Mechanical engineer experienced in product development, CAD modelling, engineering analysis and manufacturing support. Focused on practical, data-informed solutions for automated equipment and industrial products.
MECHANICAL DESIGN PROFILEEthan ParkerCAD / systems / manufacturing
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Engineering Overview
Ethan Parker is a mechanical engineer with hands-on experience in mechanical design, product development, design validation, manufacturing support and engineering documentation. He uses SolidWorks, AutoCAD and ANSYS to develop components and assemblies, prepare manufacturing drawings and evaluate structural and thermal performance. His background also includes CNC and sheet-metal processes, prototyping, tolerance analysis, process improvement and production reporting with Excel and Power BI. Ethan is interested in sustainable product design, automation and robotics, with experience collaborating across electrical, software, manufacturing and quality disciplines. He also volunteers as a mentor for a local secondary-school robotics club.
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Featured Engineering Projects
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Autonomous Warehouse Cart
Final-year university team project involving the design and construction of a compact autonomous cart capable of transporting up to 60 kg in a simulated warehouse environment. Modelled the chassis, wheel mounts, battery tray, sensor brackets and protective enclosure in SolidWorks. Performed load calculations and chassis FEA, integrated ultrasonic sensors, motor drivers and an Arduino-based control system with a multidisciplinary team, and produced a working prototype and technical report covering requirements, testing, risks and future improvements.
Independent engineering analysis completed in 2024. Built a MATLAB model to estimate heat-transfer performance under changing flow rates and inlet temperatures. Compared analytical results with experimental data, documented assumptions, uncertainty and limitations, and identified operating conditions that improved estimated thermal effectiveness while maintaining acceptable pressure drop.
MATLABHeat-Transfer AnalysisExperimental Data Analysis
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Engineering Experience
Mechanical Design Engineer
NovaMotion Systems
January 2025–Present
Designs and validates mechanical components and assemblies for automated material-handling equipment, supporting projects from CAD development through prototype builds and engineering changes.
Design mechanical assemblies and components using SolidWorks.
Produce manufacturing drawings incorporating GD&T, bills of materials, tolerance requirements and revision control.
Perform static structural and thermal FEA in ANSYS to validate brackets, frames, shafts and enclosures before fabrication.
Collaborate with electrical and software engineers to integrate sensors, motors, guarding and control hardware.
Redesigned a conveyor support assembly, reducing part count by 18% and simplifying workshop assembly.
Support prototype builds, design reviews, root-cause investigations and engineering change requests.
Graduate Manufacturing Engineer
Apex Precision Manufacturing
February 2023–December 2024
Supported manufacturing process improvement, production documentation and quality activities for low-volume industrial products.
Assisted with improvements to CNC machining, sheet-metal and assembly processes.
Created work instructions, process flow diagrams, inspection checklists and manufacturing documentation.
Used time-study data to identify production bottlenecks and improve workstation layout.
Worked with quality staff to investigate non-conforming parts and implement corrective actions.
Developed Excel and Power BI dashboards covering scrap rate, rework, cycle time and production output.
Participated in supplier reviews and incoming inspections of machined and fabricated components.
Graduated with a Distinction average. Major areas included Mechanical Design, Thermodynamics, Fluid Mechanics, Mechatronics, Manufacturing, Materials and Engineering Management. Completed the Autonomous Warehouse Cart as the final-year project.
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Certifications, Awards & Professional Involvement
Certification
Certified SolidWorks Associate (CSWA)
Dassault Systèmes · 2024Certification
White Card — Construction Induction, Victoria
2023Certification
ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems Awareness
2024Certification
First Aid & CPR
2025Achievement
Faculty Engineering Design Award
2022
Received the award for the final-year capstone prototype.
Achievement
Continuous-Improvement Challenge — Second Place
Placed second in an internal continuous-improvement challenge for a production workflow redesign.
Achievement
Open-Source Engineering Resources
Built and published several open-source CAD models and small engineering calculators for student use.
Achievement
Engineers Australia — Graduate Member
Graduate member of Engineers Australia.
Achievement
Robotics Club Volunteer Mentor
Volunteers as a mentor for a local secondary-school robotics club.
Achievement
Engineering Workshops and Hackathons
Participated in university Formula SAE design workshops and engineering hackathons.