Joel J. Watson
Colbert,GA
Summary
Sr. Mechanical Engineer with a background in aerospace interior and structural design, using CATIA V5 and 3D CAD to develop accurate parts, assemblies, and installations. Led small design teams and coordinated with customers, stress, suppliers, and operations to support on-time delivery and FAA-compliant solutions.
Overview
25
25
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Belcan
Colbert, GA
11.2023 - 01.2026
- Led team of two design engineers to successfully complete projects on time and within scope
- Coordinated with customer, stress, suppliers, and operations to facilitate project execution and integration
- Designed 3D detail parts, assemblies, and installations for presidential aircraft, ensuring alignment with specifications
Mechanical Design Engineer
Southern Aviation Parts & Services
Pooler, GA
06.2023 - 10.2023
Mechanical Design Engineer (Tech Spec III)
Gulfstream Aerospace
Savannah, GA
02.2017 - 09.2022
- Responded rapidly to customer inquiries, enhancing satisfaction for custom cabin interiors.
- Produced 3D models to accurately represent client specifications and preferences, renderings, presentations, and proposals for customers.
- Facilitated face-to-face interactions with customers to understand and address their custom requests.
- Ensure all FAA regulatory requirements are met by developing a custom Aircraft Interior
- Ensure all FAA regulatory requirements are met while developing a custom Aircraft Interior
- Responded quickly to customer inquiries about custom cabin interiors to provide timely assistance.
Systems Engineer
Boeing Defense
Oklahoma City, OK
10.2015 - 11.2016
- Developed systems requirements for defense aircraft programs at Boeing Defense.
- Evaluated system architectures using model-based systems engineering tools to enhance design integrity.
- Coordinated interface definitions to ensure alignment across engineering teams and supplier partners.
- Analyzed modifications and presented actionable findings to program change board.
Customer Service Engineer Payloads
Boeing Customer Service
Seal Beach, CA
10.2014 - 10.2015
- Responded rapidly to customer inquiries regarding maintenance, repair, and replacement of components on in-service airplanes, ensuring timely service delivery. Identified root causes and implemented corrective actions for in-service issues, enhancing customer satisfaction through effective issue resolution. Applied technical knowledge of product and repair practices to ensure compliance with accepted maintainability standards.
- Addressed Boeing customer service inquiries using technical manuals and service bulletins for accurate information delivery.
- Supported customers in identifying parts, tracking order status, and addressing aircraft support requests to enhance service experience.
- Reviewed maintenance documents for Boeing aircraft systems and service guidance.
Tree Technician (Self Employed)
Rincon
, GA
02.2014 - 09.2014
Cabin Design Engineer
Gulfstream Aerospace (Contract)
Savannah, GA
06.2011 - 02.2014
- Developed 3D detail parts, assemblies, and installations for waste tank, water tank, plumbing, LRUs, secondary structure, closets, bulkheads, monuments, galley, latches, lights, and electrical wire routing, enhancing design integration.
- Designed sheet metal components, machined components, composite components, and plastic components.
- Worked closely with Manufacturing, Stress, M&P, Weights, and Suppliers to ensure the product met all regulatory and customer requirements.
Mission Systems Design Engineer
Sikorsky Aircraft (Contract)
Stratford, CT
07.2009 - 05.2011
- Developed source control drawings and specifications to guide mission systems development.
- Produced 2D/3D details, assemblies, and installations for medical litters, gun mounts, seating, armored flooring, and rescue hoists, ensuring design accuracy and compliance.
- Delivered engineering support for manufacturing, collaborating with suppliers to enhance production processes.
Mechanical Design Engineer
Recaro Aircraft Seating
Fort Worth, TX
07.2007 - 04.2009
- Developed technical specifications for new premium business class furniture, ensuring alignment with design standards and enhancing product quality.
- Designed vacuum formed and composite backrests, backrest assemblies, sheet metal parts, machined parts, and premium business class furniture to enhance passenger comfort and aesthetics.
- Created cabin and seating layout and passenger accommodation drawings to optimize space utilization and improve overall passenger experience.
Design Engineer (12/2006-06/2007)
Vought Aircraft
Dallas, TX
12.2002 - 06.2007
- Designed Waste and Water secondary structure using aluminum, titanium, and composite materials for B787, ensuring structural integrity and compliance with design specifications.
- Designed aircraft components using CAD tools for Vought Aircraft programs.
- Developed detailed 3D models for parts and assemblies based on design specifications.
- Developed engineering drawings and specifications for Vought Aircraft assemblies.
- Reviewed design changes for compliance with Vought Aircraft requirements.
Lead Design Engineer (11/2005-12/2006)
Vought Aircraft
11.2005 - 12.2006
- Led team of five design engineers in converting C-5 galaxy flight control surfaces from 2D legacy drawings to 3D models, including forgings, machined parts, sheet metal parts, and composite panels.
- Led aircraft structural design reviews for Vought Aircraft programs.
- Collaborated with manufacturing engineers to ensure all parts included correct determinant assembly holes, minimizing tooling needed for final assembly.
- Developed CAD drawings and model updates for airframe components.
- Coordinated engineering changes with manufacturing and quality teams.
Tool Designer (12/2002-11/2005)
Vought Aircraft
12.2002 - 11.2005
- Designed aircraft tools, jigs, and fixtures, supporting Vought Aircraft production processes
- Designed drill jigs, sub-assembly fixtures, and bond tools, collaborating with design and manufacturing engineers to enhance functionality, efficiency, and ergonomics of tooling
- Developed tool layouts using CAD software and shop standards
- Interpreted blueprints and engineering drawings to establish precise tooling requirements
Apprentice Pipe Fitter
Snell Electric Co.
North Platte, NE
07.2002 - 11.2002
- Interpreted blueprints to install storm sewage, underground sewage, and potable water systems for new high school, ensuring compliance with safety standards.
- Fitted and assembled pipe systems for Snell Electric Co. electrical projects, contributing to timely project completion.
- Measure, cut, and thread piping using hand and power tools
- Reviewed blueprints and work instructions to optimize pipe layout and installation processes.
Electrical Integration Design Engineer
Cessna Aircraft
Wichita, KS
01.2001 - 06.2002
- Developed 3D routing for wire harnesses, designed and installed secondary structures for LRUs, and integrated junction boxes and switch panels.
- Designed aircraft components for Cessna Aircraft using CAD models and drawings.
- Reviewed engineering changes for Cessna Aircraft production and certification support.
- Prepared design packages for FAA compliance and internal approval at Cessna Aircraft.
Education
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Colorado State University Fort Collins
Fort Collins, ColoradoSkills
- Design Software: CATIA V5 (20,000 HRS), ENOVIA LCA (1000 HRS), SmarTeam (1500 HRS), FT&A, GD&T Office
- 3D cad modeling
- Aircraft interior design
- FAA certification
- Certification planning
- Software: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Schedule
Personal Information
Title: Mechanical Design Engineer
Timeline
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Belcan
11.2023 - 01.2026
Mechanical Design Engineer
Southern Aviation Parts & Services
06.2023 - 10.2023
Mechanical Design Engineer (Tech Spec III)
Gulfstream Aerospace
02.2017 - 09.2022
Systems Engineer
Boeing Defense
10.2015 - 11.2016
Customer Service Engineer Payloads
Boeing Customer Service
10.2014 - 10.2015
Tree Technician (Self Employed)
Rincon
02.2014 - 09.2014
Cabin Design Engineer
Gulfstream Aerospace (Contract)
06.2011 - 02.2014
Mission Systems Design Engineer
Sikorsky Aircraft (Contract)
07.2009 - 05.2011
Mechanical Design Engineer
Recaro Aircraft Seating
07.2007 - 04.2009
Lead Design Engineer (11/2005-12/2006)
Vought Aircraft
11.2005 - 12.2006
Design Engineer (12/2006-06/2007)
Vought Aircraft
12.2002 - 06.2007
Tool Designer (12/2002-11/2005)
Vought Aircraft
12.2002 - 11.2005
Apprentice Pipe Fitter
Snell Electric Co.
07.2002 - 11.2002
Electrical Integration Design Engineer
Cessna Aircraft
01.2001 - 06.2002
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Colorado State University Fort Collins