By Em Jankauski
Destiny is all about the decisions we make. Darrian Herniter took charge of hers when she joined the Battery Workforce Challenge collegiate competition as part of her senior design project at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology last fall. Now she’s a process engineer at StarPlus Energy, Stellantis and Samsung SDI’s joint venture battery gigafactory in Kokomo, Ind.
Herniter credits the innovation she witnessed and the connections she made on the Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology & Ivy Tech Community College’s BattChallenge team as real components that helped launch her career. While in the BattChallenge, she led the team’s hardware design components for the module-to-pack configuration and graduated with a bachelor’s in mechanical engineering from RHIT in Terre Haute, Ind.
Now, at StarPlus Energy, Herniter designs and optimizes production processes to enhance efficiency. She analyzes current systems and develops innovative solutions while troubleshooting technical issues and collaborating with cross-functional teams to implement process improvements. Herniter supports the development of cleaner solutions, benefitting both the environment and the economy.
Let’s catch up with this all-star alumnus in a Q&A.
Q: How did your time in the BattChallenge help prepare you for your current role in industry?
A: “Being a part of the Battery Workforce Challenge not only sparked my interest in the EV automotive industry, but it helped shape me into a well-rounded engineer.
“This competition was largely based on the communication side of engineering, which many engineers struggle with. The multiple presentations and reports not only helped me learn how to properly communicate ideas, but they also helped me be comfortable with presenting these ideas to others.
“In industry, it is vital to be able to clearly communicate complex technical information to a diverse audience. I’m grateful that I had the chance to participate in the BattChallenge and develop both my technical and communication skills.”
Q: You are one of the first students to graduate and join a Stellantis initiative. Were there any components from the competition that helped make the transition to working for the automaker’s new joint venture to create a new battery plant and gigafactory a smooth one?
A: “As a BattChallenger, I was given the opportunity to gain knowledge about the battery industry and the steps original equipment manufacturers strive to make towards net-zero emissions. When we first started this competition last fall, that initial research on EVs and the advanced technology that was being created were what drew me in.
“At the Fall Workshop, we toured the Stellantis Facility in Detroit. Seeing the innovation with my own eyes amazed me and made me excited to be a part of this industry. Not only the innovation, but the connections I made through this challenge have been great. Meeting and discussing with Micky Bly (Stellantis’ senior vice president and head of Global Propulsion Systems) about SPE made me realize how excited not only I was but he was to see this plant be built.
“One thing that made this a smooth transition from student to engineer here at the plant was that flexibility that I learned to have while in this competition. From key performance indicators changing to having to scrap an entire design and start fresh, learning to adapt and overcome has shaped me into a better-rounded engineer here in the industry.”
Seeing the innovation with my own eyes amazed me and made me excited to be part of this industry. Not only the innovation, but the connections I made through this challenge have been great.
Q: What advice do you have for current BattChallengers?
A: “My advice would be don’t be afraid to take on a project that isn’t in your comfort zone, never be scared to keep asking questions, learn to have patience and mostly don’t give up! With the help of my colleagues and faculty, we went through about six versions of different models, a lot of headaches and too many late nights, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.”
