
Engineering Leader, Übernetworker, FIRST LEGO League Coach, Adjunct Professor, & Dakar Dreamer; powered by caffeine.
Greater Milwaukee Area

Engineering Leader, Übernetworker, FIRST LEGO League Coach, Adjunct Professor, & Dakar Dreamer; powered by caffeine.
Greater Milwaukee Area
I strive to help engineering workgroups execute through thoughtful leadership, a disciplined engineering approach, and flexibility. I have routinely demonstrated a quick grasp of new technologies and specialties outside my original core expertise. I am a specialist in deploying solutions and solving problems. I have an entrepreneurial spirit and focus on execution. I not only get things done, I get them done right.
I am active in large-scale engineering projects in mining, automotive, defense, machinery, and energy sectors. I have particular experience in managing and leading remote and distributed groups involving direct- and contract-employees, sub-contractors, technical partners, and consultants with cross-functional responsibility in engineering, business development, and technical marketing.
I am extremely customer-focused and always seek to find the right blend of techniques and technologies in order to deliver on expectations. I take a disciplined, requirements-driven approach to systems engineering. I've worked for OEMs, Suppliers, Consultancies, and Engineering Software Development firms so I've seen industries from many sides. I am driven to help engineering work groups perform better and develop better products. If you have a product development challenge, please contact me to see how I can apply my disciplined approach and perspectives to help you.
Product Development, Simulation Driven Engineering, Project Management, Recruiting Talent, Building and Leading Teams, Business Development, Technical Leadership, Recruiting, Networking, Automotive, Defense, and Heavy industries, Managing remote and distributed workgroups, CAD/CAM/CAE software, PDM software, technical programming languages, Pro/ENGINEER (BMX, MDX/MDO), MECHANICA, SolidWorks, MATLAB, MS Project, MS Office/Outlook, Salesforce CRM, LinkedIn, Social Networking, Vuuch
(Educational Institution; Higher Education industry)
August 2009 — Present (5 months)
Currently teaching as Adjunct Professor at UW-Milwaukee
I'm bringing as much "real world" engineering problems to my classes as possible. Students today deserve to the opportunity to learn the theory and apply it to practical problems. The students are learning to get a 'feel' for the fundamentals and not simply memorizing formulas.
(Fall 2009)
* ME462 - Intermediate Machine Design
Text: Mechanical Behavior of Materials (3rd Edition)
by Norman E Dowling
Focus on fundamentals of stress-strain relationships, force-flow concepts, fatigue, static indeterminacy, modeling and simulation, physical testing, and additional topics on classical machine design components. We are looking at using real problems with test-cases for the lifting analysis of a large structure, a vehicle suspension system, and a high-torque industrial gearbox. Many practical applications to apply statics, dynamics, basic machine design, fatigue, etc. to real problems. I hope to arm my students with the tools to tackle complicated problems with a disciplined approach.
* CE202 - Dynamics
Text: Engineering Mechanics - Dynamics (12th Edition) by Russell C. Hibbeler
I'm trying to enhance the traditional dynamics course work with an emphasis on developing the students instincts. Students should have a 'feel' for dynamics that I don't think is emphasized enough. Dynamics is such a critical foundation for engineers, they should have a natural affinity for this stuff. I hope I can help bring them there.
(Computer Software industry)
April 2009 — Present (9 months)
I am working as an advisor to a startup that is developing software that improves communication during the product development process for the entire workgroup. Vuuch is applying social networking concepts to the design process. Vuuch changes the way you communicate by bringing to life the product being designed through what Vuuch calls Design Discussions.
I am working with a series of beta users to help refine the concepts. If you would like to give this a try you can visit www.vuuch.com or contact me directly for more information on how to participate. Please let me know what you think of the concept.
There is also a LinkedIn group for Vuuch.
(Privately Held; Mechanical or Industrial Engineering industry)
December 2007 — Present (2 years 1 month)
Mixed role of technical leadership and business development. Originally recruited to lead project activities for P&H Mining Equipment and have since expanded role to include developing new opportunities primarily in mining equipment and military ground vehicle sectors.
I lead engineering project work with P&H Mining Equipment where we serve as extensions to their engineering workgroups. This is a dynamic, interactive working relationship that pairs the customer's product expertise with our capabilities in structural analysis, conceptual- and detail-design, detailing, and product development expertise. We have been successful in not just getting the job done, but in introducing advanced product development techniques that help our customer remain competitive.
Currently also working on a proposal to support an industrial equipment manufacturer with a project for a military application. Additionally, I'm interested in working with independent consultants and engineering software companies interested in looking for ways to grow our business together.
Please let me know how I can help you lower development costs, improve product performance, and get to market quicker.
(Public Company; JOYG; Mining & Metals industry)
December 2007 — Present (2 years 1 month)
Serve in supervisory and consultative role for P&H supporting activities for Mechanical Systems Engineering, Structural Engineering, and Electrical Engineering groups. Responsible for leading DAXCON's contributions to the product engineering activities for P&H.
I am leading the transformation of our off-site structural analysis group to providing full capabilities in structural engineering. This capability now spans across FEA, modeling and detailing of complex weldments, fatigue life estimation, etc. In support of P&H we utilize the following industry standards for structural engineering:
* AWS D1.1 - Structural Welding Code
* BS 7608 (Fatigue design and assessment of steel structures)
* AISC Steel Construction Manual
My responsibilities extend into introducing new modeling and simulation techniques to support new product development.
I currently supervise a team of 9 engineers on this account in multiple locations.
Much of the current work involves structural engineering of heavy weldments and gears for fatigue life improvement, gearbox systems, cost reduction, and weight reduction. Also working on sophisticated loads models of electric shovels, draglines, and new machines under development.
(Primary/Secondary Education industry)
October 2007 — Present (2 years 3 months)
Currently Assistant Coach for Team 360: LEGOlas at Stone Bank School in Oconomowoc (Fall 2009). Topic this year is "Smart Moves". Our research topic is how Rough Waves affect oceanic vessels and how they can protect themselves against this random threat.
Prior experiences:
Assistant Coach for for Team 5247: Mighty LEGOers at Stone Bank School in Oconomowoc (Fall 2008)
Started a LEGO Club at Grafton Elementary School (Winter 2008).
Started two Jr. FIRST LEGO League teams at Dublin Elementary School (Fall 2007). This was a hugely rewarding experience for me personally and the students. I was moved to act by Dean Kamen's rousing keynote speech at the PTC/USER Conference in 2007.
Next year's challenge is called "Body Forward" with the tagline: “Engineering Meets Medicine”.
(Management Consulting industry)
January 2006 — Present (4 years )
I work with recruiters to assist them with finding qualified candidates and new clients. I can assist with networking for candidates, creating and deciphering position profiles, and research. I like making connections and hunting for talent.
I would like consult with those that are leading or investing in engineering-oriented start-up companies. My experience as both a management-level engineering consultant and a former member of a venture-funded engineering software company makes me an ideal consultant for those seeking technical and marketing expertise. I understand the needs of engineering workgroups, the technical and process limits they feel, and how they get things done with the tools they use. Let me help you understand how your organization can tailor your product or messaging. I can also provide a valuable reference point for investors or potential investors.
I'm also available for working with individuals that would like coaching on managing their engineering career. Companies are not helping employees manage their careers so it is up to you to take control of this. Let me know if I can help you.
I'm always looking for ways to use my experience and network to help others.
(Sports industry)
1990 — Present (19 years )
I've been a fan of the Dakar since I was a child and I remember reading about it in AutoWeek magazine. Reading Ed McCabe's book "Against Gravity" (www.amazon.com/Against-Gravity-Edward-McCabe/dp/0446514543) got me hooked. I tell everyone I'll do it somehow.
Dreaming for another year now...
(Privately Held; 11-50 employees; Computer Software industry)
November 2007 — January 2008 (3 months)
Continued working with Comet Solutions on a consulting basis to support the company's sales activities and engineering service projects with customers. Support the Comet sales team to present the best possible technical solution for customers. Available as a member of the customer project team to deploy Comet to quickly achieve results.
A case study on how "General Dynamics Land Systems Achieves Early Simulation in a Unified Performance-Engineering Workspace Based on Abstract Modeling" is available here: http://www.cometsolutions.com/docs/GDLS_AbstractModeling_CaseStudy_SEPT08_FINAL.pdf
Feel free to contact me if you are interested in how Comet can transform your product development process through better use of product simulation.
(Privately Held; Computer Software industry)
April 2006 — December 2007 (1 year 9 months)
Member of the management team at Comet Solutions. Responsible for driving sales activity, application engineering, and technical marketing. Especially valuable in representing real use cases and identifying opportunities to the development team. Personally responsible for the concept and requirements for a "dashboard" capability within the Comet project environment.
Responsible for projects with General Dynamics, The Aerospace Corporation, SPMP, and others.
Comet gives design engineering workgroups the software tools to transform their product engineering process by enabling early simulation. Comet's breakthrough Abstract Modeling capability allows specialists to capture expertise in simulation templates that non-experts can then easily use.
I continue to work with Comet Solutions on a consulting basis to support the company's sales activities and engineering service projects with customers.
(Primary/Secondary Education industry)
2004 — December 2007 (3 years )
Vice-president of Parent-Teacher Association (2004 - December 2007)
Regular in-class volunteer (Math, Science)
Started a Junior First LEGO League for 2007-2008
(Public Company; 1001-5000 employees; PMTC; Computer Software industry)
2003 — 2007 (4 years )
5-time presenter at PTC/USER conferences.
2007: “Simulate Early: How Pro/ENGINEER is an Integral Part of a Simulation-Driven Engineering Process”
2006: “Making Pro/ENGINEER Excel: Use and Limitations of Coupling Two Programs”
2005: “It is Called Pro/ENGINEER for a Reason! Engineering the Future of Military Tactical Vehicles”
2004: “Optimal Synthesis of Mechanisms within the Pro/ENGINEER Environment”
2003: “Using Design Intent Architecture for Interface Models” This topic was subsequently presented to a RUG in Michigan.
(Public Company; PMTC; Computer Software industry)
2002 — 2007 (5 years )
Simulation and Behavioral Modeling (2002 - 2007)
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; BAESY; Defense & Space industry)
January 2004 — April 2006 (2 years 4 months)
Became Armor Holdings, now BAE Systems
Advanced Concepts Technology Demonstrator projects. Primary author of technical portions of proposals totaling over $22 Million to Government. Lead effort to initiate a systems engineering approach to the design of future vehicle platforms to aggressive performance specifications. Vehicle features include (integral) armored cab, advanced material handling equipment, diesel-electric hybrid powertrain, height-adjustable independent suspension, advanced cooling system, optimized frame design, integrated C4I system, etc. Responsible for entire engineering project planning and execution for engineering based CAD models; vehicle dynamics simulations; advanced powertrain simulations; and long-term, strategic purchases and partnerships with software vendors, engineering consultants, and development partners. Also responsible for integrating design and analysis activities for reliability, maintainability, logistics, costing, and procurement.
(Public Company; 10,001 or more employees; BAESY; Defense & Space industry)
September 2001 — April 2006 (4 years 8 months)
Stewart & Stevenson was acquired by Armor Holdings in 2006. Armor Holdings was acquired by BAE Systems in 2007, after I left. See details below.
(Non-Profit; 51-200 employees; Publishing industry)
2005 — 2005 (less than a year)
Authored and presented “Engineering the Future of Military Tactical Vehicles and Systems with Modeling & Simulation” for the SPIE Defense and Security Symposium 2005. This presentation, developed at the request of the US Army, details the approach taken by Stewart & Stevenson for advanced engineering projects.
(Public Company; 501-1000 employees; BAESY; Defense & Space industry)
September 2001 — January 2004 (2 years 5 months)
Medium Tactical Truck Demonstrator. Engineering project lead for vehicle development project. Developed engineering modeling architecture in Pro/ENGINEER to manage systems engineering requirements. Engineering effort includes the design, analysis, and integration of independent suspensions axles, semi-active suspension controls, 6-wheel steering mechanisms and control systems, new concepts for material handling crane, tilt-bed, cooling system, and advanced cab concepts. Vehicle was built on-time, on-budget, and successfully shown at AUSA symposium.
Engineering procedures development. Successfully lead effort to have Detroit area office certified to ISO/TS 16949. Assisted in the development of new procedures for product/project design and development planning. Responsible for the development of project web pages to plan and organize project activities.
(Privately Held; 1001-5000 employees; Automotive industry)
November 1998 — September 2001 (2 years 11 months)
Developed multi-disciplinary approach to design engineering and analysis to include high level of interaction with testing, materials, and other specialties. Interfaced with parent company in Germany on implementing new design/engineering tools and provided training to engineers at Troy facility. Performed new business program management and initial engineering activities including quotation, supplier development, statement of work review, and damper construction design. Developed standards for product specifications and test procedures and assisted in the development of a product engineering system. Conducted supplier development activities in the USA, Germany, and China.
Managed design engineering and analysis activities on dampers (shock absorbers), coil and air spring modules from initial prototype up to program launch. Responsible for component design, development, and supplier management on dampers, bushings, air and coil springs.
(Public Company; 5001-10,000 employees; Automotive industry)
March 1998 — November 1998 (9 months)
Budd Company (once part or ThyssenKupp) is now part of MartinRea. See employment details below.
(Automotive industry)
March 1998 — November 1998 (9 months)
Now part of MartinRea - Was ThyssenKrupp Budd
Worked at Technical Center office.
Conducted feasibility studies for manufacturing division on structural components to investigate potential design improvements and cost savings.
Developed with vendors the specifications and costs to install a turnkey low speed barrier crash test facility for Technical Center.
Purchased 3-axis VMC CNC machine and organized training, tooling, and software additions.
(Privately Held; 1-10 employees; Automotive industry)
May 1995 — March 1998 (2 years 11 months)
Innovative research and development firm specializing in advanced body structure and chassis system design.
Modular body structure projects for PNGV and OEMs. Responsible for conceptual design for body structures and suspension systems considering mass, packaging, cost, stiffness, crashworthiness, manufacturing, materials, and other details. Completed all FEA and crashworthiness kinematics modeling and analyses on full body structure and on various components. Completed design and analysis for prototype parts including CNC tool-path generation and machining/fabricating of scale models, detail design, and prototype tooling design. Researched and identified suitable strategic partners, suppliers, and product information for a wide range of components and technologies including fasteners, body sealing systems, power train, and body panels.
(Educational Institution; 201-500 employees; Computer Software industry)
1992 — 1995 (3 years )
Helped most users with network, software, and school project work. Always available after hours (often through dawn). Official caffeine provider for CAEL (Computer Aided Engineering Lab).
CEU Credits , Fastening Technology and Bolted/Screwed Joint Design , 2009 — 2009
Great seminar conducted by Bengt Blendulf
Training , SolidWorks Essentials , 2008 — 2008
Quick Start Training 2007 — 2008
Sales training conducted through Gerry Weinberg & Associates
Cruise Introductory Training on Vehicle Simulation 2005 — 2005
Training , Systems Engineering , 2003 — 2003
Training , Lean Project Management , 2003 — 2003
Training , Pro/ENGINEER BMX, MDX/MDO , 2002 — 2003
Product Optimization using Behavioral Modeling and Mechanism Design
The Art of Project Management 2002 — 2002
Dale Carnegie Course: Effective Communications & Human Relations 2001 — 2001
Training , Durability Load Analysis and Synthesis Training , 2001 — 2001
MSME , Systems Engineering , 1998 — 2000
Training , 1998 — 2000
Fundamentals of Metal Fatigue Analysis Training
Threaded Fasteners and the Bolted Joint Training
Chassis & Suspension Component Design for Passenger Cars & Light Trucks Training
Concurrent Engineering Practices Applied to the Design of Chassis Systems Training
Training , Journeyman Statistical Engineering , 1998 — 1998
BSME , Mechanical Engineering , 1990 — 1995
Computer Aided Engineering Lab (CAEL) Consultant, Undergraduate Teaching Assistant & Undergraduate Research Assistant, Personal design project focused on automotive body structure, suspension, and vehicle dynamics engineering through the use of CAD/CAE tools.
High School , 1989 — 1990
High School , 1987 — 1989
Product Development Process, Lean Product Development Systems, System Engineering, Multi-fidelity Modeling, FEA, MBD, CAD, CAE, Vuuch Design Discussion, Pro/ENGINEER, SolidWorks, Parameter Studies, Design Space Exploration, Multi-disciplinary Optimization, Abstract Modeling, Specifications, Requirements Analysis, Target Cascading, Engineering Management, Document Management, Workflow Solutions, Cross-Country Mountain Biking, Boating, Water skiing, Egyptology, Formula 1, Dakar Rally, LEGO, Music, (www.pandora.com/people/matthewloew), Philip Glass, Dead Can Dance, Lisa Gerrard, Brendan Perry, Moby, Bjork, Sinead O'Connor, Art of Noise, Qntal Home Remodeling, Caffeine consumption (Mostly coffee and Red Bull), Travel, (www.world66.com/member/matthewloew), Cruise Vacations
FIRST LEGO League (FLL), MTU Alumni Association, Round Table Member on Eng-Tips Forum (www.eng-tips.com), Moderator Group Member on MCADCentral Forum (www.mcadcentral.com), Formula SAE Alumni
Received an Exceptional Achievement Award from Stewart & Stevenson (now part of BAE Systems),
Technical Paper "Engineering the future of military tactical vehicles and systems with modeling and simulation" appears in the publication: "Enabling Technologies for Simulation Science IX. (Proceedings of the SPIE, 2005)