Paulsson, Inc. (PI) – Van Nuys, CA

Projects

As the Lead Sr. Mechanical Design Engineer at Paulsson, Inc. (PI), I led the design of a fiber optic-based high-temperature, high-pressure non-electric sensor. Design specifications included high chemical resistance to borehole environments, the ability to measure 0-15,000 psi (operating pressure) with a burst pressure of at least 20,000 psi, and the capacity to measure temperatures ranging from 0 to 700°F. Using SolidWorks and Finite Element Analysis (FEA), I designed a prototype that underwent in-house machining.

This led to an internal proof-of-concept lab testing and the achievement of a TRL 3-4 status. Notably, my design work resulted in co-inventorship on the pending patent for this sensor.

Another interesting project I led was the mechanical engineering development of a magnetostrictive terfenol-d rod actuator capable of producing 10,000 lbf at 1,600Hz. This actuator was designed for deployment to depths of 10,000 ft in challenging boreholes.

More so, I spearheaded the innovation and prototyping of various downhole centralizers with design depths reaching 10,000 ft.

Technical Manager

In my role as Technical Manager at PI, a small company with a compact engineering team, I quickly demonstrated my capabilities, leading to the opportunity to hire and manage a recent college graduate in mechanical engineering.

During this experience, I gained valuable insights into mentoring and collaborating with fellow engineers. Identifying their strengths and weaknesses, understanding their personal dynamics, and effectively leveraging their skills to achieve optimal results became a fulfilling aspect of my managerial responsibilities.

Additional Roles

In my capacity as a leader, I guided our team through multiple Clean Technology incubators, including the Clean Tech Open, recognized as the world's largest clean technology incubator program, and the Cal-Seed Business competition.

I played a key role in grant proposal writing and editing, contributing to the successful pursuit of funding opportunities.

Furthermore, I took charge of modernizing our marketing strategies by developing a new website and enhancing our advertisement/Search Engine Optimization (SEO) presence at Paulsson.com.

Field Deployment of Developed Technology

I successfully implemented the technologies I helped develop in the field on multiple occasions. One notable instance is depicted in the image above, where I conducted an on-site survey and monitoring of an Underground Gas Storage (UGS) facility near Stockton, CA. This hands-on experience allowed for real-world validation and optimization of our innovative solutions.