Carlos Prieto
United States
Summary
Highly accomplished Mechanical Engineer with over 15 years of experience in product development, guiding projects from initial design to final manufacturing. Demonstrated success in utilizing statistical methods and data-driven analysis to optimize designs, effectively quantifying costs related to failures and minimizing associated risks. Core competencies include fatigue analysis, creep behavior, stress relaxation, finite element analysis (FEA), and heat transfer. Recognized for forming and leading high-performing teams to tackle complex engineering challenges and achieve critical customer objectives.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Staff Mechanical Design Engineer
Mainspring Energy
Menlo Park
12.2021 - Current
- Lead a team of two engineers designing and implementing critical components for high-temperature (700°C+) linear generators under extreme stress (high acceleration and pressures).
- Developed and implemented a Python statistically driven design methodology integrated with FEA, generating 3D probability of failure maps for fatigue, creep, and stress relaxation. This approach enabled the successful introduction of new piston designs, achieving failure-free releases
- Beyond my core team, I proactively formed and led several cross-functional teams (five or more members each) to resolve critical engineering and operational challenges. Addressed self-loosening bolt failures on dynamic joints, and preventing multi-million dollar failures. Root-caused and corrected a $1M liability piston failure, developing a stress relaxation model to demonstrate unintended operating conditions in an adjacent subsystem
Senior Design Engineer
Mainspring Energy
Menlo Park
01.2018 - 12.2021
- Designed rings and pistons for linear generators, focusing on the critical and reliability-challenged subsystem
- Thrived in a fast-paced environment, rapidly iterating through multiple designs per week, leveraging low part and failure costs to accelerate testing cycles, and establish key design paths.
- Developed tools and methodologies to streamline component design, translating experimental results into clear design requirements
- Created efficient models for rapid analysis that reduce the design cycles by 80%.
- Designed and supported the full release of the first piston subsystem used in field-deployed linear generators
Engineering Manager
Baker Hughes
01.2017 - 12.2018
- Led the mechanical detailed design and the requisition activities of all auxiliary systems.
- Supervised a team of four direct reports in charge of developing new products that enable energy in unconventional resources, while handling and efficiently allocating an approximate budget of $1 million every year.
- Maintained a balance between design flexibility needs and strict product standardization adoption, leading to the accomplishment of supply chain goals, the implementation of cost-out strategies, and site installation/service support.
- Supported customers in deep technical review meetings, demonstrating expertise and full ownership of the mechanical discipline.
- Collaborated to create and update internal tools to leverage standardization, and robust design.
- Assured quality through lessons learned implementation, technical note issuing, and resolutions of top issues
- Coordinated and supported outsourced engineering resources also monitored their quality, timing, and productivity
- Conceptualized and implemented weekly productivity improvement experiments for the team with key insights from various resources to assist them in becoming innovators without compromising the product's quality
Research & Development Design Engineer
Baker Hughes
08.2014 - 01.2017
- Led the design and launch of an innovative annular seal, generating over $1M in annual revenue.
- Successfully managed a major project from concept to production, collaborating with cross-functional teams and clients to deliver on time and within budget.
- Developed a systems-level understanding of complex systems, and led data collection efforts to validate product reliability.
- Won company-wide innovation competition, securing a $1M budget to develop top-performing induction motor for ESPs.
Mechanical Design Engineer
Baker Hughes
01.2009 - 08.2015
- Spearheaded the development of nano-enhanced fluids for induction motors, with a projected 13% energy reduction.
- Improved vendor manufacturing processes via innovative tooling design that addressed a 15% failure rate.
- Implemented a stage-gate product release process based on statistical Weibull models to manage risk and ensure reliability.
- Expertise includes GeoFORM sand control tools, HP/HT fixtures, high-temperature seals, ESPs, induction motors, and magnetostrictive sensors.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Universidad Simon Bolivar
Caracas01.2008
Skills
- Mechanical Engineering
- Fatigue, creep, and stress relaxation
- Innovation Management
- Strategic Thinking
- Design for Reliability
- Problem solving
- Python (programming language)
- Technical analysis
- Leadership
- Engineering Design Process
- Machine learning
- Brainstorming
- ANSYS
- Finite Element Methods
- Heat Transfer
- SolidWorks (CAD)
- Knowledge of patents
- Creativity
Publications
- Development of Advanced Seal Material and Downhole Packer for High Temperature Applications, Offshore Technology Conference, 05/01/17
- Ultra-high Temperature Rated Elastic Carbon Composite Packer for Reliable Downhole Zone Isolation, SPE ATCE, 09/26/16
Patents
- US 10174581 Method and apparatus to utilize a deformable filler ring.
- US 9121233 Mitigation of downhole component vibration using electromagnetic vibration reduction.
- US 8946970 Systems and methods for wire containment within an electric motor.
- US 8851864 Attenuating vibration in a submersible pump.
- US 8342821 Tuned Bearing.
- US9835173B2 Thermoelectric Cooling Devices on Electrical Submersible Pump.
- US9777548B2 Conformable Devices Using Shape Memory Alloys for Downhole Applications.
- WO2014134006 Mitigation of downhole component vibration using electromagnetic vibration reduction.
- US9422806B2 Downhole Monitoring Using Magnetostrictive Probe.
- US9753171 Formation Collapse Sensor.
- US 8382375 Motor Shaft Vibration Isolator for Electric Submersible Pumps.
- US11873906B2 Springs for piston ring biasing.
- US10442510 Stabilizing system for floating wind turbines.
- US9948150B2 Systems and Methods for Constructing Laminations for Electric Motors.
- US 20160138360 System and Method for Enabling the Detection of Fluid Production and Stimulation of a Portion of a Wellbore
Languages
English
Full Professional
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
Timeline
Staff Mechanical Design Engineer
Mainspring Energy
12.2021 - Current
Senior Design Engineer
Mainspring Energy
01.2018 - 12.2021
Engineering Manager
Baker Hughes
01.2017 - 12.2018
Research & Development Design Engineer
Baker Hughes
08.2014 - 01.2017
Mechanical Design Engineer
Baker Hughes
01.2009 - 08.2015
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Universidad Simon Bolivar
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