Resume
Leader, Scientist, Developer
Sean Owen Clancy, Ph.D.
Leader, Scientist, Developer
Revised: July 2025
: United States : seanclancy.org : meATseanclancyDOTorg : seanclancy : seanclancy : l9IWAtIAAAAJ : 0000-0002-3560-1469
Profile
- Engineering, Laboratory, Personnel, Project, and Program Management: Experienced leader, people manager, and scientist with a strong background in data and instrumental analysis, materials science and engineering, and product and process creation, while leveraging expertise in interdepartmental communication, data-driven decisions, and problem-solving.
- Applied Research and Engineering Development: Developed materials for a wide range of applications. Materials and equipment selection, process development, experimental design, failure analysis, and characterization for reliability enhancement and risk reduction. Fixture and tooling design with rapid prototyping using additive manufacturing (3D printing), laser cutting, and machining.
Research Interests
- Development of functional materials and manufacturable processes for barrier, biomedical, charge storage, corrosion mitigation, electronics, energy storage, light emission, optical, semiconductor, sensor, and thin film coating applications.
- Data analysis and visualization for monitoring, reporting, and troubleshooting of machine data in additive manufacturing, coating deposition, electronics manufacturing services (EMS), and remote sensing applications, which includes agriculture, building/home automation, citizen science, environmental, and space applications.
Work Experience
Senior Director of Materials Science, HZO, Inc. (2024 to Present)
- From the Marketing, Sales, and Technology groups, demonstrate excellent teamwork and collaboration skills by managing cross-departmental technology development and multi-national manufacturing projects with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Technology departments for driving process enhancements and yield improvements for barrier and functional coatings for electronic assemblies, wafer-level and packaged components, anti-reflection (AR) coatings for sensor die, and many other products.
- Optimize Chemical Vapor Deposition (CVD) coating processes using Computer-Aided Design (CAD) of baffles, fixtures, jigs, and tooling, which improved fluid-vapor flow behavior, thickness uniformity, and coating quality, as well as Design of Experiments (DoE) and statistical analysis methods, which resulted in a significant reduction in process time and increased precursor material efficiency.
- Support manufacturing engineers with subject matter expertise (SME) for new product introduction (NPI), process development, and troubleshooting.
- Present technical data to internal management, potential and existing customers, and diverse external audiences, and represent the company across multiple platforms with technical publications, conference presentations, webinars, as an invited podcast guest, and serving on standards development committees for the IPC electronics manufacturing trade organization.
- Lead a team of interns, engineers, scientists, and technicians with tasks divided among supporting customer requests, materials characterization, and new technology development.
- Wrote custom Excel VBA macros to reduce the analysis and reporting time from hours to less than five minutes for generating multiple publication-ready, time series process charts, Trained others to use these macros for coating systems installed across North America and Asia, which has also led to significant time reductions in troubleshooting equipment and processes.
Adjunct Professor, The University of Utah (2018 to Present)
- Use knowledge of current industry trends and experience as an advisor to faculty, students, and the Materials Characterization Lab (MCL) in the Department of Materials Science and Engineering (MSE).
Director of Materials Science, HZO, Inc. (2020 to 2024)
- From the Marketing, Sales, and Technology groups, demonstrate excellent teamwork and collaboration skills by managing cross-departmental technology development and multi-national manufacturing projects with Production, Engineering, Quality, and Technology departments for driving process enhancements and yield improvements for barrier and functional coatings for a variety of products.
Director of Coating Technology, HZO, Inc. (2019 to 2020)
- From the Technology group, managed and analyzed coating equipment process and materials properties and performance, as well as reliability and qualification testing according to industry standards, along with proprietary and customer-specified test and data analysis methods to drive improvements and recommendations to process and equipment engineers across multiple sites.
Chemical Engineer, HZO, Inc. (2018 to 2019)
- Developed fundamental knowledge and practical expertise for transferring “lessons learned” from R&D to Production across multiple sites for coating deposition and supplemental processes that led to over 100M+ parts coated across consumer electronics and high-reliability product vertical markets.
Chemist and Project Manager, HZO, Inc. (2014 to 2016)
- Generated and presented technical data to internal management, potential and existing customers, and diverse external audiences, in addition to representing the company across multiple platforms with technical publications, conference presentations, and serving on standards development committees for the IPC electronics manufacturing trade organization.
Associate Director and Program Manager, University of Utah (2017 to 2018)
- Strong leadership skills and experience in educating and managing engineering students as the MCL staff for analysis on projects for cross-departmental academic groups and industrial clients.
- High-level strategic planner with design and marketing skills as demonstrated by delivering brochures, an updated website, slideshows, outreach programs, and led tours promoting the lab.
CEO, Co-Founder, and Principal Consultant, Clancy and Associates Technical Services LLC (2016 to 2019)
- Excellent relationship builder and innovator with expertise in STEAM fields (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics), delivering consulting services with practical solutions to development, manufacturing, and process issues, as well as advice, instrumental analysis, and training services to clients in the defense, electronics, materials, and industrial services markets.
Research Associate, ACI Technologies, Inc. (2008 to 2014)
- Excellent teamwork and collaboration skills illustrated by managing high-value projects in electronics manufacturing through many aerospace industry vendors for the US Navy, as well as leading laboratory services for commercial clients in an ISO 9001 Quality System-registered facility, and according to ASTM, IPC, JEDEC, MIL, and other standards.
- Knowledge of root cause failure analysis and materials characterization, as evidenced by delivery of over 550 project reports with $1M+ in commercial sales.
- Experience clearly communicating complex topics, as illustrated by eleven articles for EMPFasis, a publication of the Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility (EMPF), with two articles republished in Printed Circuit Design and Fab/Circuits Assembly: The Journal of Surface Mount and Electronics Assembly; a “Failure analysis techniques for electronics” instructional and technical marketing book with a case studies companion presentation for commercial services and professional skills training courses; and delivered instruction for professional skills training courses: Failure Analysis and Reliability Testing in Electronics and Electronics Manufacturing Boot Camps.
Staff Scientist, NanoSelect, Inc. (2006 to 2008)
- Designed, synthesized, and analyzed materials for functional coatings for electrodes on integrated circuits serving as electrochemical sensors for analytes in aqueous solution.
Graduate Research Assistant, University of Southern California (2000 to 2005)
- Designed, synthesized, and characterized conjugated polymers, metal-coordinating ligands, and lanthanide complexes for light-emitting applications, such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, chemical sensing, and optical signal amplifiers for telecommunications.
Graduate Research Assistant, Texas A&M University (1999 to 2000)
- Designed, synthesized, and characterized conjugated polymers, metal-coordinating ligands, and lanthanide complexes for light-emitting applications, such as organic light-emitting diode (OLED) displays, chemical sensing, and optical signal amplifiers for telecommunications.
Research Technologist, Mayo Clinic (1997 to 1999)
- Synthesized and characterized organic compounds for medicinal research as diagnostic tools and therapeutic candidates for muscular and neurodegenerative diseases in the form of carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides, monomers, and oligomers of peptide nucleic acids via solution or solid-phase synthesis, which led to multiple publications by the primary investigators.
Pharmacy Technician, Winn-Dixie (1992 to 1997)
- Assisted pharmacists in accurately preparing medications prescribed by healthcare professionals, along with providing customer service, managing payments, maintaining inventory, communicating with insurance providers, and training staff on a UNIX-based pharmacy computer system.
Education, Academic Qualifications
2010, Certificate, Project Management, University of Delaware, Wilmington, DE
- Professional and Continuing Studies Program
2005, Ph.D., Chemistry, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
- Concentration: Light-Emitting Materials, Organic Synthesis, Polymer Science, Photophysics, Materials and Data Analysis
- Dissertation: Design and syntheses of polymeric materials for visible and near-infrared emitting applications
- Advisor: Aaron Harper, Ph.D., Department of Chemistry and the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute
1997, B.Sc., Chemistry, University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL
- Concentration: Flow Injection Analysis (FIA), Instrumental Analysis, Organic Synthesis, and Physical Chemistry
- Advisor: Stuart Chalk, Ph.D., Department of Natural Sciences
1993 Diploma Jacksonville, FL Stanton College Preparatory School
- Concentration: Six-Year Magnet High School Program (7th through 12th Grades) with Advanced Placement (AP), Honors, International Baccalaureate (IB), and Foreign Language (French, 5 Years; Latin, 4 Years) Coursework
Continuing Education
Selected Certifications
- 2024, October. AI Applications of Machine Data in the EMS Industry. Instructor: Tim Burke, Ph.D., IPC International, Inc.
- 2024, February. Correlation and Regression – Statistical Thinking for Industrial Problem Solving (STIPS), SAS, JMP View credential.
- 2024, February. Decision Making with Data – Statistical Thinking for Industrial Problem Solving (STIPS), SAS, JMP View credential.
- 2024, February. Design of Experiments – Statistical Thinking for Industrial Problem Solving (STIPS), SAS, JMP View credential.
- 2024, February. Exploratory Data Analysis – Statistical Thinking for Industrial Problem Solving (STIPS), SAS, JMP View credential.
- 2024, February. Quality Methods – Statistical Thinking for Industrial Problem Solving (STIPS), SAS, JMP View credential.
- 2024, February. Statistical Thinking and Problem Solving – Statistical Thinking for Industrial Problem Solving (STIPS), SAS, JMP View credential.
- 1997, June. Amateur Radio Operator License, Technician Class License, Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
Selected Short Courses
- 2021, November. Becoming an Effective Leader. Instructor: Becky Williams, REALM Leadership, HZO, Inc.
- 2019, October. Nanotechnology: A Maker’s Course, Coursera
- 2017, June. Radiation Safety Training for Analytical X-Ray, Radiation Safety Office, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, University of Utah
- 2016, March. Failure Analysis for Improved Reliability. Instructor: Bhanu Sood, NASA, IPC International, Inc., IPC APEX 2016 Conference
- 2016, March. Robust Coating Processes in the Factory: Methods, Critical Parameters, Problems, and Remedies. Instructor: Douglas Pauls, Rockwell Collins, IPC International, Inc., IPC APEX 2016 Conference
- 2016, March. Cleaning for Reliability: How Clean is Clean? Instructor: Mike Bixenman, Kyzen Corporation, IPC International, Inc., IPC APEX 2016 Conference
- 2016, March. Printed Circuit Board (PCB) Fabrication Basics: Process and Specifications. Instructor: Jim Vanden Hogen, Plexus, IPC International, Inc., IPC APEX 2016 Conference
- 2012, October. Atomic Layer Deposition (ALD) Short Course. Instructor: Steven George, Ph.D., American Vacuum Society (AVS) Southern California Chapter Short Course Program, University of California at Los Angeles (UCLA)
- 2009, February. Benchmarking and Best Practices, Benchmarking and Best Practices Center of Excellence (B2PCOE), ACI Technologies, Inc.
- 2008, June. Failure Analysis and Reliability Testing in Electronics, Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility (EMPF), ACI Technologies, Inc.
- 2008, May. Electronics Manufacturing Boot Camp B: Advanced Electronics Manufacturing, Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility (EMPF), ACI Technologies, Inc.
- 2008, May. Electronics Manufacturing Boot Camp A: Electronics Manufacturing Processes, Electronics Manufacturing Productivity Facility (EMPF), ACI Technologies, Inc.
Selected Publications and Presentations
Refereed Journal Papers
- Perido, J., Denis, K., Clancy, S., Cothard, N. F., Day, P. K., Glenn, J., Leduc, H., Quijada, M., Patel, J., and Wollack, E. (2024, October). Metal-mesh linear variable bandpass filter for far-infrared wavelengths. Applied Optics, 63(29), 7674-7681. Local PDF
- Witker, D. L., Clancy, S., Irvin, D. J., Stenger-Smith, J. D., and Irvin, J. A. (2007, February). Electrochemical deposition of a new n-doping polymer based on bis(thienyl)isopyrazole. Journal of the Electrochemical Society, 154(4), G95-G98. Local PDF
Paper and Presentation in Refereed Conference Proceedings
- Clancy, S. and Askin, R. (2022, January). Behind closed doors: What you don’t know about your CVD chamber. IPC APEX EXPO 2022 Conference Technical Proceedings. Local PDF
Conference Presentations and Webinars
- Clancy, S., Schueller, R., Genthe, C., and Leone, P. (2024, May). Creep corrosion in electronics: A panel discussion. IPC Engineering Webinar Series. Local PDF
- Clancy, S. (2022, October). Ensuring long-term performance while managing affordability and environmental impact: Developments in electronics conformal coatings and related processes. The Nanotechnology Show 2022, Pittsburgh, PA.
Patents and Patent Applications
- Askin, R. and Clancy, S. (2025, January). Increased deposition efficiency via dual reactor system. HZO, Inc.
- Janik, J., Clancy, S., and Lawrence, B. (2024, March). In situ polymerization of para-xylene for production of Parylene F-like coating. HZO, Inc.
- Clancy, S., Lawrence, B., and Niebroski, A. (2023, December). Plasma ashing for coated devices. HZO, Inc.
- Clancy, S. and Tosh, J. (2023, September). Fixtures for chemical vapor deposition gradient coatings. HZO, Inc.
- Stevens, B., Yun, Y., and Clancy, S. (2020, October). Incorporation of additives into protective coatings. HZO, Inc.
- Baker, L., Clancy, S., and Hsueh, C.-L. (2020, February). Hybrid parylene-metal oxide layers for corrosion resistant coatings. HZO, Inc.
- Stevens, B., Yang Yun, Y., and Clancy, S. (2017, October). Combining different types of moisture-resistant materials. HZO, Inc.
Book
- Clancy, S. (2012, December). Failure analysis techniques for electronics. ACI Technologies, Inc.
White Paper
- Chislea, B. J., Frizzell, B., Clancy, S., Schwartz, J., Rak, S., Lee, J., Neves, B., Kennedy, J., Pedersen, J., and Munson, T. (2025, July). The importance of reliable charging station electronics for building a sustainable EV ecosystem: “R” you ready? Global Electronics Association and HZO, Inc. Local PDF
Awards and Honors
- 2023, Top Banana Award: Awarded by the head of Marketing and Sales for successful progress by new product development team. HZO, Inc., Morrisville, NC
- 2016, Certificate of Appreciation for speaking at an SMTA Intermountain Chapter Meeting. SMTA Intermountain Chapter, Draper, UT
- 2015, People’s Choice Award: Awarded by a peer for excellence in teamwork. HZO, Inc., Draper, UT
- 2014, People’s Choice Award: Awarded by the head of HR for excellence in teamwork. HZO, Inc., Draper, UT
- 2010, Invited panelist for nanotechnology health and safety, Nano for Business 2010 Conference. Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA
- 2005 to 2006, ASEE/NRL Postdoctoral Research Fellowship: Awarded for an ASEE/NRL proposal on the synthesis and computational chemistry of soluble electron deficient (n-type) conjugated polymers. American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) and the Navy Research Laboratory (NRL), China Lake, CA
- 2000 to 2005, Research Assistantship [Beckman Foundation Research Fellowship (2000 to 2002), Harold E. Moulton Graduate Fellowship (2004), and Benson Endowed Fellowship (2003 to 2005)]: Awarded for successful progress during my graduate studies and work as a Graduate Research Assistant in the USC Department of Chemistry and the Loker Hydrocarbon Research Institute. University of Southern California (USC), Los Angeles, CA
- 1997, Above and Beyond Employee Recognition: Awarded for successful anti-sense (RNA-binding) and anti-gene (DNA-binding) experiments using the peptide nucleic acid (PNA) sequences that I synthesized. Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, FL
Current Memberships
- Global Electronics Association (formerly known as the IPC)
- SMTA (Surface Mount Technology Association)
Service
Advisory Councils
- 2024 to Present, Advisory Group member for e-Mobility (Electric Vehicle) Quality and Reliability (EVQR) with the Global Electronics Association HZO, Inc., Remote
- Serve on the e-Mobility (Electric Vehicle) Quality and Reliability (EVQR) Advisory Group to help ensure quality, reliability, and safety to grow knowledge and develop solutions to e-MobiIity and automotive challenges and help deliver high quality, high reliability electronic hardware in battery management systems (BMS), charging stations, and inverters.
- 2022, Advisory Board for “The Nanotechnology Show 2022” with Event Partners Limited HZO, Inc., Remote
- Served on the Board for the Nanotechnology Show 2022 and provided guidance on directions in environmental, health, and safety concerns regarding materials used in coatings and related nanotechnology industries, along with the reliability and sustainability for electronics and other markets when using nanometer and micrometer-thick thin film conformal coatings.
Standards Development Committees
- 2014 to Present, Industry Standards Development Committees for the Global Electronics Association HZO, Inc., Remote/Various Conferences
- Serve on standards development committees for conformal coatings, cleaning processes, solder masks, corrosion of metal surfaces, and more.
Selected Skills
Management
- Engineering (20+ years), People (10+ years), Product (15+ years), Project (20+ years), Program (15+ years)
Soft Skills
- Adaptable, Collaborative, Communication, Creative, Critical Thinking, Emotional Intelligence, Empathy, Innovation, Strategic Thinking, Task Delegation, Team Building, Technical Writing
Natural Languages
- English (native), Limited understanding of French and Latin (from 5 years French and 4 years Latin in high school). Experienced using many language translation tools.
Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- AutoCAD, Autodesk Fusion 360, FreeCAD, OnShape, SolidWorks, Tinkercad
Data Science Tools, Statistical Analysis, and Visualizations
- JMP, Minitab, R, R Markdown, Jamovi, SQL, Python, Shiny, Tableau, Visual Basic (VBA)
Document Creation, Design, and Editing
- LaTeX, Microsoft 365 (Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Word, Teams), Google Workspace (Docs, Sheets, Slides), Apple Keynote, Numbers, Pages
Image Analysis
- ImageJ (FIJI): Calculate Solder Joint Void Percentage, Contact Angle, Determine Particle Count, Dimensional Analysis, Moiré Pattern Analysis
Self-Hosting Applications and Services
- Docker, Linux, macOS, Raspberry Pis, Synology, Windows, Virtual Machines (VMs); Archiving, Text Mining, Webscraping, WordPress
Manufacturing, Additive
- 3D Printing, 3D Scanning, Generative Design, Rapid Prototyping, 3D Printing Slicers, 3D Mesh File Processing and Editing, Photogrammetry
Manufacturing, Electronics
- Active and Passive Components, ICs, PCBs, PCBAs, Soldering, Cleaning, Coating, Handling, Enclosures, Design for Manufacturing (DfM), Design for Excellence (DfX), Design for Reliability (DfR)
Manufacturing, Subtractive
- Chemical, Plasma, and Laser Ablation, Ashing, and Etching Processes; Laser Cutting/Etching and Machining Processes
Thin Films
- ALD, Composites, CVD, Electropolymerization, Hybrid, iCVD, MLD, Multilayer, Nanolaminate, PECVD, PVD, SAMs, Solvent-Based Deposition, Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Infusion, UV-Cured Materials
Technical Services
- Computers, Consulting, Failure Analysis, Materials Characterization, Materials Selection, STEAM, STEM, Training
Technology Development
- 3D-Printed Functional Components and Designs, Bioactive Molecules, Coatings, Electronics, Energy, Semiconductors, Sensors, Technical Services
Chemistry and Materials Science and Engineering
- Analytical, Biochemistry, Ceramic, Computational, Electrochemistry, Inorganic, Metal, Organic, Organometallic, Physical, Polymer, Quantum, Synthesis
Electrochemical Processes and Testing
- Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), Immersion Testing, Sequential Electrochemical Reduction Analysis (SERA), Surface Insulation Resistance (SIR)
Environmental and Regulatory Requirements
- California Prop. 65, EPA TSCA, EPEAT, Halogen Content, PFAS, PFOA, PFOS, REACH, RoHS
Environmental Stress Screening
- HALT, HAST, Immersion, Ingress Protection (IP), Salt Fog/Spray, Temperature-Humidity-Bias (THB), Thermal Cycling, UV Accelerated Weathering
Imaging
- AFM, C-AFM, Digital Photography, Endoscopy, FTIR, Metallography, Multispectral (UV, Visible, Infrared, Thermal, Thermography, Transmission X-Ray), Optical, SEM, SPM, Time-Lapse
Materials and Process Development
- Anti-Corrosion, Anti-Reflection, Barrier, Biomedical, Charge Storage, Dielectric, Optical, Sensor
Material Properties and Performance Testing
- Barrier Testing, Cross-Sectional Analysis, Electrical Testing, Functionality, Microscopy, Profilometry, Purity and Identity Testing (GC-MS, HPLC, IC, GPC, SEC, TLC), Spectroscopy, Thermal Analysis
Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA)
- Bond Pads, Bonding Wires, Cleaning, Coatings, Contamination, Corrosion, Counterfeit, Cracks, Electrical Overstress (EOS), Electrostatic Discharge (ESD), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), Flip Chip, Fractures, Grain Structures, Intermetallics, Leads, Metallization, Package, Passivation, Platings, Solder Joints, Surface Finishes, Surface Preparation, Wetting Spectroscopy DRIFTS, EDS, Ellipsometry, FTIR, MS, NMR, OES, UV-Vis-NIR, XPS, XRD, XRF