IntelliDx is a medical device start-up company that is developing an automated bedside blood analyzer. I joined IntelliDx as employee number 10. I am the lead mechanical engineer for the instrument design. My activities range from participating in the design of the system architecture to detailed part design. The system consists of several stepper motor and a linear actuator driven mechanisms. Other responsibilities include managing in-house mechanical designers and outside industrial design resources. Parts are designed for plastic injection molding, sheetmetal and traditional machining processes. Several prototypes have been built and testing is currently ongoing.

Caliper LifeSciences uses its advanced liquid handling and LabChip technologies to create leading edge tools that accelerate drug discovery and enable diagnosis of disease. I was responsible for design of Caliper Life Sciences’ newest liquid handling robot, reducing the cost and footprint of the previous generation product. The project was completed from concept to release to manufacturing in less than one year. Also designed was a Microtiter plate handling system for the Caliper LabChip 3000 system. The plate handling system utilizes a cam system due to the limited availability of motor drivers in the electronics. Designed chip interface modules to interface microfluidic devices to high voltage and pressure/vacuum systems.I also acted as the project lead for team of hardware engineers (mechanical, electrical and system) responsible for developing early stage prototypes for a new potential OEM market. I was responsible for working closely with our customer to ensure that prototypes met their requirements and expectations. Other responsibilities included system integration, prototype testing and installation and support at customer site.

Templex was a telecommunication start-up company specializing in the creation of complex Fiber Bragg Grating based devices. Primary responsibility is for design of passive, temperature-compensating packages for FBG based DWDM filters. Tasks include creating mathematical models to understand the performance of various designs, detailed mechanical designs utilizing SolidWorks, and testing/characterization of prototype assemblies. Other responsibilities included the design of tooling and fixtures for in-house use.

I acted as the project lead for the construction of in-house laboratory equipment for the processing of DNA microarrays. The system consisted of motion control, fluid handling and heating sub-systems. I performed detailed engineering development and design for two of the six subsystems. These sub-systems utilized stepper motors and machined components. I also acted as the supervisor for mechanical and electrical engineering subcontractors. Finally I performed system level integration and testing.

Alara is a small medical device company specializing in digital imaging systems based on using storage phosphor imaging plates as a replacement for traditional x-ray film. I was the twelfth employee at Alara. I was responsible for the design of two generations of the DenOptix Digital Imaging system for the dental market. I had engineering responsibility for two of the sub-systems. Designs included mechanical systems utilizing stepper motors, electronic enclosures and EMI shielding. Pro/Engineer was utilized to generate concepts and detailed designs.I was the lead mechanical engineer for the design and development of the MetriScan Bone Density System. Specific design responsibilities included the design of plastic and sheetmetal enclosures, mechanical systems utilizing stepper motors, optical systems components, elastomeric keymats, lightpipes, and EMI shielding. Processes used included injection molding, structural foam molding, cast metal, machined, and sheetmetal components. Tasks included system architecture definition, 3D modeling using Pro/Engineer software, supervision of design engineer, and coordination with industrial design consultants and suppliers. Responsibilities also included vibration/shock product testing and the development of shipping packaging.

I managed a team of engineers and scientists engaged in the design and development of time-of-flight mass spectrometers. Worked with the business team (R&D, marketing, and manufacturing) to establish project goals, objectives and priorities. Managed and supervised the project team following project lifecycle documentation. Design responsibilities included a prototype vacuum system, ion optic elements, and microchannel plate detector assembly. I was the lead engineer on the development of disposable sample carriers for the TOF Mass Spec.

I was solely responsible for the development of a sample preparation device for use with the time-of-flight mass spectrometer product. Processes utilized included sheetmetal, machined, and cast plastic parts. I acted as the lead for the transition of the time-of-flight mass spectrometer into Hewlett-Packard after the product line was acquired from a third party. I supervised the activities of a SEED (summer intern) student working on improvements to proprietary in house process equipment. Co-developed an isolation valve manifold to replace an existing design in order to improve reliability and eliminate supply problems. I was the lead mechanical engineer on the design of a second-generation automated chemical reactor product including fluid delivery systems and temperature control.

I was the liaison between engineering and manufacturing on a new family of low cost frequency counters. I was also responsible for setting up the manufacturing process including the work breakdown and the manufacturing cell layout. Other responsibilities included the manufacturing support of several mature test and measurement products.