Dan Sanders

Senior Technical Fellow
Boeing Research & Technology, Metallic Materials & Processes

Dr. Dan Sanders develops materials and processes related to metals technology for the entire Boeing enterprise. He began his career at Boeing as a machinist tool maker in 1979 and worked in that position while attending the University of Washington Mechanical Engineering Department. He received a BS, mechanical engineering (BSME) degree and transferred into Manufacturing Research & Development in 1985, where he worked as a manufacturing expert in aluminum, titanium and corrosion-resistant (CRES ) sheet metal fabrication for many years. Dr. Sanders was assigned the task of developing the superplastic forming process for Boeing and has been a subject matter expert for the company in that area since 1989. He received a master of science degree in engineering technology in 2002 and expanded his research focus into lasers, robotics, welding and other joining processes.

In addition to his current assignments at Boeing, Dr. Sanders completed a Ph.D. degree in mechanical engineering at the University of Washington, graduating in June 2008. He is currently working to develop innovative titanium manufacturing technologies to reduce the buy-to-fly material requirements for the 787, including laser welding and friction stir welding.