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Teammate’s tool idea casts a 3D grip on safety

From autos to aerospace, technician’s aim to “strive for better” brings ergonomic relief to the team she now leads.

September 03, 2025 in Innovation

When Eloney Lewis joined Boeing as a subassembly technician on the Patriot Advanced Capability-3 (PAC-3) seeker program after nearly 20 years in automotive manufacturing and computer hardware refurbishment, she brought a safety-first mindset, hands-on experience and a strong desire to learn.

Why it matters: Three years later, that combination of traits has helped her drive ergonomic improvements for her team — even earning her a recent promotion to team leader.

  • “When I came to Boeing, I learned very quickly that I'm part of protecting lives. That same safety mindset carried with me: Always work to the best of your ability and strive for better.”

Driving the news: During a recent Safety Day at the Boeing Huntsville, Alabama, site, Lewis voiced the need for improved ergonomic support for soldering irons.

  • Although she had no prior soldering experience before joining Boeing, she worked with Safety and Engineering specialists to design and produce 3D-printed ergonomic grips for use in the PAC-3 seeker factory.

Values in action: From automobiles to aerospace, Lewis maintains a “safety first, quality always” approach no matter the task.

  • “In this job and my last one, what was always demanded of me was ensuring the safety of people,” Lewis said. “When you purchase a vehicle, you want it to be safe because you’re in it and your family is in it.”

Leading by example: Embracing her role as a leader, Lewis still sees herself as part of a team thanks to the supportive colleagues around her.

  • “The people and the culture are good here. They care about you and want you to succeed,” she said. “I can say that I actually love my job. Between the people, the mission and benefits ... I’ve never had a mix like this.”

The big picture: Lewis’ advice for anyone interested in similar jobs at Boeing Huntsville: 

  • “Don’t be intimidated. When I first came here, I had no idea what the Patriot system was, but they offered support and training. Now I’m part of something bigger than myself.”