Beyond the Office: Garland Operations Machine Operator Explains How His Training and Experiences Have Shaped His Career

Paligen Technologies’ Machine Operator Dylan McKevlin knew from a young age he had an interest in manufacturing and production. So, when he became an employee at Garland Operations nine years ago, he was excited and ready to work.

However, there was one thing that surprised him – and still does. “The scale of this facility boggles my mind,” he said. “I try and wrap my head around it.”

Though the sheer size of Garland Operations in Garland, Texas impresses the Dallas native every day, it also contributes to what McKevlin likes most about his job – moving around the plant and contributing to something greater than himself.

Before the Garland facility, he worked in warehousing and entry-level production. McKevlin attributes developing his adaptability and flexibility in these earliest years of his career.

Dylan McKevlin,
Paligen Technologies
Machine Operator

These soft skills are especially useful in his current position. In addition to serving as a Machine Operator with a focus on computer numerical control (CNC), McKevlin is also a key member of the facility’s safety committee. Monthly safety walks, International Organization for Standardization (ISO) audit preparations, and identifying ways for continuous improvement and efficiency are among his top focuses.

“The safety committee gives me the opportunity to focus on things that are easy to miss when working on the machines,” he said. “I enjoy making suggestions and seeing them come to fruition.”

McKevlin’s diverse training has laid the foundation for his attention to detail. He completed a two-year apprenticeship through Dallas College that combined classroom training with on-the-job training at Garland Operations. He also holds OSHA10, OSHA30, and Lean Six Sigma certifications. McKevlin most recently completed the ASQ Yellow Belt training, and he is in the process of taking the exam.

This continuous education and diverse on-the-job experiences put McKevlin on the path to achieving one of his top career goals – to develop professionally. “I have a strong passion to become a leader,” he said. “I want to train the next generation of Paligen employees.”