Daniel Gordon, Contributor at Large
At Mini-Circuits’ facility in Hialeah, Florida, a quiet transformation has been gaining momentum. For years, the site played a crucial role in assembling products like power splitters, directional couplers, and other components. But more recently, the Florida team has expanded its capabilities into production testing.
What began as a focused effort to test a few product lines has evolved into a busy operation that now tests over 80 percent of the products assembled in Florida. It’s a major milestone for the company’s ability to deliver fully finished, quality-assured products directly from one facility. In the words of Test Engineer Hema Lingaladinne, “From the first piece to the finished product, everything is built, tested, and ready to connect.”
The transition didn’t happen overnight. A few years ago, Mini-Circuits Florida’s test department focused primarily on splitters and couplers. Test units would often travel back and forth between Florida and New York, where the main test department is headquartered. That meant extra time, extra packaging, and added complexity.
As production volume grew and the Florida team demonstrated its capability and consistency, leadership saw an opportunity to bring more of the test process in house in Hialeah. The facility began expanding its portfolio—first to include switches, low-frequency models, then amplifiers, and eventually other assemblies. Today, the site tests a wide range of products across multiple categories and typically ships them directly to the New York warehouse.
“We’ve always known this team was capable,” said Raquel Sanchez, who started in Mini-Circuits’ New York headquarters and now leads the Florida test operation. “We were given the opportunity to take on more, and we’ve shown that we can deliver.”
Mini-Circuits Florida’s test department is lean and highly focused. Test operators work alongside Hema, who leads engineering and process optimization efforts. Their lab includes specialized equipment, workbenches, and dedicated setups for each product family. On any given day, the team might be conducting manual tests, troubleshooting a failed unit, or drafting new procedures for an upcoming product launch.
Support from the New York team remains constant. Leadership works closely with the Florida site to coordinate and ensure alignment at all times. “We’re in lockstep every day,” Hema said. “It really is a team effort.”
That synergy is especially important when it comes to failure analysis. If a unit doesn’t pass testing, the team performs hands-on diagnostics, checking connections, replacing cables, or opening up the housing to inspect for damage. When the issue isn’t immediately visible, they collaborate with engineering counterparts in New York, sharing data, visuals, and findings until they identify a root cause. The lessons are applied and preventive steps implemented.
Both Raquel and Hema take pride in mentoring operators through the process. “We love translating technical challenges into solutions the team can understand and apply,” Raquel said. “And when we see that knowledge being used to improve the next test, it’s very rewarding.”
The Florida team’s success has created a new model for what Mini-Circuits can achieve regionally. By increasing the number of products tested on-site from around 25% in 2023 to more than 80% today, the Florida facility can essentially serve as a full-cycle production center with assembly, testing, quality control, and shipping all under one roof.
A more self-contained workflow accelerates delivery timelines, reduces shipping overhead, and frees up bandwidth at other locations. It also allows more direct troubleshooting, since issues can often be resolved in real time. In some cases, products are now shipped straight from Florida to the customer.
“There’s a sense of ownership,” Hema said. “We’re not just testing. We’re making sure what we send out reflects the quality Mini-Circuits stands for.”
And the expansion isn’t stopping. With plans to begin testing mixers next, the team is already preparing for future growth. Each new product family brings new equipment, new procedures, and new challenges—but also new confidence. As Raquel put it, “The company is relying on us, and that’s energizing. Our work comes alive here.”
We have two new members who have contributed significantly to these events: Ramsiva Reddy Bayyapureddy, a Test Engineer supporting the new procedures, switch and amplifier testing, as well as troubleshooting. Another new member is Davante Reid, an operator who has quickly learned amplifier testing from Ramsiva and is now assisting with the tests.
Beneath the technical progress is a culture of care, inclusion, and evolution. Operators and engineers alike feel empowered to speak up, solve problems, and support each other. Knowledge transfer is a daily practice. Raquel and Hema often translate procedures into Spanish to make sure all team members understand not only the instructions, but the underlying concepts.
“We want every person here to feel part of the success,” Raquel said. “Mini-Circuits is both a family and a community.”
Mini-Circuits’ Florida test department may still be growing, but its impact is already being felt across the company. From improving internal workflows to enhancing customer fulfillment, the team is quietly reshaping what it means to deliver complete, trusted products at scale.
The momentum seen and felt today? It’s just the start.
You must be logged in to post a comment.