John Deere
Staff Materials Engineer
Mr. Lopez graduated from Iowa State with an M.S. degree in Materials Science and Engineering, and a B.S. in Metallurgical Engineering. He also completed an A.A.S. degree in Nondestructive Testing from Northeast Iowa Community College prior to his transfer to ISU.
Rick is part of John Deere’s Advanced Materials and Factory Fluids group within the Intelligent Solutions Group division. He is the Enterprise competency lead for: Nondestructive Testing (NDT), and for Casting Technology Development. Rick also acts as the global internal resource for x-ray diffraction to determine residual stress. He currently holds ASNT NDT Level III certifications in the inspection methods of ultrasonic testing, magnetic particle testing, liquid penetrant testing, and visual testing (certificate #112467).
He joined John Deere in 2011, and prior to this had been with Iowa State University for 11 years in the roles of materials engineering and nondestructive testing roles. Roles prior to that included Quality Engineer at Mercury Marine, Engineering Intern at Boeing Commercial Airplanes, and experience as an ASME Code Welder and Radiographic Testing Technician at an eastern Iowa pressure vessel manufacturer.
Rick actively participates in NDT-related (committee E07) industrial standards development through ASTM and is a member of ASNT’s Handbook Development Committee.
Competency Lead: Nondestructive Testing, X-ray Residual Stress, Casting Technology Development
Intelligent Solutions Group (ISG)
Advanced Materials & Factory Fluids
2625 North Loop Drive, Suite 2646, Building 2, Ames, IA 50010
Phone: (309) 749-9337
Email: lopezrichardd@johndeere.com