Tag Archives: Manufacturing

Employee Stories: Harmony, Aircraft Systems Technician

Harmony’s career journey is one of exploration and resilience. Originally from Georgia, she had a dynamic upbringing, moving across the country for her parents’ careers and ultimately settling in Idaho for her final two years of high school. A passionate singer and pianist, she initially pursued a degree in vocal performance. However, she soon discovered that her love for music was better suited for a hobby than a profession.
Through some life experiences, Harmony discovered a passion for emergency medicine. She became an EMT, thriving in high-stakes situations and finding deep satisfaction in helping others during critical moments. Drawn to a life of service and adventure, she felt the military could be a path to blend her love for medicine with a desire to travel.

A New Direction

At age 22, Harmony enlisted in the Navy with hopes of becoming a corpsman and pursuing medical school. However, the military had other plans. She was assigned as an Aviation Electronics Technician, which took her in an unexpected but rewarding direction.

“I originally had no interest in aviation but grew to love a lot of different aspects of the job,” Harmony recalls. “I really enjoy using my hands and solving physical, applicable problems.”

After boot camp, Harmony’s Navy journey began with training at NAS Pensacola in Florida, where she developed skills in aircraft systems and structures. She then moved to NAS Lemoore in California, working on F/A-18 Super Hornets before moving to NAS Whidbey to work on EA-18 Growlers. She deployed or detached to Japan, South Korea, and Guam throughout her service. After five impactful years on active duty, she transitioned to the reserves, serving an additional three years before leaving the military in 2021.

Life post-Navy

Eager to continue her interest in medicine, Harmony enrolled at Western Washington University and received degrees in behavioral neuroscience and chemistry. However, after graduating, she wanted to take a break from academia and return to hands-on work. She found an opportunity at Janicki and was hired in 2023.

Harmony began at Janicki as an Aircraft Structural Assembler, initially working on benchwork. This role involved drilling and sealing operations on benchtops. She soon moved on to the assembly line, where her work became more complex as she tackled varied orientations and stages of production.

Harmony took on more responsibilities by becoming a tool focal, overseeing tool control, ensuring all tools get checked in and out properly, and managing inventory and procurement. She also serves as the hazmat focal, handling and ordering supplies such as solvents and bonding materials.

“The team atmosphere is fantastic,” she says. “I work with dedicated technicians and enthusiastic young engineers who are passionate about what we do here.”

Moving Forward

Recently promoted to Aircraft Systems Tech Lead, Harmony manages a small team and trains new employees. Her daily tasks include drilling operations, bonding brackets, and installing working on oxygen, hydraulic, and liquid cooling systems.

Reflecting on her journey, she adds, “I don’t feel like I have to be a doctor. Maybe one day, but I’m happy where I am now.”

Life Outside of Work

Outside of her work at Janicki, Harmony enjoys house projects, cooking, and staying active at the gym. She also plays on a women’s full-tackle football team. After years of moving, Harmony has found a true home in Washington, where she appreciates the natural beauty as some of the best she’s ever seen.

Interested in becoming an aircraft systems technician? We’re hiring! Visit our Job Openings page.

Employee Stories: Salma, NDI Technician

Before joining Janicki, Salma worked as a certified nursing assistant at a nursing home. Her empathetic nature made her well-suited for the role, and she enjoyed bonding with her patients. However, despite the fulfillment she found in helping others, the stress of the job was unsustainable, and Salma knew it wasn’t her lifelong career path.

Salma’s brother, who worked at Janicki, suggested she consider applying to the company. Seeking a fresh start outside the medical field, Salma took his advice and applied to Janicki as a production technician.

Exploring New Horizons

In 2018, Salma was hired and started in mold fabrication. She quickly showcased her versatility and eagerness to learn. She transitioned to the controlled contamination area (CCA) team where she honed her skills in laying up, using resin and fabricating production parts. Over time, she moved between various production roles, adapting to the needs of different programs.

Three years ago, Salma’s curiosity was piqued by a new machine with a robot arm in Building 5.

“There was a really small team working with it, and I wondered what those people did,” she recalls. “I ended up helping them with a project and learned a lot about the work they were doing.”

The new machine was a nondestructive inspecting system with a built-in robot arm, called the Kuka Genesis, which sprays water and ultrasonic sounds against composite parts to evaluate structural integrity and fitness of use while keeping them intact.

After that, Salma went out of her way to learn more about nondestructive inspection. She spoke with department members about the different equipment pieces and their uses. She even did some research on the side to better understand the field. One day, Salma saw a job opening for an NDI trainee role on the internal job openings list. Despite her lack of experience in the field, she was eager to learn more and decided to apply. Her interest and drive impressed the department, so they brought her on in 2023.

Janicki provided comprehensive training for Salma to receive her Level I certification in ultrasonics, including practical hours on the job, 40 classroom hours in California, and a test she completed in October 2023. Shortly after that, Salma began training for her Level II certification, and in June 2024, she achieved this milestone. She became qualified to set up and calibrate equipment and interpret and evaluate results according to applicable codes, standards, and specifications.

“Janicki is very generous,” she notes. “They train you on-site and pay for all of your training to get the certification.”

Continuing the Journey

Salma’s journey doesn’t end here. She is eager to continue learning and gaining experience with different devices and techniques as a Level II technician. She aspires to one day achieve her Level III certification, solidifying her expertise in the field.

Life Beyond Work

Outside of her professional pursuits, Salma enjoys a well-rounded life. She loves hanging out with friends and spending time with her dog, Rollo. Recently, she has taken up swimming and camping, even spending several days at Baker Lake this year. She also went camping with her NDI team, strengthening bonds with her colleagues. Additionally, Salma is rediscovering her love for reading.

Interested in joining our growing team? Apply on our Job Openings page.

Employee Stories: Angie, Production Lead

For Angie, Janicki isn’t just a workplace – it’s a family legacy. Angie’s journey with Janicki began three years ago when her stepson, Derek, who was already a mill technician at the company, encouraged her to apply. With her husband, Darrell, having previously worked for Janicki, Angie knew the company well and made joining the team an easy choice.

Angie serves as a project lead in the Building 9 Controlled Contamination Area (CCA), orchestrating the meticulous process of laying up composite prepreg, core, and other materials into composite fly-away parts destined for aircraft, spacecraft, drones, and more. It’s a role that demands precision and expertise, and Angela approaches it with dedication and pride.

Angie’s daughter, Mary, joined Janicki last year following in her mother’s footsteps. “We have a challenging job,” says Mary, “It’s been great to learn so much and work with a great team of people.”

A few weeks ago, Janicki welcomed its newest recruit from the family—Angie’s daughter, Anna. For Anna, the experience of working at the same company as her mother holds a unique significance.

“My favorite part is knowing she’s always there to support me,” Anna shares. “She is always here to help.”

Although they do not work in the same manufacturing area, Derek and Angie enjoy catching up during breaks, and their bond remains strong throughout the day.

“It’s great to be able to talk about work with her,” remarks Derek. “It’s nice that she understands and relates to what’s happening at my job.”

Outside of work, Angie’s family spends lots of time together. They most recently celebrated Derek’s daughter’s first birthday together. Angie’s daughters are now planning a surprise for the upcoming Mother’s Day holiday.

“We’re a pretty close-knit family,” shares Angie. “Janicki has been so good to us and gives us the opportunity to spend a lot of time together. The future looks bright for all of us here, thanks to Janicki’s many opportunities for growth and development.”

Janicki has 1400 employees and growing. Join our team!

Employee Stories: Nick, Production Technical Lead

Nick, a production technical lead on the Metals Value Stream team at the Utah site, recently celebrated his 8th anniversary with Janicki. His interest in aerospace and technical work began when he enlisted in the Army in 2008, a passion that he continues to bring to his role at Janicki.

Nick served several critical roles for the Army and National Guard, primarily focused on maintaining Black Hawk and Chinook helicopters. Nick has been deployed twice, once from 2008-2009 and a second time while he was working at Janicki, from 2018-2019.

In 2015, a friend referred him to Janicki. The idea of working on the opposite side of the spectrum from his service was very exciting. Nick started as a mill tech machining composite skins and other fly-away parts in Mills 7 and 8 in Utah. The similarities between his service and work at Janicki are very obvious, where safety, quality, and foreign object debris (FOD) control are all top priorities. That overlapping focus allowed Nick to flourish at Janicki, where he had a short stint as Mill 7 cell manager before his second deployment in 2018, and then upon returning from Iraq as the Assembly 5 cell manager for over four years.

Nick has been in the production technical lead role since 2022 and is also working on quality assurance training to expand his skills. He enjoys the culture and the people he works with and learns from daily.

“I love what I do and want to come to work every day,” states Nick. “I am honored to have the opportunity to grow and help move our needle with each new project.”

Nick’s most memorable experience at Janicki has been witnessing two rocket launches from Cape Canaveral while performing on-site work at a customer’s Florida assembly facility.

“The sight, sound and feeling of the reverberations in my chest are something I will never forget,” said Nick.

When Nick isn’t machining the largest and most challenging parts in the aerospace industry, he is finding every chance he can to escape to the mountains. He loves fly fishing and camping with his daughter, Brinlynn (12), and dog, Luke.

Janicki is committed to hiring active-duty service members, veterans, and reservists transitioning to civilian work. Learn more at www.janicki.com/veterans.

Employee Stories: Nick, EHS Site Manager

Nick’s early years are a testament to his determination and free spirit. He chose to leave high school before graduating, embarking on journeys across Washington. At the age of 18, he drove his car until it ran out of gas, then sold it to buy camping equipment. For several months, he traversed the country, spending nights on the side of the road and hitchhiking during the day.

Nick later returned to Washington, where he met his wife, Leslie, and began working in the boatbuilding industry. His work involved fabricating vessels, mainly installing electrical and mechanical systems. Between projects, Nick and Leslie moved around Washington and Oregon, spending time together and traveling when they could. During that time, he acquired his GED and later returned to get his high school diploma.

Nick, his dog and wife Leslie smiling on a hike

Nick with his dog and wife, Leslie, on a hike.

In 2011, they moved to Sedro-Woolley, Washington, to help Nick’s parents with house projects and look for new boat-building job opportunities in nearby Anacortes. However, the job market was tough, so he applied at a temp agency and got a temporary production technician position at Janicki.

Janicki quickly recognized his potential and hired him as a full-time employee. Working alongside some of the company’s most skilled employees, Nick honed his mold fabrication, layup and infusion skills. In 2012, he was promoted to production lead in mold fab. He then headed the core production team for a new aerospace program. Despite the challenges, Nick’s team consistently delivered exceptional results.

Nick’s attention to detail and problem-solving capabilities were recognized, and in 2015, he transitioned into a millwright maintenance manager and, in 2017, over to an operations support specialist role. Through those positions, Nick solved many challenges related to the company’s growth by identifying and improving processes.

In operations support, Nick recognized the pressing need for improvement in the Environmental Health and Safety (EHS) department and worked with the team to create ideas for improvements and help implement them. He was eventually asked to move full-time into EHS to support restructuring the department.

Nick attended many trainings, including extensive OSHA 501 courses through the University of Washington, First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor training through the Red Cross, Ergonomics CEPS through Ergology, and other classes and certifications. Nick and the growing EHS team developed several new programs and training to provide focus-based knowledge depending on the employee’s needs.

“I felt if we aimed to implement safety through relationships, overall safety would improve. I didn’t want people to see safety as an officer on the floor that everybody scatters from, but as a resource that people want to come to for support,” stated Nick. “With our training combined with an incredible team, the EHS department became a valuable resource.”

Nick posing with crews wearing Janicki safety shirts.

Thanks to Nick and the team’s unwavering dedication, Janicki has witnessed a significant decrease in sprains, strains, trips, falls, cuts and other recordable injury rates. Today, Janicki proudly boasts some of the best safety metrics in the industry. Currently serving as an EHS site manager in Hamilton, WA, Nick continues to drive our safety initiatives forward, ensuring a safe and secure work environment for all.

“Janicki is full of very smart people. Without their continual support and direction, I would not have had the success I have experienced here,” said Nick. “Janicki is great about recognizing the potential of their employees and helping them develop.”

Along with his EHS role, wellness events and other activities, Nick has also taken on developing a school partnership program to provide opportunities for the youth in the Skagit County community to succeed. He is also the main guide for school tours of the Hamilton facilities.

“Janicki is writing their own story and taking part in even a few chapters of it has been such a blessing to my life,” stated Nick.

Outside of work, Nick and his wife continue to travel regularly. They recently visited Florida and have plans to go to Hawaii next. He also enjoys hiking and spending time with his church’s community. We’re excited to see where his travels and career at Janicki take him next!

Looking to grow your career? We’re always looking for talented people. Visit our Job Openings page for our current openings.