Max Tomlin

Mechanical Design Engineer

Hi! Working on new products and designs is my passion, and I love what I do. Creativity and teamwork are where I thrive. I would love to share some of the great projects I've gotten to lead and be a part of with you!

© Max Tomlin. All rights reserved.

Portfolio

Through my career I have been a part of some amazing teams, working on incredible projects. Here are some of the highlights.

GE Aerospace
LEAP - 2024

The LEAP engine is a high-bypass turbofan engine aimed at improving fuel efficiency while reducing emissions and noise levels. It is used on narrow-body aircraft such as the Boeing 737 MAX, Airbus A320neo, and the COMAC C919. I worked with incredible teams to develop advanced technologies inside the combustor to help build upon and improve an outstanding engine platform.

Davis Furniture
Vida Shelving - 2024
Best of NeoCon - Silver Winner

Vida Shelving was an extension of the previously created Vida Table line. The soft curves and simplicity set this family of products apart. Specially designed rolled sheet metal, CNC machined, precision welded, and extruded metal parts give a seamless look to the shelves. The organic shapes in the product highlight both the incredible design and engineering that went into developing this award winning product.

Davis Furniture
Ottanna - 2024
Best of NeoCon - Silver Winner

The soft shapes and fresh look were the design focal points for Ottanna. Using molded foam, cast aluminum, rigid polyurethane, and injection molded pieces, the Ottanna family was engineered to be both functional and fashionable.

Davis Furniture
Nora Shelf - 2023

Configurability and customer design freedom were the focus for Nora Shelf. Engineering the Nora Shelf required lots of creative problem solving to create a design that was configurable with a wide array of materials and final assembly layouts. With an extruded aluminum frame, and cast zinc joints, Nora Shelf is configurable, light, and strong.

Davis Furniture
Vida - 2023
Best of NeoCon - Gold Winner

With a focus on soft curves, Vida was an exercise in rolled sheet metal, CNC machining, and precision welding and grinding to give a seamless look. The organic shapes in the product highlight both the incredible design and engineering that went into developing this award winning product.

Davis Furniture
Casen - 2023

Casen was a great opportunity to learn all about upholstery and foam design. The leg was designed and manufactured using a die cast aluminum process. The product stands out due to its floating arm and relaxed Norwegian style.

Davis Furniture
Helio - 2022

Helio was my first project at Davis Furniture Industries and introduced me to the company's processes and extreme focus on small details. This table line showcases the company's powdercoat options with a solid steel top and legs. The little details and finishes on this table taught me how to use engineering methods to produce a highly polished product.

Gilbarco Veeder-Root
Latitude Premium Features - 2020-2022

The Latitude dispenser line was created for the Southeastern Asia market. Premium features on the units aimed to develop desirable upgrades with a retractable hose and dispenser canopy designed to help control gas station traffic via red/green indicator lights representing nozzle availability. This project allowed me to learn a lot about design ownership, and what it takes to lead the development of product features as well as travel to India to transition the product designs from CAD to reality.

Gilbarco Veeder-Root
Encore 900 - 2018-2020

Gilbarco was my first full-time job after college, and where I learned about how engineering helps power companies. The E900 project was a completely redesigned dispenser line that offered new fuel combinations, improved touch screen capabilities, and refreshed the look of the flagship dispenser line for the company. This project helped me to establish my knowledge in the fundamentals of engineering design, new product development, and rapid prototyping.

Volvo Trucks
VNR & VNL - 2017-2018

I worked for Volvo Trucks at their manufacturing facility in Dublin Virginia during my undergraduate career at Virginia Tech. I was a member of the maintenance engineering group responsible for reducing assembly downtime due to failures in the paint robots, welding robots in BIW, and paint oven systems throughout the facility. Volvo taught me a lot about efficient and effective manufacturing, and I loved being a part of the team working on the incredible launch of the VNR and VNL truck lines!

Virginia Tech
Formula SAE - 2014-2018

I was a member of the VT FSAE team during all 4 years of my undergrad career. We designed, built, tested and then raced our car in a Formula 1 style environment. As a member of the engine team, and later the lead, I learned a lot about the fundamentals behind internal combustion engines, manufacturing, team leadership and the design process.

About Me

Beyond the thrill of engineering, I find joy in spending quality time with family, exploring new horizons through travel, and pushing my limits with a good run. My passion for learning and reading fuels my creativity and shapes my approach to problem-solving. It's this passion for discovery that I hope to bring to every team I work on.With my career I aim to continue learning and improving my technical knowledge in ways that I can use to benefit teams working on incredible products. Developing myself as a leader is something I am dedicated to, and I hope to continue growing my career towards leading impactful teams.

•GD&T - 2018-Present
     -Fundamentals Training - Spring '23
•Rapid Prototyping - 2014-Present
     -3D Printing - FDM, SLA, SLS
     -Sketching
     -Machining & Turning
     -Welding
     -Sheet-metal panel bending
     -Cardboard & paper models
•Agile Product Development - 2019-Present
     -Grad School - Fundamentals of Product Dev, Fall '23
•Project Management - 2018-Present
     -Critical Path Method
     -Project Eval and Review Technique (PERT)
     -Atlassian's Jira
•Coding - 2014-Present
     -C++ (fundamental proficiency)
     -MATLAB (intermediate proficiency)
•Microcontrollers - 2011-Present
     -Arduino Uno
     -TI MSP 430 Launchpad
     -MoTeC M400
•Languages - 2011-Present
     -English (native)
     -Spanish (professional working proficiency)

Skills & Training

I am always looking for new ways to up my game. Here is a look at some of the abilities I have, software I am familiar with, and trainings that I have taken to improve the work I can deliver as an engineer and designer.

•SolidWorks - 2022-Present
     -Advanced Surface Modeling - Spring '23
     -Fundamentals - Spring '22
     -CSWP Mechanical Design - Spring '23
     -CSWAP Sheet Metal - Spring '23
     -CSWAP Drawing Tools - Spring '23
•PTC Creo - 2017-2022
     -Advanced - Spring '19
     -Fundatmentals - Fall '18
•FEA - 2017-Present
     -Grad School - FEA I, Fall '23
     -Ansys Workbench
     -SolidWorks
     -PTC Creo
•Atlassian's Jira - 2019-Present
•MATLAB - 2014-Present
•Microsoft Office Suite - 2011-Present
•Google Workspace - 2011-Present

Methods

My experience as an engineer has equipped me with a comprehensive understanding of various manufacturing methods. From shaping molten metals to building layer-by-layer with 3D printing, this knowledge allows me to select the most efficient and cost-effective process to bring product visions to life. This portfolio showcases my expertise in these diverse techniques, giving a glimpse into how I've transformed innovative product designs from concept to reality.

3D Printing

FDM, SLA, and SLS methods of 3D printing have been a huge part of my career. Whether through rapid prototyping, providing support to manufacturing, or creating marketing samples, 3D printing has been a passion of mine and a major part of my design process. I have built, managed and maintained multiple 3D printing labs during my engineering career, and I am constantly fascinated by the value it brings to the development process.

Formlabs - Form 3L

SLA printing has proven to be irreplacable for components that need high levels of detail, and offers a wide array of different materials to use. I have a particularly high level of familiarity with the suite of Formlabs SLA products, producing pieces with stunning details and impressive physical characteristics.

Stratasys - 450mc

FDM printing has helped me create countless prototypes, marketing samples, jigs, fixtures, and production parts both quickly and cost effectively. I ran a printing lab for multiple years using the Stratasys Fortus series of printers with lots of successful results.

I love using mechanisms in my designs and prototypes as a way to create robust solutions from complex problems! Springs, gears, pistons, and bearings are just a few examples from my extensive toolkit, and I'm constantly seeking opportunities to expand this knowledge. I'm a huge lover of YouTube engineering stars like Mark Rober, Shane Wighton from Stuff Made Here, and Destin Sandlin from Smarter Every Day, and I've even taken one of Mark Rober's engineering classes focused on developing an electro-mechanical system to automatically feed my dogs!

Mechanisms

Microcontrollers

The rise of microcontrollers has revolutionized mechanical engineering design by enabling intelligent control and automation. These tiny computers bridge the gap between the physical world and software, allowing for real-time data acquisition, dynamic actuation, and user interaction in my designs. My experience working with popular microcontroller boards like the Arduino Uno, the Texas Instruments MSP430, and the MoTeC M400 has equipped me with the skills to program these devices and integrate them seamlessly into my projects, creating smarter and more responsive mechanical systems.

Metalworking

I've spent a lot of time working with metal in my engineering career. From Aluminum, Steel, Titanium, Zinc and even Magnesium I've explored many methods with which to manipulate metal. Some of the areas I have spent the most time include casting, welding, sheet-metal fabrication, machining, turning, powder-metallurgy, stamping, wire EDM, spinning, pipe & tube bending, and forging.

Plastics

Plastics have been the foundation of many products I have designed. Injection molding, which transforms molten plastic into precise, high-volume parts, has proved irreplaceable for its combination of material variety, strength, and cost-effectiveness. Thermoforming has allowed me to shape plastic sheets into unique, functional components with exceptional optical properties. For intricate details and features, I have relied on 3D printing and machining, which has offered the benefits of speed and adaptability, making them ideal for low-volume production and prototyping.

Woodworking

For a mechanical engineer, a strong foundation in woodworking practices like CNC routing, lathework, and joinery techniques proves invaluable. This practical knowledge allows me to not only prototype and iterate on designs efficiently using solid wood, plywood, and MDF, but also to create functional and aesthetically pleasing mockups. Understanding veneer and lamination techniques further expands my capabilities, enabling me to explore a wider range of materials and finishes in my projects. This blend of engineering principles with hands-on woodworking skills allows me to bridge the gap between concept and creation, fostering a well-rounded approach to product development.

Upholstery & Foam

Extending my knowledge beyond traditional mechanical engineering principles, understanding upholstery and foam selection plays a crucial role in creating user-centric and ergonomic designs. My knowledge encompasses various upholstery materials and techniques, including molded and cut foam for customized support and comfort. Furthermore, I am proficient in working with leather, vinyl, and fabric patterns, ensuring a perfect aesthetic integration alongside the functionality of the design. This ability to incorporate both technical considerations and user experience through upholstery and foam selection elevates the final product to be not only functional but also comfortable and visually appealing.