After working for Medtronics in Tempe, Arizona for almost 18 years, I was a victim of the ole’ reduction in force that’s been going around in so many other companies around the country. For those that don’t know about Medtronic, they are a medical company that manufactures implant able medical devices (pacemakers, drug pumps, Parkinson’s disease, etc).

I have a BSEET from DeVRY, but worked as a Test Technician with automated test systems controlling test instrumentation over the GPIB bus, with either a PC, VXI or PXI chassis. I also have experience with OrCAD schematic Capture program, AutoCAD, and LaBVIEW. I recently took the CLAD certification exam for LabVIEW, but the results are still not know. It was only 3 weeks ago.

If any of you know of a Test Technician/Engineer, the my resume can be downloaded here:

http://www.datsunnissandrivers.com/users/fun5ten/Resume-Ben_Traynor.doc

Ben,

I'm sorry to hear this. We went through layoffs as well at my company. Its a tough time for everyone involved.

I'll keep an eye and ear out for positions.

Are you looking to do the same/similar things you did at Medtronic, or open to other avenues of tech work?

BTW, i tried downloading the resume and it has a page not found error in the document.

Let me know if you need help, a reference, or anything.

Ben, that's a real bummer. I hope they gave you a decent severence package at least

Daviena is posting payroll type jobs all the time, but that's probably not what you want to do

Resume link fixed, the old extra space routine, DOH!!!

Yeh, I see her post them. Payroll is on my cup of tea

I don't need to stay in the medical field. Although it would be nice to stay with something of the same technical nature.

Bummer dude... that's seriously weak.

I'm seriously short staffed here at my work. The 4 PLC programmers working for me are running non-stop all over the valley doing controls work. I just wish I could convince the powers that be that we need another programmer considering the layoff we just went through. If I can do that, I'll put your name in if you would be interested.

Sure, that would be awesome. As you know, I stayed as a tech for too long after my BSEET. My boss was working on having me become an engineer like I finally deserve. I remember you mentioning you use a graphical programming language similar to LabView, so I would consider it for sure. Thanks dude

I'll see what I can do. Do a websearch for Modicon programmable logic controllers. THe programming software is either Modicon Concept or Taylor Proworx NxT. Thats what we deal with primariliy in our group. We also have some other software for programming operator interface terminals similar to labview too.

Xantrex/ Elgar could always use engineering help- in
San Diego.....
http://www.elgar.com/index.htm

Programmable power supplies and loads for commercial and gov't contractors, is their gig. Lots of solar array /battery simulators for satellite contractors, and stuff for the Armed Forces. Lots of high power/load, multi channel crap to keep engineers and tech's guessing.

They specialize in one-off's vs. standardized power supplies- tho that is in their "catalog", as well, so there's always something new that demands attention.

Thanks hillbille, I'll keep that in mind. I worked with the older AT8000 series about 10 years ago, and wrote a LabView program to control them for burn-in applications:

I tested/configured systems/troubleshot those things from 90- 96( when I worked there- wife still does).

They're marketing much more advanced systems/circuitry these days that need programming/engineering expertise.

Save it as a last resort, Ben. MOving sucks, and pay in San Diego is subject to the
"weather discount".
You'ld have to be pretty aggressive w/ this company to get what you're worth.

Benny,sorry to hear about your misfortune.Did you get a decent severance package?

I know several companies don't even give their employees accrued vacation time. Not in my case, Medtronic is still a great company to work for. I am still on the payroll until August 3rd, then I get a severance package. It is based on so much for so many years I've been there. It works out to be about 32% of my Salary. That includes about 180 hours vacation.

That's excellent! Most companies wouldnt give you nearly that much.

That at least takes some of the pressure off to immediately find a position.

Mabye relax for a month, take a nice vacation? That's what I'd probably do.

My company, Avail, makes a lot of Medtronics junk. We do all the one time use stuff and plastic parts for Medtronics devices. We got bought out by Flextronics/ Flexmed...but I am working on something else which will be quite a life change if it works out.

I am sorry you got laid off, my mother got laid off from Pier 1 last week...