This work was part of the manufacturing process for particle detectors used in the ATLAS project at CERN. I started with no soldering background at all and learned the lab process from the ground up.
What makes the project meaningful to me is the progression. I did not come in already knowing the work. I started with simple bench tasks, learned how to handle parts and tools properly, and gradually took on more of the full detector assembly process.
Step by step, that grew into:
- soldering and rework on delicate electronic assemblies
- assembling detector components, not just working on the supporting electronics
- reading schematics and following production instructions closely
- documenting each stage through worker forms
- potting parts of the assembly with epoxy
- running high-voltage tests, sometimes in the 2900V to 4000V range
What mattered most in this project was process discipline:
- careful bench work
- consistency across repeated procedures
- attention to small failures before they became larger ones
- learning physical tools, parts, and handling standards properly
It sits alongside the software work here because it built many of the same habits: patience, troubleshooting, traceability, and respect for systems where every small step matters.