Jacob Merkley

About Jacob Merkley

I’m a Mechanical Engineering graduate from Purdue University with experience across mechanical design, manufacturing engineering, product development, and custom engineered solutions. I enjoy working at the intersection of design intent, manufacturability, performance, and real-world production constraints. My background includes 3D CAD modeling, 2D engineering drawings, GD & T, tolerance stack-up considerations, design for manufacturability, engineering change processes, component selection, technical documentation, and cross-functional problem solving. I have worked on custom forklift modifications, industrial equipment design, mechanical systems, and hands-on engineering projects where reliability, cost, safety, and manufacturability all had to be balanced. I’m especially interested in roles involving mechanical design, manufacturing support, process improvement, product development, automation, tooling, fixturing, and continuous improvement. I enjoy breaking down complex technical problems, identifying root causes, evaluating design tradeoffs, and developing practical engineering solutions that improve performance, quality, and efficiency. I bring a strong foundation in mechanical engineering principles, CAD-driven design, manufacturing processes, problem solving, and project execution. Whether I’m creating models and drawings, supporting production, improving a process, troubleshooting a design issue, or collaborating with cross-functional teams, I’m motivated by building reliable, manufacturable solutions that create measurable impact.

Experience

1. Design Engineer

   Toyota Material Handling

   Jun 2025 — Present · Columbus, IN, US

   Design and document custom forklift modifications in CATIA V5, delivering 2D/3D models, drawings, and engineering packages for customer-specific requests • Create and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) and processed Engineering Change Requests (ECRs) to ensure accurate product configurations • Partner with production engineers to resolve fit, function, and manufacturability issues on the shop floor, supporting both combustion and electric vehicle builds • Apply Toyota Production System (TPS) principles, contributing to Kaizen improvements and consistently achieving a 3-day design turnaround for special projects • Support troubleshooting of mechanical, hydraulic, and electrical systems, ensuring safety, reliability, and manufacturability of customized forklifts

Education

• Purdue University

  Certificate, Entrepreneurship and Marketing

• Purdue University

  Bachelors Degree, Mechanical Engineering

  2020 — 2024