Ellen Bauman

Ellen Bauman graduated from Michigan Tech with a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering in 1990. She later returned to Tech and completed her master’s degree in electrical engineering in the spring of 1993.

Bauman started her career in 1990 as a field service engineer for Industrial Services Technology in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She developed conveyor control systems and oversaw their installation in various Midwestern manufacturing sites. After completing her master’s degree, Bauman accepted a position at IBM in Rochester, Minnesota, working as an associate engineer on the AS/400 Entry Systems development team. She is still employed by IBM today as a senior technical staff member within the IBM Infrastructure Group.

During her 30 years with IBM, Bauman has held a variety of development, architecture and leadership positions. She was involved in developing the first integrated RAID cache used on IBM’s mid-range systems. She designed and developed high-speed interconnects used in both IBM’s high-end servers as well as industrial supercomputers. She architected the virtual platforms used for processor and system validation. Most recently, Bauman was the lead for the end-to-end bring up of the IBM Power 10 Systems platforms. Bauman's experience in system design, as well as her desire for innovation, have allowed her to be an active participant in IBM’s patent process. She currently holds 25 patents filed in the U.S. Patent Office.

Bauman is a member of IBM’s Women in Engineering and Technology network and has been a member of the Rochester chapter of American Business Women’s Association. In addition, she takes great pride in her involvement with IBM’s youth mentor programs. One program she has been involved with is EXCITE, a summer camp for seventh grade girls to learn more about science and engineering. She also participates in IBM’s Engineering Week activities, visiting area middle schools to help teach youth about various engineering fields by conducting experiments and completing simple projects. Bauman is also active in IBM’s mentor program, working with early and mid tenure employees in furthering their careers.

While at Michigan Tech, Bauman was a member of the Michigan Tech Student Foundation, and later served as a representative on the Graduate Student Council.

Bauman continues to give back to Michigan Tech. As an active member of the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering Corporate Advisory Board, Bauman provides guidance to the department on accreditation, curriculum, and graduate and undergraduate program activities. 

Bauman and her husband, Scott (an ’89 and ’92 electrical engineering grad), live in Rochester, Minnesota, and have three children, Elizabeth, Ethan, and Jack.

In 2010, in recognition of her significant achievements, Ellen was inducted into the Presidential Council of Alumnae.

Updated October 2024.