Christy Ricardo is a Systems Engineer for the Gemini North Telescope within the development team in affiliation with NFS’s NOIRLab. Before transitioning to systems engineering within Gemini, she was a telescope operator on Maunakea with 10+ years operating & observing with multiple world class telescope facilities including the Smithsonian Submillimeter Array (SMA), Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), and the Gemini North Telescope. She first transitioned into SE as an Optical Systems Engineering through Arete Associates developing leading-edge lasers and sensing devices for DoD contracts. Her educational background includes a MS in Applied Physics focusing on Optical Materials and Devices from the University of Oregon and a BS in Physics and Astronomy from Northern Arizona University. During her professional career she has contributed to the development of numerous astronomical and DoD laser systems.