About

About Bryan Hackleman

Bryan Hackleman, a Mechanical Engineer in the semiconductor industry, works for Fort Collins, Colorado-based Advanced Energy. The company designs and manufactures products required for the manufacture of many plasma thin-film industries as well as semiconductor, flat panel displays, data storage, telecommunications networks, solar cells, medical devices, and architectural glass.

His strong analytical skills in researching, evaluating, problem-solving, and troubleshooting distinguish him in his position. Bryan’s strengths also encompass project planning and management, as well as documentation and technical writing. He is familiar with ASME Y14.5 GD&T and multiple CAD programs, including PTC Creo, SOLIDWORKS, ANSYS, and Fluent. He is well-versed in Excel, Matlab, and Minitab data analysis, finite element analysis, and computational fluid dynamics. Bryan has a deep knowledge of the principles of Design-For-Manufacture (DFM)/Design-For-Manufacturing-Assembly (DFMA).

Bryan’s Responsibilities at Advanced Energy

In his role as a Mechanical Engineer, Bryan designs equipment used to make semiconductor devices. Utilizes SolidWorks to design derivative RF generators based on existing products to meet specific and demanding needs of customers. He designs sheet-metal enclosures, stamped and extruded heatsinks, and cable assemblies. He oversees the efficient packaging of electronic circuitry in protective enclosures and assists in troubleshooting, testing, and debugging prototype power supply units.

Bryan also supports and maintains the company’s existing lines of RF (Radio Frequency) generators by qualifying the new components’ mechanical and electrical efficacy due to obsolescence or scarcity of existing components. He performs thermal analysis of components to maintain the product’s high reliability.

In addition, Bryan’s expertise is sought after to support production with mechanical component issues, including DFM (Design for Manufacturing) concerns and changing assembly operations in build instructions to improve ease of assembly and to address out-of-tolerance parts from the supplier by recommending rework or working with the supplier to meet tolerances on parts.

Bryan was also an Assembler at Advanced Energy, which involved working independently from electrical schematics, diagrams, written and verbal descriptions, layouts, or defined plans. He assembled and tested electrical components and assemblies as well as mechanical assemblies and maintained a clean, organized, and safe lab space.

Obtaining His Mechanical Engineering Degrees While Also Working

Bryan Hackleman attended Colorado State University (CSU), where he obtained his Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering. His thesis was on the regeneration of oxidation catalysts via chemical washing. Bryan’s co-authored paper on the “Evaluation of Chemical Washing of a Degraded Natural Gas Engine Oxidation Catalyst” was presented at the 2018 Gas Machinery Conference in Kansas City, Missouri.

At the same time, Bryan attended CSU, where he also worked and gained tremendous experience for his future career. For two years, he was a Research Assistant at CSU Hydraulics Laboratory, where he was responsible for equipment maintenance, including bobcat skid loaders, four-stroke and two-stroke internal engines, electric motors, pumps, winches, valves, and pipe systems. He also prepared soil erosion experiments on a large hydraulic flume and fabricated scale models for performance testing of river diversion structures, spillways, dams, and outlet works. In addition, he assisted graduate engineering students in conducting and collecting data with various surveying equipment and point gauges.

From there, he worked for Pipeline Research Council International as a Research Engineer for two years. He was contracted to perform research on the degradation of oxidation catalysts on large-bore natural gas engines and the efficacy of chemical washing treatments to regenerate performance and meet emission standards. Bryan designed, planned, and conducted experiments in both laboratory and field settings. He used various spectroscopy equipment to collect and later analyze large data sets. He also documented all work performed, prepared, and presented deliverables to a technical committee.

An Artist

Bryan Hackleman, as a Mechanical Engineer, excels as a communicator, both written and oral, enjoys teamwork and collaborating with others, and has the ability to interpret an idea into reality through a process of innovation, design, development, and testing to meet the demands of customers. He is also curious, imaginative, and creative to figure things out and make something work better and more efficiently. He’s ready to try new things while also being analytical.

This imaginative and creative spirit also translates into Bryan’s passion for art. He is an aspiring artist who loves to paint and draw, primarily oil paintings and landscapes. He eventually wants to turn his hobby into a side career selling his art.

In addition to painting, Bryan’s hobbies include taking advantage of the great outdoors, fly fishing, and hiking. His penchant for outdoor activities is not surprising, as Bryan was born and raised in Colorado. He is a fourth-generation resident of Fort Collins on his dad’s side.

Bryan also enjoys reading, learning, and discovering new things that inspire him both at work and in his personal endeavors.