Mike Ahrens

About Mike Ahrens

I love designing mechanical parts, it\'s my passion! I excel at developing physical hardware to support disruptive technologies across many design domains. My approach to complex problem solving is thorough and based on 25+ years of real-world design and manufacturing experience. By using superior communication skills, creative thinking and emotional intelligence, I lead engineering teams by example while driving measurable results. As one of my favorite artists states:\"Excellence is never by accident.\"-Damian MarleyMy comprehensive skill set spans close-tolerance machine design, consumer electronics system-design, electro-mechanical packaging, specialized fixturing/tooling for new product launch, work instructions (SOP) and process flow development, mechanism design, plastic injection-molded part design, carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) part design, thermal performance optimization, sheet metal chassis design, raw material/finish selection, DFx techniques and intellectual property creation. SKILLS:• Ability to understand customer needs and convert those needs into tangible products• Versed at creating intellectual property (IP) with clear corporate value• Working knowledge of common metal working, CNC machining, part finishing and packaging techniques• Keen interest in lean manufacturing, 5S, work place organization, ergonmics and hand tool curation• Open communicator with respect to concept visualization and design execution• Solid understanding of 3D CAD modeling (NX, Solidworks, Creo) and relevant manufacturing methods• Ability to analyze partial data to drive complex decision making• Mentoring junior engineers and peers interested in advancing their ME knowledge

Experience

1. Principal Mechanical Engineer

   Tau

   Jan 2025 — Present · Redwood City, CA, US

Education

• Bellarmine College Preparatory

  High School Diploma

• Santa Clara University

  Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering

Skills

• Welding
• Machining
• Tolerance Analysis
• Powder Coating
• Sheet Metal
• Injection Molding
• Supply Chain Management
• Weld
• Systems Engineering
• Machine Design
• Etching
• Rapid Prototyping
• Cnc Manufacturing
• Mechanical Engineering
• Electro-Mechanical Packaging
• Raw Material Selection
• Tooling Design
• Materials
• Finish Selection
• Plastics
• Design for Manufacturing
• Progressive
• Wire Edm
• Metal Fabrication
• Fixture Design
• Work Instructions
• Process Flow Documentation
• Intellectual Property
• Plating
• Cost Reduction
• Sheet Metal Design
• Insert Molding
• Pcb Outline Definition
• Mechanism Design
• Manufacturing
• Cnc Turning
• Machined Part Design
• Solidworks
• Project Management
• Progressive Die Stamping