Intern Spotlight: Sam Lehner
Sam Lehner
School/Degree: University of Minnesota College of Science and Engineering | Degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering
Internship: Quality Engineer Intern
Sam is from Woodbury, Minnesota and is currently pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Industrial and Systems Engineering at the University of Minnesota. He has enjoyed college life, especially spending time with friends and taking advantage of all that campus has to offer.
A Natural Fit for Quality
Sam has always had an interest in math and numbers, which made a Quality Engineering internship at Design Ready Controls feel like a natural fit. As he explored different paths, Design Ready Controls stood out for the chance to build a future in Quality Engineering and contribute in an area that closely matched his interests. As Sam states, “You can go a lot of different routes with quality, and Design Ready Controls has strong quality roles.” Through his time at Design Ready Controls, Sam has come to see the company as a place where he can continue to learn, build practical skills, and grow in a quality-driven environment.
Learning Through Experience
Over the past few weeks, Sam has continued expanding his knowledge at Design Ready Controls. One project he has especially enjoyed is analyzing the company’s Internal First Pass Yield spreadsheet in Excel. As part of that project, Sam compiled data showing the percentage of panels that moved through production without being returned for quality-related concerns. During his time on the team, Sam has also benefited from the support and guidance of his supervisor and Quality Manager Patrick Waddick. Reflecting on that experience, Sam states, “I’ve had some pretty good bosses, but Patrick, he’s at the top of the list for sure.” Of Design Ready Controls’ core values, candor has stood out to Sam the most. He sees that value reflected in Patrick’s leadership, especially in the way he encourages questions, takes time to explain ideas in depth, and helps Sam feel confident in his role. Sam is grateful for the chance to learn from Patrick and continue deepening his understanding of the many facets of Quality Engineering.
Applying Knowledge in a Real-World Setting
Sam greatly enjoys his position at Design Ready Controls and the industry insight it provides. He appreciates being able to apply the skills and knowledge he has built through school in a real-world setting. As Sam explains, “It’s a degree that requires a lot of hard classes, so it feels good to really apply it.” He also appreciates the opportunity to further his understanding of the many layers of engineering. As Sam adds, “with engineering, there’s just so much to unpack within it.” He is especially drawn to the tangible nature of his role and has always preferred work that is visible and practical. His time at Design Ready Controls has allowed him to grow professionally while doing something he genuinely finds fulfilling.
Looking Ahead
Following his time at Design Ready Controls, Sam plans to continue pursuing a career in Quality Engineering. He sees the field as a place where he can apply his skills while contributing to an area that remains essential across the industry. Overall, Sam has greatly enjoyed his time so far at Design Ready Controls and is grateful for all he has learned as he prepares for what comes next.
