Thousands of dedicated Pantex citizens like Tim Sanchez work every day to support the Pantex mission. Take three minutes to learn about who he is, what he does, and why he is proud to be a Pantexan.
Software Engineer Tim Sanchez hoped to fulfill a soon-to-be college graduate’s dream — secure a job before donning that cap and gown. He sent out résumés, one of which arrived at Pantex. Pantex called, but after one interview, he never heard back. So, Sanchez accepted a job elsewhere, working web and mobile development along the way. Two years later, the bomb plant rang again, this time with an offer.
Sanchez joined Engineering, serving as a software developer. Although he enjoyed the job, as time went on, he wanted to return to web and mobile development, but at Pantex. With a little patience and time, he found just the job to fulfill that budding interest.
“I maintain TheZone, various org sites, contacts, and the paging system within contacts,” Sanchez said. “I mainly work on the backend of our applications. That includes handling and managing our APIs, or data endpoints, and logic and server communication to our frontend. Essentially, I manage things that users don’t usually see.”
With some keyboard-and-mouse wizardry, Sanchez has helped produce many other amazing code-based products, one of those being a well-missed blast from the past.
“I’m proud to have been part of reviving the AdZone,” Sanchez said. “That was really cool to bring that back to Pantex. The database table already existed, we just had to build from there. Now, it’s used often, just a nice resource for Pantexans.”
Sanchez’s pride for his work doesn’t stop there, though.
“We are the only assembly and disassembly plant, and although we IT people don’t work directly with the weapons, we contribute,” Sanchez said. “I’m extremely proud to be a part of the mission.”
Call it timing, fortune, luck, or whatever the case, Sanchez remains thankful a job and his ideal position opened up at Pantex. He’s grateful to be an asset to, and invested in, something greater than himself. And along the way, he has discovered one of his favorite things about being a Pantexan.
“The people,” Sanchez said without hesitation. “I have met some of my closest friends here. Just a great place to make new, strong relationships. Plus, everyone is always willing to help, and that makes our mission a success.”
Why is being open to learn from others critical for mission success?
Learning from SMEs and others helps us better grasp what we’re trying to do before we actually do it. It also helps us ensure we are providing correctly for the mission overall.
What advice would you give to a new employee?
Pantex and your job may be overwhelming at times with all the approvals, abbreviations, and so on. It will take time to learn. You don’t have to understand everything the moment you get out here, so don’t panic. You were hired for a reason. Trust in that.
What’s your favorite outside-of-work activity and why?
Hanging out with my wife and kids. Doing crafts, playing outside, and more. It’s always fun to do stuff with them after work and on weekends. They keep me busy all the time.