Gene Munger
Chicago,IL
Summary
Product Engineer with 9 years of experience bridging design and fabrication to translate conceptual architectural and furniture designs into precise, manufacturable systems. Deep expertise in CNC programming, digital fabrication, and design-for-manufacture/assembly. Skilled in resolving complex assembly, hardware, and tolerance challenges and producing high-clarity technical documentation. Combines a designer’s eye with engineering rigor and excels in cross-functional environments where aesthetics, material logic, and manufacturability must align.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Product Engineer
57st. Design / 57th Street Bookcase
01.2021 - Current
- Bridge design and fabrication, converting conceptual furniture and architectural designs into complete manufacturable assemblies.
- Produce technical drawings, exploded views, installation plans, and material takeoffs for highly custom projects.
- Engineer assemblies that balance visual intent, structural performance, CNC machinability, and real-world constraints.
- Modify and refine designer concepts to ensure manufacturability and assembly efficiency.
- Coordinate with designers, production staff, and fabricators to maintain workflow timing and prevent production errors.
- Built the company’s CNC program from the ground up, defining tooling, workholding, CAM conventions, and file-organization systems.
- Solve novel engineering challenges without prototypes, requiring first-pass accuracy and strong issue anticipation.
- CNC Programmer/Operator, 2019–2021
Instructional Facilities Supervisor — CNC Fabrication Specialist
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
01.2016 - 01.2019
- Programmed and operated two 4’x8’ CNC routers, producing precision components, furniture parts, and prototypes.
- Guided students in translating conceptual work into feasible fabrication workflows.
- Developed woodworking and joinery skills under a master furniture maker.
- Supported diverse student and faculty fabrication projects across fine arts and design disciplines.
Education
BFA - Painting
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
01.2016
Skills
- Engineering & Technical:
- Design & Documentation:
DFMA/DFI CNC programming Tooling strategy Assembly logic Tolerance planning Hardware integration Installation sequencing Material behavior and application
- Software:
Exploded views Detail drawings Fabrication packets Installation plans Material takeoffs Cross-functional collaboration
Rhino 3D Fusion 360 SketchUp SolidWorks MasterCAM Grasshopper (intro) Adobe Illustrator Photoshop InDesign
Timeline
Product Engineer
57st. Design / 57th Street Bookcase
01.2021 - Current
Instructional Facilities Supervisor — CNC Fabrication Specialist
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
01.2016 - 01.2019
BFA - Painting
School of the Art Institute of Chicago
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE
School of the Art Institute of Chicago - Part-Time Lecturer
Chicago, IL · 2019-Present
- Teach CNC workflow, digital fabrication methods, and design-for-manufacture principles to architecture and design students.
- Develop and deliver instruction in Rhino, toolpath strategy, material behavior, and safe machine operation.
- Mentor students through prototyping processes and problem-solving complex fabrication challenges.