There is no one-type of background requirement to join our team at APL. With no prior oceanography or boat experience, Evan brought forward his past experiences as an integrated project manager and engineer to the lab. He now finds himself testing equipment out at sea.
As Evan puts it, “Doing science out on a boat is just crazy!”
Assistant Program Manager for the Electronic and Photonic Systems department, Evan Carroll, joined APL in June 2022. In the Electronic and Photonic Systems (EPS) department, engineers work on large scale, state-of-the-art research projects for the National Science Foundation, the United States Navy and other sponsors. One project is the Regional Cabled Array – a cabled ocean system that provides a constant stream of real time data from the seafloor and through the water column across the Juan de Fuca plate. Evan is also a principal engineer, hired to help with APL’s new projects similar to the cabled array.
“Where in the world can you say, ‘I’m going out to sea to test some science equipment on the Ocean floor’?” – Evan Carroll
Evan assists in the recovery of a mooring on the Visions ’22 Regional Cabled Array research cruise.
Want to learn more about the Regional Cabled Array? Check out the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI)!
Originally, Evan earned his B.S. in mechanical engineering from California State University, Chico in 2012. Upon graduation, Evan applied to graduate school at the University of Washington (UW). At UW, Evan studied plasma physics while working in a lab studying astrophysics. Exposed to a lot of electrical engineering, Evan taught himself many aspects of electrical engineering without any additional classes. During this time, he also explored and learned a lot about high-voltage pulse power. He then earned his M.S. in Aeronautics and Astronautics in 2016.
After graduate school, Evan joined Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in Livermore, California, where he applied his knowledge in high-voltage pulse power and led the development of a new pulse power system. This system allowed the application of magnetic fields to inertial confinement fusion experiments on the National Ignition Facility (MagNIF). He worked at Lawrence Livermore as the lead pulse engineer and integrated project team lead for MagNIF for six years. Throughout this time, Evan gained project management and systems engineering experience, managing new experimental campaigns and their supporting lab spaces.
Although his time with Lawrence Livermore was meaningful, Evan and his family were ready to leave northern California. With his spouse and kids from Seattle, Evan circled back to APL. Evan was originally introduced to APL during his graduate program. He spoke to many APL machinists, engineers and researchers and was intrigued by APL’s research and efforts. Towards the end of his time with Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, he looked into the APL open job postings online. Evan looked every three months for an engineering or scientist position.
At face value, Evan’s background in pulse power didn’t directly relate to oceanography; however, a lot of the skills he gained during his experiences in grad school time and time with Lawrence Livermore translated well with APL’s oceanography programs. In 2022, Evan saw the opening for a program manager role within the EPS department. He applied and called the department head. After speaking with the department head and senior principal investigator, Evan was offered a position. He happily accepted, and he and his family moved back home to the Seattle area.
Unlimited Opportunities and Variety at APL!”
B.S. Mechanical Engineering, M.S. Aeronautics and Astronautics
I was drawn to APL during grad school, talking to researchers and engineers who worked at APL. After working at Lawrence Livermore for six years and wanting to come back to Washington, I circled back to APL. Not only was the research and work at APL fascinating to me, but I also wanted to relocate to the Seattle area. The Pacific Northwest is home.
I had a handful of people who steered me to APL. First one has to be the APL machinist I met while in grad school – Reggie Rocamora. We started chatting and he was adamant that I take a look at the APL job postings. In addition, during my graduate program I had mentored a graduate student in mechanical engineering (ME), and I learned about the APL through him. He was completing his masters in ME and working closely with APL. Two other people who helped were Mike Harrington (Director, EPS Department) and Chuck McGuire (Senior Principal Engineer). They both were heavily involved with my interview process for the program manager position. I was drawn to APL during grad school, talking to researchers and engineers who worked at APL. After working at Lawrence Livermore for six years and wanting to come back to Washington, I circled back to APL. Not only was the research and work at APL fascinating to me, but I also wanted to relocate to the Seattle area. The Pacific Northwest is home.
I came onboard in June of 2022, and I’ve already been out to sea. It was an incredible experience, being on the Visions ’22 cruise, where we maintain and service the Regional Cabled Array, offshore the coast of Oregon. It was my first time being out at sea. At one point, we were dealing with rough waters. It was exciting and a lot of fun. Trying to install science equipment, working with an awesome team, it was all pretty special. Working only at a desk versus working at a desk and out at sea? I’ll take the latter!
Where in the world can you say, ‘I’m going out to sea to test some science equipment on the Ocean floor’?”
