Angela Ellis
Angela Ellis is a product engineer in the Atlas Program, specializing in microchip manufacturing. After graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in computer science, she transitioned from a career in teaching to pursuing her passion for technology. Since joining Siemens in June, she has been focused on optimizing manufacturing processes, leveraging her technical expertise to drive innovation in the industry.
Watch Angela’s Day in the Life to learn more about her role as a product engineer in the Atlas program.
What’s the culture like at the Fremont office, especially among the young professionals?
The culture here is incredibly supportive and friendly, especially among the younger professionals. We have a group chat for new hires where no question is off-limits—there’s no fear of asking a “stupid question” because we’re all learning together. It’s amazing to see how quickly everyone jumps in to share their knowledge and help each other out. When folks are in the office on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, we often eat lunch together and talk about everything from personal hobbies and current events to tech trends and stories from our home countries. It’s a diverse group, with young professionals from Korea, Germany, Vietnam, Sri Lanka, and the Bay Area. The overall vibe is very collaborative, and the more senior employees do a great job setting a positive tone by encouraging work-life balance and lifelong learning. Given that the average age in our industry is 57, I imagine the experienced professionals are excited to see the faces of the “new generation” who will be bringing in the next round of advancements (if we are to keep Moore’s Law alive).
How has your experience been since joining the Atlas Program last June? What have been the most valuable learning experiences so far?
My experience has been a whirlwind of learning! There are times when it feels overwhelming, like I’ve just jumped into the world’s biggest, longest-running group project, and I need to figure out all the moving parts before I can contribute effectively. But no one expects you to be an expert right away—there’s an understanding that this work is complex and deep. I’ve learned to set reasonable expectations for myself, taking on tasks piece by piece and building from there. My coworkers have been incredible mentors, helping me get up to speed and showing me how to tackle problems even when you don’t have all the answers—just using the tools at hand and figuring it out as you go. Working alongside such accomplished professionals and learning directly from their example has been my most valuable experience so far. My manager has high expectations, and striving to meet the goals we’ve set has been challenging but incredibly rewarding.
What are your favorite hobbies or interests outside of work?
Outside of work, I love staying active. I’ve joined a local running group that meets a couple of times a week, and I take a volleyball class with my roommates. I also love dancing with friends in San Francisco and hiking to explore the beautiful outdoor spaces around the Bay Area. Movement is my way of unwinding and staying energized.
To learn more about the Atlas program, visit our Student Program & Early Careers site.
