A Light Bulb Goes Off for Terri Wallace
It all started with a clap. Clack! A brisk, loud sound that turned a light bulb on and off.
As a high school student in the United Kingdom (UK), Terri Wallace built a light bulb that operated with a clap of hands as part of a design and technology course. Inspired by her early exposure to engineering, Terri began a career in harness design, which eventually led her to work for Cummins' in Milton Keynes, UK.
Think Like a Customer
As a Harness Design Engineer in Cummins' Electrified Power Business Unit, Terri's role involves the mechanical and electrical design, installation and fitment of harnesses into Cummins' battery packs. Harnesses are the wiring which are used to connect voltage and temperature sensors, as well as other components from the cells to the Battery Management System (i.e. the brains of the battery), ensuring that the battery operates efficiently and safely. Terri's approach to design is simple:
"If I wouldn't buy it, it isn't going into our products."
By thinking like a customer, Terri brings a high level of meticulousness into her work, ensuring the placement and existence of all harnessing is functional because that is where the quality of a product resides. Her greatest satisfaction is receiving the wiring from a supplier and seeing it fit perfectly into the pack.
Make Your Mark... Like a Mollusk
Terri's methodical approach also spills into her performance at work. Terri began her career as a loom wirer then grew to manage a 15-person team, building a high level of expertise in harnessing during the process. Terri takes pride in leaving her mark. When asked what animal she'd like to be, she says it would be a mollusk.
It's not an animal known for its ability to blend in, but it always leaves a substantial amount of traceability.
Now, working for Cummins, Terri maintains the same level of performance. Keen on leaving her mark, she's played a key role in the design of harnesses for all the battery packs Cummins has developed to date. She's motivated by being surrounded by specialists, whom she can learn from on a daily basis. Her current goal is to continue gaining expertise in her area and she already sees the next step for herself - she'd like to move into the battery pack testing systems team.
From a single clap to endless possibilities, Terri continues to pursue her passion. Bravo, Terri!
Interested in learning more about Careers within Cummins' Digital Accelerator? Click here.
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