Jonathan L.

Experience

• Advanced / Additive Manufacturing Technology / Engineering Technology and Design Professor Drake State Community & Technical College · Full-time Mar 2022 – Present 4 yrs 6 mos Huntsville, AL 35811, USA As an Engineering Design Instructor within Drake State Community & Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Technology division, I teach and develop curriculum for engineering design and advanced manufacturing applications, with emphasis on CAD, 3D modeling, engineering drawings, GD&T, precision measurement, metrology, quality control, reverse engineering, materials, manufacturing processes, and additive manufacturing.
  
  I develop and deliver hands-on, industry-focused instruction that prepares students for engineering design, manufacturing, aerospace, defense, and related technical careers. Responsibilities include developing courses and laboratory activities, managing technical projects, evaluating student performance, maintaining industry-relevant standards and certifications, and integrating current manufacturing technologies and practices into the curriculum.
  
  My instructional work incorporates SolidWorks CAD/CAM, additive manufacturing, precision measurement, engineering documentation, design innovation, manufacturing problem solving, and quality concepts. I also support laboratory operations, equipment and material planning, industry engagement, curriculum development, and the continuous improvement of the Advanced Manufacturing Technology program.
  
  The position combines teaching, curriculum development, technical training, laboratory oversight, and industry alignment, with a focus on translating current engineering and manufacturing practices into practical, hands-on learning experiences.
  
  As an Engineering Professor within an Advanced Manufacturing Technology program focused on mechanical and aerospace-oriented engineering design and manufacturing. I develop and teach industry-focused coursework involving SolidWorks CAD/3D modeling, engineering drawings, GD&T, blueprint interpretation, precision measurement, metrology, reverse engineering, quality control, materials, manufacturing processes, and additive manufacturing.
  
  My role combines engineering design instruction with hands-on laboratory and advanced manufacturing experience. I develop real-world design projects, evaluate existing components and designs for improvement, and teach students to address manufacturability, cost, ergonomics, quality, material selection, design changes, and production considerations.
  
  I also contribute to curriculum development, laboratory operations, equipment and material planning, technical project development, industry engagement, and the integration of current manufacturing technologies into instruction.
• Principal Investigator (Lead Engineering Designer / Advanced Manufacturing Technologist) NASA / Drake State (MMPACT / MUREP Frontiers Research Program) · Contract May 2021 – Mar 2024 2 yrs 10 mos Huntsville, AL, USA Served as Principal Investigator and Lead Engineering Designer/Advanced Manufacturing Technologist for NASA-supported research and development activities through Drake State Community & Technical College's MMPACT and MUREP Frontiers Research programs. Led the engineering design, development, prototyping, and advanced manufacturing of experimental hardware supporting NASA-related research objectives, with emphasis on additive manufacturing, large-scale robotic fabrication, advanced materials, and engineering design for extreme-environment applications.
  
  Directed the translation of research concepts and engineering requirements into manufacturable components, prototypes, test articles, and experimental systems. Applied mechanical engineering design principles, CAD/3D modeling, design for additive manufacturing, material selection, manufacturing process development, reverse engineering, precision measurement, and technical documentation throughout the development cycle.
  
  Led multidisciplinary technical activities involving engineering design, additive manufacturing, materials, automation, fabrication, testing, and project development. Evaluated design alternatives and manufacturing approaches with consideration for structural performance, manufacturability, material behavior, process limitations, cost, scalability, and research objectives.
  
  Developed and refined additive manufacturing approaches involving polymers, composites, metals, concrete, and other advanced materials, including the application of robotic additive manufacturing to large-scale construction and aerospace/planetary-relevant research. Supported the integration, setup, operation, and development of advanced manufacturing equipment and associated tooling, infrastructure, and workflows.
  
  Managed technical project activities from concept development through design, fabrication, evaluation, and iteration. Coordinated research objectives, technical deliverables, project schedules, documentation, equipment utilization, and student participation while maintaining alignment with NASA and institutional requirements.
  
  Served as a technical mentor and project lead for students participating in NASA-related research, providing hands-on experience in engineering design, additive manufacturing, CAD, materials, experimentation, documentation, and multidisciplinary problem solving.
  
  This role combines Principal Investigator responsibilities with hands-on engineering design and advanced manufacturing leadership, providing direct experience translating aerospace research objectives into practical engineering solutions and educational research experiences.
• MP&P Engineer Northrop Grumman · Full-time Jan 2019 – Feb 2024 5 yrs 1 mos Huntsville, AL, USA Supported aerospace and defense programs as a Materials, Processes & Manufacturing (MP&P) Engineer, providing engineering and manufacturing support for missile defense and military legacy platforms. Worked at the intersection of engineering design, manufacturing, materials, quality, and production to ensure components and manufacturing processes met technical, performance, quality, and compliance requirements.
  
  Collaborated with mechanical/design engineers, manufacturing engineering, production, quality, supply chain, and suppliers to evaluate and resolve manufacturing and material-related issues throughout the product lifecycle. Supported the selection, qualification, validation, and implementation of metallic and non-metallic materials and processes, including adhesives, coatings, sealants, composites, and other engineered materials.
  
  Developed and maintained material and process specifications, engineering documentation, and technical requirements. Performed engineering studies, material/process evaluations, troubleshooting, and root-cause investigations to address production issues and improve manufacturing processes.
  
  Provided manufacturing-design support by evaluating designs and processes for material compatibility, manufacturability, quality, reliability, and production requirements. Participated in design and production reviews, supported engineering changes and legacy-platform modifications, and helped transition engineering requirements into practical manufacturing solutions.
  
  Led and supported quality inspection, material/process qualification, validation, and acceptance activities, working to ensure manufactured components complied with engineering specifications and applicable aerospace and defense requirements.
  
  This role provided extensive experience working within highly controlled aerospace and defense manufacturing environments, supporting both established legacy platforms and ongoing engineering and manufacturing improvements.
• Rotating Equipment / Electro-Mechanical Engineering Technician Morin Process Equipment · Full-time Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 2 yrs Decatur, AL, USA Provided hands-on engineering, maintenance, fabrication, repair, and technical support for large-scale rotating and electro-mechanical equipment used in industrial and chemical-processing environments. Worked extensively with complex mechanical assemblies and power-transmission systems, including industrial turbines, centrifugal and process pumps, vacuum pumps, blowers, large gearboxes, drive systems, heat exchangers, and associated chemical-processing equipment.
  
  Performed disassembly, inspection, repair, assembly, troubleshooting, alignment, machining, fabrication, and modification of rotating equipment and mechanical systems. Supported equipment installation, preventative and corrective maintenance, plant outages, field service activities, emergency repairs, and reliability-focused work for industrial customers.
  
  Applied mechanical and manufacturing principles to diagnose equipment problems and determine appropriate repair or modification strategies. Worked with precision measurement, machining, fabrication, mechanical fits, clearances, bearings, shafts, couplings, gears, seals, and other critical components associated with large rotating machinery.
  
  Collaborated with engineering, maintenance, production, and customer personnel to identify equipment problems, develop practical solutions, coordinate repairs, and return machinery to service. Supported projects involving complete equipment lifecycle activities from inspection and troubleshooting through repair, reassembly, testing, and field installation.
  
  Managed the company's tool crib and associated tooling, equipment, and supplies, including inventory control, organization, issue/return processes, tooling availability, and support for technicians and field personnel. Helped ensure appropriate tools, measurement equipment, materials, and resources were available for machining, fabrication, repair, and maintenance activities.
  
  This position provided extensive hands-on experience with large mechanical systems, rotating equipment, industrial manufacturing, precision machining, fabrication, engineering troubleshooting, maintenance, quality, and field service, providing a strong foundation in practical mechanical engineering and manufacturing applications.
• Production Engineering Technician & Complex Fabrication Department Technologist T-H Marine (T-H Maritime Engineering Co.) · Full-time Jan 2016 – Mar 2017 1 yrs 2 mos Huntsville, AL, USA Provided production engineering and technical support for manufacturing operations, with an emphasis on complex fabrication, process development, production problem solving, and the transition of engineering concepts into practical manufacturing solutions.
  
  Supported the evaluation, development, modification, and improvement of manufacturing processes and fabricated components. Worked closely with engineering and production personnel to identify manufacturing challenges, improve production methods, and ensure components could be produced efficiently, consistently, and to established specifications.
  
  Applied hands-on knowledge of mechanical systems, fabrication, machining, tooling, materials, dimensional requirements, and production processes to troubleshoot manufacturing issues and develop practical solutions. Assisted with the interpretation of engineering drawings and technical requirements and supported modifications to tooling, fixtures, components, and manufacturing methods.
  
  Contributed to complex fabrication activities involving the development, assembly, modification, and refinement of components and production hardware. Evaluated manufacturability, fit, function, and production requirements while supporting prototype, production, and process-improvement activities.
  
  Worked at the interface between engineering and manufacturing, helping translate design intent into executable production processes. Supported process optimization, technical troubleshooting, quality requirements, and continuous improvement while maintaining attention to dimensional accuracy, repeatability, safety, and production efficiency.
  
  This role provided hands-on experience bridging engineering design, complex fabrication, manufacturing processes, tooling, production support, and technical problem solving, establishing a strong foundation for later work in aerospace/defense manufacturing, engineering design, and advanced manufacturing.