Product Development Engineer
Drannan joined the DENTALEZ Oregon team just one year ago, as a Product Development Engineer, reporting to Engineering in Bay Minette, AL. He came to us with a background that included many years of experience in Sr. Mechanical Engineering, Sr. Product Design Engineering, Leadership and Project Management.
Drannan is seen as a ‘boots on the ground’ kind of colleague, for any and all things technical that pop up at the Hillsboro site. He’s also a member of the Bay Minette Engineering team where he’s responsible for the design and development of new products, as well as the implementation of product improvements, cost reductions, and product issue resolution efforts for existing product lines.
His working style, as he juggles all of those responsibilities, is to initially approach each new project with quiet reserve as he assesses the situation, then his personality emerges and the team dynamic quickly evolves. Drannan is part of the group in Hillsboro referred to as the ‘Engineering & Quality Corner’. They’re described as sharp, fun and always approachable.
We asked him all of our favorite questions:
What is your role at DENTALEZ?
As a Product Development Engineer, I address issues and suggest fixes when it comes to engineering, quality, product, and most Oracle issues in production at the Hillsboro site.
What roles had you previously held (whether at DENTALEZ or another company) that either made it possible for you to enter your desired field or helped you learn specific things for your position today?
There are two things that come to mind. First, I loved taking apart my toys as a child to see how everything worked, and how to put everything back together. Extra parts you ask? Were these extra parts really needed? This is when I began to realize I wanted to be an Engineer.
Second, I credit working for Climax Portable Machine Tool for teaching me how to become an advanced user of ERP software and with it how to do many of the little things I do in Oracle to solve issues on a daily basis.
What do you like about working in the dental industry?
I like working in dental - and actually, medical as a whole - industries because the products we produce help people and make their lives better.
What's your favorite aspect of your job?
The people I work with. In this position, I've met very friendly, talented co-workers and they are among the many reasons I like coming to work. I also admire and respect the people I work for; the leaders are talented, hard-working people.
What's your favorite DENTALEZ product and why?
My favorite product by far is the 3900 chair with heat and massage! The combination of comfort and massage would make me almost forget that someone is pulling my lips and jaws apart to places they shouldn’t go.
Thanks for all you do Drannan!
