Klaus F. Stricker ('70, Mechanical Engineering)

Klaus F. Stricker

President, Vision & Motion Technologies, Inc.

BS Mechanical Engineering, Cal Poly Pomona, 1970

MS Mechanical Engineering, California Institute of Technology, 1971

Born and raised in Hamburg, Germany, Klaus F. Stricker immigrated to California in 1960 to seek a better future and more professional opportunities. He decided to attend Cal Poly Pomona because it emphasized the practical aspects of engineering through extensive courses in machining operations and other mechanical disciplines, such as sheet metal parts and welding.

During his senior year, Klaus accepted a position as a teaching assistant at the California Institute of Technology in Pasadena. After graduation, he joined the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where he designed the engineering model of the tape recorder for the 1975 Mars Mission Orbiter Spacecraft.

After several more career moves—all centered on magnetic tape products—Klaus started his own company and patented an improved tape cartridge tensioning mechanism. Later, this technology was ruggedized for military and space applications and the company was sold to a larger military products manufacturer. An entrepreneur at heart, Klaus went on to form a new company, where he offered engineering consulting and product development on a contractual basis for commercial, industrial and military/aerospace products.

Klaus encourages engineering students to decide as early as possible on a career path. “If you want to work for a large corporation, determine whether you prefer a hands-on or a management role. If you’re the entrepreneurial type, search out a small company that specializes in product areas you’re most interested in, and get exposed to more of the business operations.”
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