Sigma Design, a product design and engineering firm headquartered in Vancouver, recently hired six new employees.
The new employees are Nghia Nguyen, CNC machine operator; Paul Ginochio, electrical engineering technician; Steve Monette, electrical engineering technician; Peter Nikiforov, mechanical engineer; Pam DeShon-Stepp, project manager; and Lena Savage, systems engineer.
Nguyen brings 10 years of experience setting up and operating CNC mills to Sigma Design. His experience includes inspection of parts with CMMs, vision gages, optical comparators and overlays. He holds an associate degree in machine tool technology from Mt. Hood Community College and has completed training as a machine lubrication technician and as a manufacturing mechanics technician.
Ginochio joins the company as an electrical engineering technician with more than 10 years of experience operating, repairing and maintaining electronic equipment. Specifically, he has worked with power generators, RF Plasma Match instruments, air monitoring instruments, and robotic test and assembly equipment. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science from National University, San Jose, CA and was awarded Cum Laude. He also holds a certificate in electronics technology from Cabrillo College, CA.
Also an electrical engineering technician, Monette brings more than 20 years of to Sigma Design with a background in various industrial settings including semiconductor, research and development, manufacturing and industrial supplies. He holds an associate degree in software solutions development and in electronics technology.
Nikiforov has four years of mechanical design experience with skills in machine design, microcontrollers using C language and electro-mechanical experience with DC motors, IMUs, encoders and strain gauges. Nikiforov holds a master’s degree in mechanical engineering with an emphasis in mechatronics and a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Portland State University.
DeShon-Stepp joins the company as a project manager with more than 15 years of experience delivering technology, improving standardized engineering processes, and leading top-performing, cross-functional teams to define and deliver critical products. She has experience in strategy and planning, technology design and deployment, technology integration, benchmarking, requirements definition, and team leadership. She holds three U.S. patents and a multitude of certifications and trainings. DeShon-Stepp has bachelor’s degrees in mechanical engineering and psychology from Oregon State University.
Savage brings three years of electrical technician experience to Sigma Design with expertise in manufacturing, quality assurance and process improvement. More specifically, her experience includes troubleshooting advanced optical systems at system level, as well as using system documentation, database tools, schematics and mechanical diagrams for reference while troubleshooting. She is a candidate for a bachelor’s degree in electronics engineering technology from the Oregon Institute of Technology. She also holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Portland State University.
