Bullen Ultrasonics, known for its expertise in precision machining of advanced ceramics, glass, and specialty materials through proprietary ultrasonic and laser technologies, has introduced its Junior Engineer Program. This comprehensive 24-month initiative is designed to build workforce capabilities by offering participants a clear route to earning an associate degree in engineering or a related technical discipline. Developed in partnership with Ivy Tech Community College, the program highlights the company’s focus on nurturing in-house talent while supporting the growth of the regional advanced manufacturing sector.

“Mastering Bullen’s technologies and processes requires both in-depth technical knowledge and practical experience,” said CEO Tim Beatty.

“Investing in our employees is essential to our long-term success. This program integrates accredited education with hands-on mentorship, preparing our team members to evolve into future engineering leaders within the company.”

Created with guidance from Bullen’s technical experts and aligned with Ivy Tech’s Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering Applied Science (AMEAS) curriculum, the program blends classroom learning with on-site labs, mentorship, and project-based training tailored to Bullen’s precision machining operations.

Brandi Jackson, Vice Chancellor of Workforce and Development at Ivy Tech Community College, emphasized the value of the collaboration, noting that it demonstrates how industry and education can work together to deliver career-focused learning. By connecting accredited coursework with Bullen’s operational requirements, the initiative equips employees with practical skills that support long-term career growth while strengthening the local manufacturing workforce.

The program focuses on developing highly skilled, analytical, and data-oriented fabrication engineers from within Bullen’s existing workforce. Selected participants—identified as high-potential operators—remain in their current roles while dedicating structured time to engineering training, reducing the company’s reliance on external hiring.

Mentorship is a central component of the initiative. Each participant is paired with an experienced Bullen engineer who provides technical guidance and exposure to real-world challenges across areas such as process engineering, controls, machine design, and metrology. This structured model builds on earlier informal mentoring efforts, where senior engineers collaborated with interested operators on practical engineering projects.

Springer Smith, ultrasonic technology manager and technical lead for the program, explained that the initiative grew organically from these earlier efforts. As operators expressed interest in engineering careers, regular problem-solving sessions evolved into a more formal structure. By combining mentorship, hands-on projects, and academic study, Bullen established a pathway for employees to transition into engineering roles while reinforcing its long-term talent pipeline.

To maintain strong academic standards alongside practical relevance, selected Bullen engineers have completed Ivy Tech’s instructor certification process. These certified instructors are now authorized to deliver Ivy Tech-aligned coursework and labs on-site, effectively connecting classroom concepts with real manufacturing applications.

Participants can earn Ivy Tech credits applicable toward certificates or an associate degree in engineering. The program uses a flexible format, combining online coursework with instructor-led labs and applied projects conducted at Bullen’s facility.

Spanning four phases over two years, the program begins with foundational concepts and culminates in a capstone project. Core areas of study include mathematics, safety, and machining fundamentals; control theory and process understanding; system integration and data analysis; and a final continuous improvement project.

Throughout the program, participants complete competency-based assignments and performance evaluations. Graduates receive a Bullen Certificate and are well-positioned for future technical roles within the organization. The first cohort will include up to six employees, ensuring focused mentorship and high-quality instruction.

By integrating formal education, certified internal trainers, and ongoing one-on-one mentorship within an active manufacturing setting, the Junior Engineer Program underscores Bullen Ultrasonics’ commitment to continuous learning and internal talent development as drivers of long-term innovation.

Click here to know more about careers at Bulle.

Baker Hughes, a leading energy technology company, has partnered with the University of California, Berkeley, to establish the Baker Hughes Institute for Decarbonization Materials at UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry. This long-term collaboration aims to bridge cutting-edge academic research with practical innovation to advance scalable, cost-effective climate technology solutions for sustainable energy development.

Under this partnership, Baker Hughes will fund research focused on developing advanced materials for various energy and industrial applications, including carbon capture, utilization, and storage (CCUS), hydrogen, and clean energy production. The company will actively contribute to shaping the research agenda from its inception, ensuring alignment with evolving market and customer needs, and integrating discoveries into its climate technology portfolio.

“Innovation and collaboration are essential for building a diverse range of technologies to meet today’s and tomorrow’s energy demands. This partnership with UC Berkeley’s College of Chemistry represents a significant step in our commitment to sustainable energy,” said Chris Pin Harry, Vice President of Technology for Industrial & Energy Technology at Baker Hughes.

The institute will be directed by Jeffrey Long, a distinguished UC Berkeley professor and global expert in materials science, known for his pioneering work with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for capturing carbon dioxide and other industrial emissions. Baker Hughes’ funding will support research by Berkeley’s team of experts in materials science, computational chemistry, process engineering, and techno-economic analysis. Chris Pin Harry and Daniela Abate, VP of CCUS and Climate Technology Solutions at Baker Hughes, will join the institute’s joint steering committee.

Initial research efforts will concentrate on designing advanced materials, such as new chemical structures like MOFs, as well as developing gas separation and chemical conversion technologies. These projects will leverage AI and machine learning to expedite the discovery of innovative materials and solutions.

“Our goal is to create materials that can efficiently adsorb gases without requiring significant energy,” said Professor Long, the institute’s executive director. “While we can design materials at the atomic level, industrializing these innovations requires partners like Baker Hughes. Together, we aim to produce scalable, market-ready solutions to lower emissions urgently.”

This collaboration builds on Baker Hughes’ ongoing work in climate technologies, including its acquisition of Mosaic Materials in 2022. Mosaic Materials, originating from Professor Long’s lab, specializes in direct air capture (DAC) technology, which is currently being tested in pilot projects to accelerate commercial deployment.

The institute reinforces Baker Hughes’ dedication to investing in technologies that effectively reduce emissions across various industries.