Grant Kappes

About Grant Kappes

Hello, I am Grant J. Kappes. I grew up in Northwest Indiana, and attended Hobart Highschool, Ivy Tech Valparaiso, and am currently attending Purdue University. Design, Engineering, and Problem solving are my passion. I was a part of a VEX robotics team for 7+ years, hobby in CAD and 3D printing, and enjoy creating in my freetime. Purdue University (West Lafayette)Junior in Mechanical Engineering TechnologyHere, I have developed many hard skills such as CAD, PLC design and application, spatial analysis, coding, reading and applying technical standards (ANSI or ASTM, for example), testing materials in worklike environments to ensure they comply with such standards, cost analysis, navigating the Microsoft \"ecosystem,\" and a considerable amount of hands-on work. More is to come!Job/ Intern Experience:Summer Internship at \"Southlake Automation\"This included PLC and industrial applications. I learned design, working with other skilled employees, how to read and apply professional blueprints effectively, and most importantly, how to assemble and create panels that use PLC systems for the intention of automating systems such as \"Fanuc\" robots. I got to experince a professional workplace environment, learning how to collaborate and communicate ideas effectively and at industry standards.Summer Work with \"Simmon\'s Landscaping\"In between spring and fall semesters, I worked landscaping as a way to make money and foster connections. Meeting new people on a weekly, sometimes daily, basis is a very effective way to create new relationships. In this role, I developed many soft skills. This involves customer service, being able to communicate design and intention in workplace environments, hard work, timlieness, managing small crews, learning to adapt to unexpected situations, learning machines on the fly (trenchers, Ditch-Witch, and more), maintaining a positive company representation on the job, working with my hands, and learning to interact with upper-management in an effective and pragmatic manner.

Experience

1. Process Engineer

   Innovated Manufacturing

   Jul 2025 — Present · Crown Point, IN, US

   I work with additive manufacturing, automating industrial processes, ISO Standard Certifications, product & part design, and more. My main role is to create systems that solve problems in innovative and intelligent manners through automation and innovation. This often consists of robotic arms, conveyors, sorting systems, cobot integration, and CAD work. Working in a hybrid environment has made this job an entirely new learning experience; I get to work on the shop floor, office, and remote when I am pursuing a higher education. I get the privilege of consulting, remote design work, designing a QMS, and more just while remote. Along with my Engineer role, I have been working with the CMO to learn marketing strategies and web development. This is a new skill set I picked up, and am able to apply. This involves LinkedIn posts, website updates and design, marketing campaigns, and more.

Education

• Purdue University

  Mechanical Engineering/Mechanical Technology/Technician

• Hobart High School

  Engineering