I joined PCI as a research engineer directly after obtaining my PhD because it offered multiple opportunities to perform research in exciting areas related to clean energy. I personally enjoy being involved in all aspects of the work from the project management to the hands-on work in the lab because it gives me a well-rounded understanding of transitioning an idea into a viable technology. I’ve also been able to do my own research, propose new R&D projects to the Federal Government, and run those projects as the principal investigator.

The enthusiasm and work ethic of the employees is what attracted me to PCI. The work here is innovative and the employees are driven to find new and creative clean energy solutions. PCI has given me the opportunity to work as a Mechanical Engineer and develop my skills in project management, process, and controls engineering as well as mechanical engineering disciplines such as heat transfer and fluid mechanics. The work at PCI is challenging and rewarding.

PCI challenges me to improve my skills as well expand my scope of vision to include the financial aspects and "big picture" for a project. As a Mechanical Engineer, PCI gives me the opportunity to grow into areas that I’d like to explore and learn more about such as project management and chemical engineering. I've had the chance to take my prototypes to off-site trials, and to work substantially with our customers' engineers. I look forward to seeing my products move from concept all the way into commercial use.

PCI was a great place to start my career after getting my PhD because I had the opportunity to get involved in various team-based R&D projects. Over the years I’ve had different roles and responsibilities and have continued developing my hands-on R&D skills, learned how to interact with customers, and developed my project management skills. I’ve enjoyed building my knowledge of fuel reforming/fuel cell systems and applying that knowledge directly to my projects. PCI challenges me to contribute to various projects on a daily basis, to develop my teamwork and interpersonal skills, and to be committed to giving my best performance as an individual and on a team. As a Director, PCI also gives me the opportunity to lead technology development efforts and expand the company’s technology portfolio.

I started here at PCI in 1996. What makes working at PCI interesting is that we are an R&D company involved with multiple clean energy technologies. This has allowed me to work on lots of different jobs over the course of my career. I enjoy the challenge of working on different technologies as I feel it makes me a better technician. I really enjoy working at PCI because we are a smaller company. The environment here has allowed us to become a very close group, with many friendships evolving both inside and outside of work.

I saw PCI as an opportunity to broaden one of my areas of interest by working directly on cutting edge energy applications while enhancing my analytical and design skills through hands-on work with innovative technologies. From design to manufacture to testing, PCI has allowed me to see my ideas and my designs come to fruition.  PCI offers a unique opportunity to experience a wide array of responsibilities in the development process, so that you can determine what you enjoy most. What truly makes PCI a great place to work is its people.  Our employees are diverse in their backgrounds, knowledge and interests, and the company works hard to foster a personal and flexible team environment where each person’s strengths are accentuated, a free exchange of ideas is encouraged, and the employees’ personal and professional needs are a high priority. 

I chose Precision Combustion, Inc. for the challenge of working in a fast-paced research environment. To be able to hold in your hands a finished product that, only a few days or weeks prior, was a series of raw materials and components, is a simple pleasure that I have experienced many times here at PCI. In my time with PCI, I have worked on multiple projects in a variety of roles, from small-scale fabrication to system integration to testing novel components.