Athena Manufacturing’s Engineering and Programming Teams Put Quality First
Many manufacturers think of quality as the final checkpoint, when in reality the most robust quality systems begin at the earliest stages of a project.
At Athena Manufacturing, consistent quality comes from having the right processes and a highly qualified team. Quality is a shared responsibility across departments; every person who touches a part plays a critical role in determining whether it will meet expectations.
Let’s explore what that looks like from both the engineering and programming sides of Athena.
Engineering Directly Impacts Quality Outcomes
Our 11-person engineering team is responsible for translating what customers need into something production can execute. Just as critically, they’re tasked with catching problems before they can escalate.
One of the most effective ways to improve quality is by identifying potential challenges early through Design for Manufacturing (DFM) feedback to customers. These recommendations help reduce lead times, lower costs, improve throughput, and eliminate challenges before they can spiral into problems impacting production.
Will Johnson Leads Our Engineering Efforts
As Engineering Manager, Will Johnson helps support and develop the engineers who work directly with production teams. Will came to Athena with a mechanical engineering degree from Texas A&M and previous experience as a mechanical design engineer in the aerospace and defense industry, so he understands firsthand how design decisions impact manufacturing outcomes.
By focusing on process development and proactive engineering involvement, Will helps create an environment where quality is built into every project from the beginning.
Programming Makes Engineering Intent a Production Reality
Even the most well-designed part still needs a well-written program that translates requirements into clear, repeatable machine instructions. That’s where Athena’s programming team becomes the next critical link in maintaining quality.
Jorge Prado Helps Bridge Engineering and Production
As a Programmer II, Jorge Prado works closely with both the engineering team and machine operators; this puts him in a unique and crucial position to catch the gaps that can open up between what a specification says and what our machines are capable of.
His adjustments, which are often small enough that our customers don’t even notice, improve repeatability, increase process efficiency, minimize sources of risk, and yield greater overall production consistency.
According to Jorge, "Our customers depend on us to deliver high-quality products on time, so I focus on quality, communication, and reliability in everything I do."
Our Team’s Success Is a Direct Result of Growth
Our company’s ability to consistently deliver high-quality products to our customers is a direct result of the ongoing development of our people.
Jorge’s journey is an excellent example of this. After immigrating to the United States from Venezuela in 2016, Jorge joined the Athena team in 2017, working in the warehouse. His dedication to his craft and willingness to embrace new opportunities allowed him to progress into machine operation and eventually programming. Today, with that experience, Jorge contributes directly to improving quality and efficiency for Athena’s customers.
Similarly, Will’s passion for developing employees and improving processes strengthens Athena’s engineering department, which in turn creates a long-term ripple effect across the organization.
What This Means for Athena’s Customers
When quality is part of the process rather than something that’s checked at the very end, the results are remarkable:
Fewer surprises mid-production
Better communication throughout projects
Parts that are more consistent from one order to the next
Improved manufacturability
Reduced risk
More predictable delivery
If this is what you’re looking for in a manufacturing partner, connect with us so we can support your next project.