moment!
“The only thing holding you back is yourself.” There will always be individuals who think they can do a better job than you and feel the need to let you know it. Maybe they can, maybe they can’t but believe you belong, have the courage to be the best you can be and you will be successful.
