Princiap Engineer, Manager

GORDON P. SMITH, Ph.D.

KY EIT *****

**** ******** ******* *****, ** 42104

Cell: 270-***-**** Email: ************@*****.***

www.linkedin.com/in/gordonpsmith/

Cross-Functional Expert Physicist and Engineer Product Research and Design Testing, Validation, and Analysis Creative Solutions Occasional Warper of Reality

A multifaceted innovator, possessing a unique perspective that blends experience in applied physics, engineering design, and manufacturing. Resourceful problem-solver excelling in helping clients understand and clarify their design needs, ensuring a realistic and focused approach to solutions, and breaking developmental logjams. Emphasizes process development and continuous improvement to streamline operations and advance quality.

HIGHLIGHTS ACHIEVEMENTS AND EXPERIENCE

Currently leading an 18-member team of internal and external resources engaged in developing animatronic solutions. Increased depth and scope of engineering standards to improve consistency and throughput. Authored rapid quotation spreadsheets to enable the new business capture team 3-day turnarounds for time and materials. Debugged existing PDM software to improve workflow and better disseminate information company-wide. (Animax Designs)

Provided services to various companies to investigate novel approaches to industry problems. Provided conceptual approaches, theoretical analyses, design-of-experiments. Created prototypes, customized sensor arrangements and software interfaces to facilitate accurate data collection. Wrote final reports detailing results and next steps. (Personal Consultation)

Led 8-member team pushing the boundaries of additive manufacturing as applied to composite sandwich structures. Designed, analyzed and fabricated large-scale prototypes. Developed CAD approaches to define complex core geometries. Conducted test protocols to define and validate designs. Modified additive fabrication equipment operations, resulting in a 50% increase in throughput. As a direct result of my contributions, the company’s value rose from approximately $2.5M to an estimated $10M over an eighteen-month period. (Dynastrosi Laboratories)

Created solution interpreting student data for statewide technical college system, consolidating 18 once-independent systems with unique programs and requirements to current unified standard. This program far surpassed available tools and saved hundreds of man-hours annually in advising effort. (SKYCTC)

KEY SKILLS

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT INNOVATION R&D ENGINEERING TESTING

Leverages traditional engineering resources with physics insights, yielding creative and efficient outcomes

Develops data- and quality-driven solutions

Applies problem-solving skills and root cause analysis to mechanical/electrical/controls problems

Streamlines and documents process flows to improve productivity and quality

Integrates appropriate ASME standards to develop custom testing protocols

CLIENT RELATIONSHIPS BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

Manages ongoing client relationships and ensures client objectives are met.

Supports business development activities, providing technical expertise and capture support.

ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT

Builds innovative teams through focused collaboration and mentoring

Works to improve engineering accessibility throughout organization

Resolves team conflicts and encourages individual/team development

COMPETENCIES

• Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project

• MathCAD, Mathematica

• Data Management, Interpretation, Analysis

• FEA, CFD, Thermal Studies,

• Visual BASIC, PLC/Ladder Logic, LabVIEW

• SolidWorks, PDM, SketchUp, AutoCAD, others

• Manual/CNC Machining Processes

• Rapid Prototyping, Additive Manufacturing, 3D Printing

• Lean, Six Sigma, Kaizen/JIT concepts

• Project Management

• Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP)

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Animax Designs 2022-Present

Animax is the creative robotic entertainment powerhouse behind some of the largest themed experiences and global intellectual properties around the world., serving major movie studios including The Walt Disney Company, NBC Universal, Warner Bros and companies including Feld Entertainment.

Principal Engineer, Mechanical Design and Engineering Manager

Served as mechanical engineering architect bringing complex animatronic/robotic designs from concept through fabrication and deployment, conducting validation testing on accelerated schedules, providing technical expertise and oversight, managing multiple projects and cross-functional teams, and developing continuous improvement efforts impacting companywide workflows.

Relevant Accomplishments

•Managed up to 30 simultaneous client projects from concept through completion, overseeing project budgets up to $5M, departmental timelines, and outside partner agencies

Utilized cross functional approaches, aligning engineering specifications with company departments (Creative, Mechanical, Industrial Design, Controls, Show Programming, Molds and Composites, Machining/Manufacturing, Assembly, etc.)

Applied knowledge of various types of motors, encoders, sensors, power transmission, and drive-train-related components such as gears, splines, lead screws, linear guides, harmonic drive actuators, etc.

Oversaw cross-functional design reviews

•Executed Engineering Studies

Completed failure analyses on variety of deployed legacy figures

Developed braking analysis for a retrofit need

Oversaw and constrained FEA studies for large-scale figures

•Corrected Lack of Processes

Improved design and production quality by authoring and enforcing departmental standards

Repaired and advanced an underutilized PDM system

Revised bidding processes to improve SOW detail and costing accuracy.

Volunteer State Community College 2021-2022

Physics Instructor

Taught a variety of physics courses at the conceptual, algebra, and calculus levels.

Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, KY 2015-2020

Engineering Instructor II

Taught Statics, Dynamics, Deformable Solids, Thermodynamics, Senior Design courses in a project-based curriculum. Further, I revised the Program Safety Training and SOPs, and mentored students with Industry Partner Projects

Southcentral KY Comm. & Tech. College (SKYCTC) – Bowling Green, KY 2008-2015

Assistant Professor of Physics

Taught Physics, Mathematics, Astronomy and Digital Logic courses. Further, I developed a Statistical Process Control course for industry partners

Dynastrosi Laboratories – Bowling Green, KY 2006-2008

Operational in 2007, the company focused on additive fabrication-based composite sandwich structures in the development of product prototypes for wind energy, high-performance automotive, aerospace and defense clients.

Senior Scientist/Lead Engineer/Vice President of Product Design and Engineering

Developed the company’s proprietary technology to commercial viability as well as oversee prototype development for a growing client base.

Relevant Accomplishments

• Developed understanding of carbon-fiber composite fabricating processes and structural concepts

•Managed simultaneous projects from concept through completion, overseeing budgets up to $750k, timelines, capital equipment purchases, and outside partner agencies

EDUCATION

•Ph.D., Physics - University of Mississippi, 2000

•MA, Physics – University of Mississippi, 1998

•BSME, Minor in Systems Engineering – Western Kentucky University, 2014

•Bachelor of Science Degree in Physics – Georgia State University, 1994

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