In his current position as a Senior Software Engineer for Stanley Black & Decker, Steven Carpenter’s primary role is to support new product development for consumer and professional tools. In the last few years, Stanley Black & Decker has been heavily investing in new product development in the outdoor tools and equipment segment of the business. Steven and his team work on developing new all-electric versions of lawn mowers, string trimmers, ride-on products, etc. Specifically, he writes code for motor control electronics, which are used to spin the motors in the products with battery power. The aspects of his job Steven enjoys most are the work environment, being able to identify a problem and solve it, and contributing to the development of products that can be seen on the shelf of a store.
When looking for a school to complete his undergraduate degree, one of the aspects of the engineering program that drew Steven to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ was the Collaboratory. Although at the time he didn't anticipate just how significant it would be, he has developed a deep appreciation for the opportunity the Collaboratory provided to combine Christian faith with engineering. As part of his work with the Collaboratory’s Solar Photovoltaics team, Steven helped build solar PV systems that store energy from the sun to be used by communities throughout the day and night. After his team contributed to the system design, they travelled to Zimbabwe and Kenya to install the panels, electronics to control the system, and the batteries needed. The experience of being able to assess the need of a client and figure out how to meet the need has been helpful in his current job as he seeks to work with a team to provide satisfactory products.
In the years since his graduation, Steven has continued to stay connected to ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ through keeping in touch with professors, attending the annual Symposium, and assisting with the Collaboratory’s project reviews. Reflecting on his time at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ, Steven shared appreciation for the involvement of his professors, saying, "I think the faculty was really excellent in the Department and I am very thankful to have studied there."