Tanner Hoecherl
QC & Failure Analysis Engineering Lead
I am a technical contributor with 10+ years of experience in technician and engineering roles related to material processing, research and development, prototyping, and manufacturing, along with previous experience in retail, customer service, and teaching. I graduated from the University of Washington, Seattle with a degree in Materials Science and Engineering and a minor in math. Since 2017, I have worked in many capacities at Sigma Design that are directly or indirectly related to my roles in both Quality Control and Failure Analysis Engineering.
Although I have my specialties, I consider myself as more of a generalist and am always looking for opportunities to expand my capabilities and provide cross-functional support in conjunction with my primary roles. I am inquisitive, detail-oriented, and have a continual improvement mindset while viewing things from both big-picture and finer-detail perspectives. I strive to deliver high-quality solutions and unique ideas in dynamic, fast-paced settings to enable the ongoing success of the Sigma team and our clients. The variety of work and diverse skillsets and personalities of my fellow Sigma contributors will always be my favorite things about working at Sigma Design.
Outside of work, I have 3 boys, a dog, and 2 cats at home who always keep me busy. I enjoy getting outside and taking day trips around the PNW, working on home and garden projects, learning new things, and gaming with friends and family to unwind and have some fun.
Questions & Answers
How do you make people laugh?
Witty one-liners, dry humor, pop culture references, and dad jokes.
If you were a tool or piece of equipment, what would you be and why?
Swiss Army Knife -- versatile and reliable in many situations and good to have on hand at a moment's notice.
What's your favorite productivity hack or time-saving trick?
Lean 5S (sort, set, shine, standardize, sustain): an organized work area with all of the necessary tools always available and in working order saves a considerable amount of time and money in the long run that would otherwise be spent searching for the right tools for the job, borrowing them from other work areas, or replacing them because they are in poor condition or presumed lost.
Lean 5S has several other benefits, including: improved process efficiency, lower defect rates, enhanced safety, and increased tool/workspace utilization, which translates to increased productivity and job satisfaction with fewer distractions and less waste while reducing overall costs.