Product Designer | Mechanical Engineer | Strategist

7+ year engineering professional at the intersections between industrial design, engineering, and product development. Currently working on market analysis for future products, and zero-emissions technologies with the Commercial Vehicles Development team at Hyundai America Technical Center.

Education

California Polytechnic State University

BS Mechanical Engineering, June 2018
Focus: Product Design, Vehicles

Experience

Product Planner, Commercial Vehicles R&D

Hyundai America Technical center, Inc. (HATCI) — Los Angeles, CA
November 2021 - Present

Commercial Vehicles R&D team developing product lineup and brand strategy for North American market entry. Principle product planner for MD-HD Truck/Bus/Van segments.

Mechanical Engineer

GoWesty Camper Products — Los Osos, CA
February 2019 - October 2021

Automotive aftermarket parts developer dedicated to keeping the iconic Volkswagen camper Bus, Vanagon, and Eurovan on the road for the long-haul.

We pride ourselves on developing innovative solutions to keep these vehicles on the road to adventure—often in better shape than when they came off the factory line. We strongly believe that keeping these vehicles on the road combats the "throw-away" mentality so pervasive in this day and age. We think it matters. We hope you do, too.

Check out this recent article by Autodesk’s Fusion 360 blog where a co-worker and I discuss designing products for the #vanlife and Volkswagen community!

• Led interior and exterior trim, lighting, and camper project development from concept to launch

• Designed mechanical assemblies and components for domestic and overseas mid-volume, production

• Identified new product opportunities through vendor, customer service team, and consumer feedback

• Specialized in end-user research and human-centered design during engineering and cross-functional discussions

Mechanical Engineering Intern

King Nutronics Corporation – Woodland Hills, CA
July 2017 - September 2017

Precision test and calibration instrument manufacturer for the Defense, Aircraft, Avionics, Petrochemical, and Utility industries. Researched and identified critical failure issues in a legacy pneumatic pressure control valve, implemented subsequent manufacturing improvements and quality verification methods, and proposed design changes for future development.

• Researched critical failure issues in a legacy OEM pneumatic pressure control valve

• Analyzed, characterized, and validated original design intent, performance, and quality standards

• Created testing procedure for a pneumatic pressure test safety chamber

• Introduced quality verification methods with both in-house fabrication and vendors

Mechanical Engineering and Project Management Intern

Accel Biotech, Ximedia Dx – Los Gatos, CA
June 2016 - September 2016

ISO biotech contracting firm with in-house design, prototyping, and manufacturing. Team member for three projects that spanned from early concept design, through product development prototypes, and into manufacturing for clinical trials.

• Directed concept development and proof of concept prototyping for a consumer health analysis device

• Scheduled and led engineering and industrial design teams; conducted client meetings

• Produced full drawing sets, BOM, and manufacturing instructions to support phase transition from prototypes to clinical units for a laboratory-grade sample analysis device

Drafting Intern

Steven K. Wood Architecture – Boonville, CA
June 2012 - September 2013

Drafting, Drawing, and Modeling – AutoCAD, SketchUp, Tradigital, Sketching
Rendering of several building and restoration projects. Projects included Fruit Stand, Winery-Creamery Tasting Room, and Cold Food Storage/Packing facility.

• Rendered CAD models and produced detail drawings from architect’s concept sketches

• Led restoration project from research, concept, and sketching phases through design, drafting, and permit submissions