Richard Jones, PE
Redding,CA
Summary
Professional with extensive expertise in virtual process automation, enhancing product design and development efficiency for research and business applications. Proven track record in managing complex engineering projects and driving operational improvements. Strong leadership and team-building skills, complemented by advanced problem-solving capabilities and technical research proficiency. Significant contributions to previous organizations through innovative design solutions and successful project execution.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
14
14
Certification
Work History
R&D Principal Engineer
Sandia National Laboratories
Winter Garden, United States
01.2024 - 02.2025
- Reviewed and processed field, lab, and historical data in mechanical environments and integration.
- Analyzed data using statistical methods to quantify probability and confidence levels.
- Collaborated with cross-disciplinary teams to enhance project outcomes.
- Mentored junior engineers and provided guidance on technical challenges.
Managing Member
The Dojo Master
Winter Garden, United States
01.2020 - 01.2025
- Executed virtual notary services for business needs, financing, wills, POA, and court affidavits.
- Managed scheduling and coordination of virtual notary appointments to ensure efficiency.
- Facilitated proof of concept designs for data management and visualization using ReactJS, Python Django, ChartJS, and Postgres.
R&D Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, United States
12.2021 - 12.2023
- Led virtual technology maturation efforts to evaluate modeling capabilities and readiness solutions.
- Assessed potential strategies through comprehensive visualization techniques and methodologies.
- Drove modeling initiatives based on maturation portfolio requirements and product tree relations.
- Informed system-level stakeholders about risks and probabilities of component development success.
- Managed road mapping processes to align technology assessments with strategic objectives.
- Evaluated current states of technologies to guide decision-making and investment opportunities.
- Streamlined communication of findings to enhance understanding of development risks.
- Facilitated collaborative discussions among stakeholders to address component readiness issues.
- Collaborated with interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative engineering solutions.
- Designed advanced mechanical systems for research projects at a national laboratory.
- Conducted thorough analysis of mechanical components for performance optimization.
R&D Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Sandia National Laboratories
Albuquerque, United States
01.2019 - 12.2021
- Collaborated with government stakeholders and principal investigators to test technologies via low-cost multi-stage sounding rocket flights.
- Developed UI/UX applications for processing and interpreting ground and flight data as lead mechanical payload engineer.
- Processed flight data from sounding rockets and environmental ground tests, optimizing payload design through topology analysis.
- Constructed modeling and simulation tools to enhance payload integration efficiency.
- Created post-processing tools for comprehensive flight data analysis and developed Matlab applications for team collaboration.
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Honeywell
Kansas City, United States
01.2015 - 01.2019
- Executed HPC modeling, engineering, design, analysis, and experimentation on non-nuclear weapons components.
- Developed software for data collection, analysis, visualization, and research presentations for executive stakeholders.
- Conducted linear and explicit dynamic simulations across frequency and time domains for diverse flight environments.
- Utilized FEMtools for dynamic topology optimization and model updating methods.
- Created Matlab lumped mass models and state-space models for environmental fixturing research.
- Reviewed MIMO tests to qualify components under relevant conditions.
- Democratized simulation tools via web-based platforms in HPC environments using Reactjs and Python Django.
- Collaborated with Sandia National Lab and Atomic Weapons Establishment on structural dynamics projects.
Sr. Mechanical Engineer
Caterpillar Inc.
Peoria, United States
05.2010 - 12.2013
- Authored technical papers on non-linear machine-ground interface modeling and simulation techniques.
- Developed UI/UX tools for managing and interpreting global soil data.
- Analyzed machine concepts and assessed feasibility studies using HPC architectures.
- Focused modeling and visualization efforts on machine-ground simulations for track shoes, buckets, blades, and tires.
- Integrated design results into UI/UX platforms and incorporated vehicle-ground theory algorithms into finite element subroutines.
- Integrated multi-physics codes, including FEA, ALE, CEL, user material models, and Matlab scripts for tire tread analysis.
- Assessed Technology Readiness Levels (TRL), performed patent searches, and benchmarked disruptive technologies.
- Collaborated with international engineering teams, recruited university students, and conducted engineer interviews.
Research Assistant
University of Louisiana at Lafayette
Lafayette, United States
08.2009 - 07.2010
- Conducted non-linear finite element analysis on thin sheet stainless steel and hydro-forming processes.
- Developed Matlab applications for lab data processing, including image processing for micro grid patterns.
- Utilized scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy to assess plastic strain and surface roughness.
- Authored technical papers on Six Sigma, multi-phase fluid flow, and metal forming procedures.
- Fabricated high-pressure hydraulic bulge device for material property testing.
- Procured hydro-forming equipment and provided scaled tensile test specimens for testing.
- Performed bulge testing on thin stainless steel sheets to evaluate material properties.
- Facilitated weekend engineering lab availability, administered tests, and presented research at conferences.
Engineering Intern
Lafayette Metropolitan Planning Organization
Lafayette, United States
05.2009 - 08.2009
- Conducted feasibility studies on railed mass transit vehicles for university transportation.
- Composed federal grant proposals to secure funding for transportation initiatives.
- Presented project updates and reviews to leadership and government stakeholders regularly.
- Created visual aids to support public engagement activities.
- Collaborated with team members to analyze data and present findings.
Field Service Technician
United Mechanical
Lafayette, United States
01.2004 - 12.2006
- Led construction installation teams for commercial, residential, and industrial accounts.
- Specialized in troubleshooting refrigerated systems with multiple compressor and condenser racks.
- Diagnosed mechanical issues using advanced troubleshooting techniques and tools.
- Maintained accurate service records and documented repairs for customer reference.
- Educated customers on proper system maintenance and energy efficiency practices.
- Conducted routine inspections to identify potential system failures before they occurred.
- Trained junior technicians on best practices and safety protocols in the field.
Molding Technician
Frank's International
Lafayette, United States
01.2001 - 12.2003
- Fabricated polyurethane grippers for oilfield casing tongs, managing diverse processes such as machining, sandblasting, adhesive application via sprayers, pouring, mixing, and baking of urethane products.
- Monitored production processes to ensure adherence to safety standards.
- Conducted routine maintenance on equipment to prevent downtime.
- Inspected finished products for quality assurance before distribution.
- Collaborated with team members to troubleshoot operational issues effectively.
Education
Professional Development - Cyber Security
Professional Development - Mechanical Engineering
Professional Development - Petroleum Engineering
Master of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
Skills
- Simulation & Modeling
- Virtual Process Automation
- Data Visualization
- Data Management
- Data analysis
- Mechanical design
- Simulation modeling
- Software development
- Project management
- Technical writing
- Collaboration skills
- Requirements gathering
- Problem solving
- Critical thinking
- Effective communication
- Agile methodologies
- Risk assessment
- Statistical analysis
- Additive manufacturing
Certification
- AWS Cloud Practitioner
- AWS Developer
- AWS Solutions Architect
- AWS Machine Learning
- AWS Data Analytics
- Azure AI Fundamentals
- Tableau Desktop Specialist
- Scrum CAL-E
- Scrum CAL-T
- Scrum CAL-O
- Scrum Educator
- Scrum ACSM
- Scrum CSP-SM
- Professional Engineer, PE, 0041700
Hobbies and Interests
I am life long and active learner through books/audiobooks on topics such as faith, psychology, communication, leadership, and cyber. I develop AWS applications focusing on data management, ETL processes, and machine learning models. My manufacturing and fabrication experience includes working with CNC routers, CNC lasers, 3D printers, and woodworking machines. I uses these tools/machines to build hydro farms and stand up paulownia paddle boards.
Languages
- English, Native
- Spanish, Intermediate
- Russian, Elementary
Timeline
R&D Principal Engineer - Sandia National Laboratories
01.2024 - 02.2025
R&D Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Sandia National Laboratories
12.2021 - 12.2023
Managing Member - The Dojo Master
01.2020 - 01.2025
R&D Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Sandia National Laboratories
01.2019 - 12.2021
Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Honeywell
01.2015 - 01.2019
Sr. Mechanical Engineer - Caterpillar Inc.
05.2010 - 12.2013
Research Assistant - University of Louisiana at Lafayette
08.2009 - 07.2010
Engineering Intern - Lafayette Metropolitan Planning Organization
05.2009 - 08.2009
Field Service Technician - United Mechanical
01.2004 - 12.2006
Molding Technician - Frank's International
01.2001 - 12.2003
University of Miami - Professional Development, Cyber Security
Michigan Technological University - Professional Development, Mechanical Engineering
Louisiana State University - Professional Development, Petroleum Engineering
University of Louisiana At Lafayette - Master of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering
University of Louisiana At Lafayette - Bachelor of Engineering, Mechanical Engineering