Xavier Rachel, Composite Test Engineer.
With over five years of experience in the composites industry, Xavier Rachel has shaped his career by mentoring interns, traveling to assist customers with technical questions, and conducting tests within our lab. Whether he’s setting up an infusion or designing laminates in VectorLam, Rachel is working hard to provide the best support to our customers. In this spotlight, he shares the steps he took to get where he is today, offers advice for others interested in careers in STEM, and highlights the project that he’s most proud to have completed.
Q: What first sparked your interest in engineering and composites?
A: My interest in engineering began with a curiosity about how things are designed to meet a certain strength while remaining as efficient as possible. As I furthered my knowledge within engineering, composites stood out to me because they are a steadily growing industry. The use of composites allows for engineers to design accordingly to achieve great mechanical properties while increasing efficiency.
Rachel working in Vectorply’s composite test lab.
Q: What skills or experiences helped you succeed in this field?
A: I am what you may consider a “hands-on” guy. Working with Vectorply through our lab has helped me tremendously. From working with various layup processes to testing and analysis, these experiences have helped illustrate how theory translates into practice.
Rachel working with our South Central Sales Manager, Nick Haas, assisting Auburn University engineers in our lab.
Q: What’s one project you’ve worked on that made you feel proud or excited?
A: One of the projects that I was able to work on that made me feel most proud was the opportunity to help Auburn University’s Human Exploration Rover Challenge (HERC) team establish non-pneumatic wheels for their rover. Providing support to my alma mater was an exciting experience. Auburn’s team was able to compete in NASA’s HERC Challenge with the new wheels we had produced together. One of the fellow engineers noted that the wheels were the most reliable part of their rover and had no issues at all. Just the opportunity to give back to my alma mater and provide them with knowledge on some of the fabrication processes within composites meant a lot to me. (To read more about this collaboration with Auburn and Vectorply, click here.)
Rachel graduating from Auburn University in 2020.
Q: What advice would you give to students considering a career in STEM or advanced manufacturing?
A: I would suggest embracing learning beyond the classroom, whether that is achieved through internships or extracurricular activities. STEM is a fast-evolving field where new materials and processes are constantly emerging. Always seek to attain more knowledge. Don’t be afraid to experiment; if you make any mistakes, learn from them. That’s where the best insights come from.
Vectorply is honored to highlight Xavier Rachel as a valued member of our engineering team. His dedication to providing technical assistance- both in person and online, mentoring countless college students, and continually growing our lab capabilities has made a lasting impact on Vectorply and the composites industry. We are proud of his achievements and look forward to his continued success.
