Tara Astigarraga

Tara Astigarraga

Distinguished Engineer & Master Inventor, IBM
NC

Engineers!

Sangeeta Kodukula
Stacey Swisher Harnetty
Danielle Forget Shield
Annet Sorisho
Satya Anur
Anna Provaznik
Victoria Coverstone
Reine Johansen
Debbie Sterling
Erin Rosenthal
Carolyn Begnoche
Courtney George
Computers
Education
Machines
Close Up
  • What I Do

    I am the lead engineer in our Systems Assurance space. I am responsible for our test organization and ensuring we deliver quality products to our customers. I work in solutions test, meaning I focus on hardware and software components that create customer solution patterns.

  • Why Engineering?

    I accidentally chose STEM my senior year of college, after an internship at IBM made me aware of all the options in STEM and that it was an area I enjoyed. Not knowing anyone who worked in that field growing up it wasn't anything that I had originally considered but I am very glad that I found a path in STEM. 

  • School Days

    University of Arizona

  • My Day At Work

    I spend my days solving problems and learning how to best enable my teams to continually improve the ways we develop, test and create hardware and software solutions. I work daily with worldwide team members and get pulled into different teams that need help solving critical problems. 

  • Best Part

    The best part about my career journey is I didn't plan it out. After my accidental start in the field of engineering I've been enjoying the ride and have had a chance to work across Development, Test, Corporate and Research divisions, learning and growing along the way. 

  • Proud Moments

    Two career accomplishments I'm most proud of are achieving Distinguished Engineer and being featured in a Smithsonian Exhibit titled "Picturing Women Inventors".

  • Challenges

    For me, imposter syndrome and gaining confidence were two of the biggest struggles I faced working in Engineering. 

  • My Family

    I am married to my husband Julio and we have two teenage daughters. We currently live in Raleigh, NC.

  • Dreams and Goals

    I want to inspire the next generation of dream chasers in STEM with specific focus on increasing the representation of Women and Native Americans in STEM. 

  • Inspiration

    My parents set a great foundation for me growing up and taught me to chase my dreams. They were my greatest supporters and inspired me to do things I wasn't sure I was capable of doing. 

  • Want to be an Engineer?

    Don't be afraid to choose a path in STEM. No one can know everything and as long as you are curious and willing to learn its a great path to explore. 

  • Hobbies

    Outside of work I love spending time with family. Our favorite things to do are travel, explore, eat and anything soccer related. 

Biography
I am a Distinguished Engineer who has over 80 patents! I love building products that are often used in banks and stores and that help process data for the things we rely on daily. I had an untraditional path into STEM and enjoy solving problems.
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Volunteer Opportunities
  • I am willing to be contacted by educators for possible speaking engagements in schools or in after school programs or summer camps.