Rachel Thayer
About Rachel Thayer
Rachel Thayer is a Mechanical Engineer at Sandia National Laboratories, specializing in tribology and the development of composite materials and solid lubricant films.
Current Position at Sandia National Laboratories
Rachel Thayer is a Mechanical Engineer at Sandia National Laboratories based in Albuquerque, NM. She has held this position since 2013. Her work includes leading research efforts to understand leak rates and hermeticity requirements on components. Thayer also serves as the lubrication lead for a development team, and specializes in the development and characterization of composites and sputtered solid lubricant films.
Previous Roles at Sandia National Laboratories
Rachel Thayer previously worked as a Graduate Student Intern at Sandia National Laboratories from 2011 to 2013 in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During her internship, she gained valuable experience that contributed to her professional growth and expertise in mechanical engineering.
Education and Academic Background
Rachel Thayer holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, achieved from the University of Florida from 2009 to 2012, focusing on Tribology. In addition, she earned a Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Florida between 2007 and 2009. She also completed a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering at the same institution from 2003 to 2007. Thayer attended Eastside High School from 1999 to 2003.
Internships and Early Career
Rachel Thayer's early career includes several internships. She was a Facility Asset Management Intern at Walt Disney World in 2007. Additionally, she worked as a Vehicle Evaluation and Verification Intern for Ford Motor Company in 2006. These roles provided her with practical experience in asset management and vehicle evaluation.
Expertise in Mechanical Engineering
Rachel Thayer has developed a strong expertise in microscale and macroscale tribometry, wear modeling, and life prediction of coatings. She has designed and constructed experimental equipment for research purposes. Her specialization includes leading the development and characterization of composites and sputtered solid lubricant films.