Professional growth doesn’t always mean following a predetermined career path. Often, it starts with employees gaining new skills, learning from those around them and discovering where their strengths can make the greatest impact.
For Sharon Lee, that journey led from ITI’s Inventory team to a technical role in Quality.
Sharon joined ITI as an Inventory Clerk, where she gained firsthand familiarity with the parts and processes that support ITI’s products. As her experience grew, so did her opportunities to develop new skills. During her time at ITI, Sharon has completed training in IPC-A-610 Acceptability of Electronic Assemblies, AS9100 and forklift operation, and she is currently enrolled in an SAE Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T) certification course.
Just as important has been the opportunity to learn directly from experienced members of ITI’s Quality team. Working alongside senior team members, Sharon received hands-on training in receiving inspections and contributed to process development in the area.
That combination of formal training and on-the-job experience helped prepare Sharon to transition into her current position as a Quality Technician.
Today, Sharon oversees receiving inspections for incoming parts, verifying their accuracy and conformity to engineering drawings and ensuring vendor documentation meets ITI’s quality requirements. She works closely with Purchasing and vendors to address non-conforming parts and documentation discrepancies, supports the production floor in resolving potential quality issues and helps maintain the flow and processing of non-conformances.
Her role has also given her an opportunity to pass along what she has learned by training engineering interns on incoming inspection criteria.
“Knowing the intricacies of acceptability on parts has ensured a reduction of unnecessary rejections and solid backing for rejecting incoming parts when they do not meet the engineering drawing requirements,” Sharon said.
For employees interested in pursuing a similar path in Quality, Sharon recommends building a strong technical foundation early.
“Start by becoming familiar with engineering drawings and acceptability standards,” she said.
While training has played an important role in Sharon’s development, she credits the people around her with making her experience at ITI especially meaningful.
“The people here are AMAZING,” Sharon said. “We have a great team that supports each other in all areas. We share knowledge.”
That shared knowledge has helped Sharon grow from supporting ITI’s inventory operations to playing a direct role in ensuring the quality of the products leaving its facilities. For Sharon, that responsibility is ultimately connected to something bigger than the inspection process itself.
“I have a passion for supporting our warfighters and take great pride in ensuring we are putting forth a quality product they can rely on in the field.”
Sharon’s journey reflects the value of creating opportunities for employees to learn across teams, develop new technical skills and take on greater responsibility. By combining professional training with mentorship and hands-on experience, ITI continues to invest in the people behind its mission.