Founder of Eckhardt Optics LLC; optical engineer with 30 years of lens design and illumination experience.
Founder of Eckhardt Optics LLC, with a PhD in optics from the University of Arizona and 30 years of experience in optical design
Over the last ten years Steve has either worked with me as a colleague or reported to me. In both situations I have found him to be insighful and productive. He has the valuable ability to perceive challenges and opportunities that others may not have recognized, and to take action to address them. An example of this is the situation we found in 2004. We had developed a projection component that could significantly improve performace of LCOS projection systems, but the system needed to be designed appropriately. Steve proposed preparation of a reference design, but management felt this was out of scope for our team. He convinced me of the value of the effort, completed the design in addition to his other assignments, built prototypes, and showed them at SID. This led directly to volume sales of the component in an award winning projector built on a refinement of Steve's initial design. To avoid misimpressions I should stress that Steve is persistent but neither confrontational nor belligerent. He is a great team member, open to constructive criticism, and more interested in the success of his team than as being seen as the hero. I have greatly enjoyed working with Steve, and would do so again without hesitation.
Steve is a very highly skilled optical designer and engineer. He is determined to do his work as well as it can be done: in depth planning, comprehensive scope, proper selection of tools, perserverance, precise execution, good reporting. He has been a pleasure to work with. I hope to have to opportunity to work with him again.
I first met Steve in early 2003. I was impressed by his optical system design knowledge and ability. His design approach is elegant and innovative in its simplicity and effectiveness. The designs are robust, buildable, and successfully balance the often conflicting requirements of a state-of-the-art system.
Over time, I got to learn more about Steve's experiences and abilities ... they are extensive. He can be understated in conveying them to you personally, but the quality of his designs speaks loudly of the strength and diversity of those experiences and skills.
He always delivers a practical solution. He always delivers value. He supports his designs with solid analysis. And he showed an uncanny ability to work smoothly with many different types of teams, whether co-located with them or not.
