Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1543032
FEBRUARY 2026 I SMT007 MAGAZINE 53 How do you feel about Summit Interconnect's strong commitment to this program and to young engineers, and what would you say to other com- panies considering it? It's great that Summit is doing what they're doing. There are a lot of talented people here at Summit that really just need the chance. I extend that to other companies too. There are many young and eager individuals who want the knowledge to advance their careers or advance their understanding of the industry. Sometimes, all they need is an opportunity. Again, I'm really happy and grateful that Summit extended that opportu- nity to me, and I encourage other employers to do the same. Obviously, the experience has been good for you, but would you also say it has been good for Summit? Yes, for sure. I came out of the program and the conferences feeling like a more well-rounded, informed individual, especially getting some perspective on assembly and other aspects of the industry beyond fabrication. I hope other companies will support their employees by engaging in this program because they will benefit by getting back a more refined and knowledgeable employee. Julian, you've experienced a lot of success already. What's next for you in your career? I would love to become a field application engi- neer because they help bridge the connec- tion between the designer and the fabricator. My desire to develop into that position really did stem from the Global Electronics Association and APEX EXPO. The whole experience was just great. When I went to the APEX EXPO, learning about the design viewpoint of PCBs ignited a fire in me. I have this passion for fabrication now and a secondary passion for design. Being a field appli- cation engineer perfectly brings the two together. Julian, it sounds like you are on your way. I wish you much luck and hope to see you at APEX EXPO. Thank you, Marcy. SMT007 Safety First: ADAS, Connectivity, and Interfaces EVs function as intelligent, software-centric platforms where safety, connectivity, and user experience are deeply intertwined. Advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), vehicle connectivity architectures, and digital driver interfaces now play a central role in both vehicle operation and customer perception. EVs provide synergies for ADAS and connectiv- ity because their strong electrical base provides a natural framework for integrating the advanced sensors, telematics, and high-reliability control units required for ADAS and connected systems. As these systems proliferate, their electronics' reliability increasingly governs not only functional safety but also user trust and brand reputation. ADAS: Safety-Critical Electronics ADAS technologies such as automatic emer- gency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane keeping assistance, blind-spot detection, and driver monitoring are among the most safety-crit- ical electronic systems in an EV. These features rely on a fusion of sensors including cameras, BY STANTON RAK, SF RAK COMPANY radar, ultrasonic sensors, and increasingly LiDAR, all coordinated by high-performance processors. Reliability challenges arise because ADAS elec- tronics must operate accurately under extreme temperature swings, vibration, precipitation, road debris, and electromagnetic interference (EMI). Field investigations have shown that sensor degradation, misalignment, or contamination can lead to false alerts or system disablement, under- mining both safety and driver confidence. In some cases, vehicles revert to reduced-func- tion modes when sensor data becomes unreliable, impacting usability even when no hardware failure has occurred. The shift toward centralized or zonal electronic architectures further amplifies reliabil- ity risk. Multiple ADAS functions may now reside on a single domain controller, improving efficiency and reducing wiring complexity but increasing the consequence of single-point failures. Read the full article in the February 2026 issue of I-Connect007 Magazine. ROAD TO RELIABILITY SERIES