Zach Zupancic

Bringing LEAN methodology to CAD

CAD Architect


Work History

Senior CAD Designer 2 @ Astranis
San Francisco, CA - June 2023-Present

Manages configuration and design infrastructure of top-level spacecraft, and production assemblies. Manages programs and procedures that govern how CAD interacts with PDM and PLM. Develop, document, teach, and improve others best practices in design and drawing methodology. Model and review components, system-wide assemblies, and engineering drawings.

Senior CAD Architect @ Ember
San Diego, CA - November 2021-May 2023

Responsible for the direction, development, and deployment of the engineering design framework at scale, SolidWorks, PDM, as well as supporting the project engineering team. Provides technical leadership, education, and guidance in all things related to engineering design and structure. Works cross-functionally to obtain requirements, understand and set priorities, and develop solutions that minimize effort and maximize output.

CAD Architect @ OtterProducts
San Diego, CA - July 2020-November 2021

Supports engineering and is responsible for the direction, development, and deployment of the engineering design framework as well as all applicable series templates. Provided technical leadership and guidance, and educates staff in template design and overall design best practices. Sought out forward-looking approaches and worked with the team to drive design efficiency.  Deep understanding of parametric design, complex file structures, and an understanding of both plastics design and DFM rules with different technologies. Collaborated cross-functionally to obtain requirements, understand and set priorities, and develop solutions that minimize effort and maximize output.

Senior CAD Designer @ LifeProof
San Diego, CA - April 2015-July 2020  

Developed a top down modeling architecture that reduced design time and improved our time to market. Supervised and collaborated with team on project specific CAD development, relayed and troubleshot engineering issues, and provided support wherever needed. Lead lunch and learns to build up the entire teams knowledge of best design practices, as well as how to improve efficiency at every stage of development. Generated parts, assemblies, and drawings for various projects. Traveled to vendors and OEM Device companies to provide instantaneous design decisions and changes to the project.

  • Research and Development, Drawing & Part Quality Control, Design and Engineering Verification Testing, Reverse Engineering, Plastic Injection Molding Design, Part Design, and Assembly creation.

  • SolidWorks

Product Designer @ Weiland Sliding Doors and Windows Inc. 
Oceanside, CA - March 2011-April 2015

Lead designer for the research and development of all products and units. Converted and consolidated entire part library from paper & physical components to 3D parts/extrusions to reduce guesswork & aid in R&D. Helped develop software to speed up and improve production documentation, and give the company a better overall cost analysis of all systems. Lead design department in the creation and modification of customer projects.

  • Teaching, Team Management, Drawing Quality Control, Reverse Engineering, Aluminium & plastic Extrusion Design, Part Design, and Assembly creation.

  • SolidWorks, and AutoCAD

Product Designer @ MasterShift 
Fallbrook, CA - March 2011-2013

Designed further enhancement into the product line as well as produced drawings to be manufactured/machined for mass production.

  • Rapid Prototyping, Injection Molding, Part & Assembly Design.

  • SolidWorks

Octopus CADDE 
Fallbrook, CA - October 2010-2017
Owner / Designer
 

Further develop client’s ideas and products. Dealing with all design oriented projects from ethanol plant design to aquaponic green houses to fillet knives.

  • SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Rapid Prototyping.

Design Engineer @ OSE Product Development 
Oceanside, CA - June 2010 - March 2011

Turning client's ideas, inventions, and concepts into 3D working parts and assemblies for prototyping and mass production

  • Reverse Engineering, Engineering Verification Testing, Part & Assembly Design.

  • SolidWorks

Design Engineer @ TabCo. Optical Inc. 
Fallbrook, CA - June 2007-2017

Created 3D parts and assemblies for multiple units from red line, and napkin drawings. Reverse engineered parts and assemblies of existing parts to reduce production cost, time spent on machine, and shipping weight. Also is a design consultant for the use and functionality of the parts and assemblies to achieve the desired results.

  • Reverse Engineering, Part & Assembly Design, and Design Verification.

  • SolidWorks.

Mechanical Engineer @ MSW Consulting Inc. 
Mulberry, FL - June 2009-October 2009

Redesign of tanks, heat exchangers, distillation columns, as well as crate Process Flow Diagrams and Process Identification Drawings for future and current applications in ethanol plants throughout the world.

  • Plant and Tank Design, Plant Diagrams.

  • AutoCAD & SolidWorks

Design Drafter @ Pursuit Dynamics Inc. 
Fallbrook, CA - December 2008-June 2009

Integrated our unit into existing ethanol plants, created piping layouts, tank locations drawings, structure drawings, and redesigns of our unit to increase output as well as ease of installations.

  • Structure & Flow Diagrams, Plant and Tank Design.

  • AutoCAD & SolidWorks

CADD Engineer @ TelData Enterprise Networks 
San Diego, CA - January 2008-December 2008 

Ran a one man department overseeing all aspects of CAD production for the sales and operations departments. Responsible for working with sales department to create RFPs, designing and drafting telecom closets, data centers, and proposed jack locations for commercial companies; such as Pfizer, LPL Financial, Liberty Mutual, and Intuit, for use by the sales departments. Completed as-builds from the red-line prints returned from the Cable Technicians, ensuring timely completion of work so that project stays both on time and within budget. Managed warranties process between our four main fiber & cable partners which includes monitoring test results and completing appropriate paperwork with the vendors and clients.

  • As-built drawings, floor plan creation and modification, data center, MDF, & IDF layout drawings, client relations, data entry for cabling infrastructure, sales presentation creation, design consultant, warranty maintenance, red line corrections and additions.

  • AutoCAD & SolidWorks

Guitar Sales & Technician @ Guitar Center
San Marcos, CA - July 2007-January 2008

Worked as a Sales person in the guitar department for Guitar Center, reached my A-Level certification in guitars. Met and exceeded my quota each month, increased the sales of hollow-bodies electric guitars by 200% during my employment. Coordinated with fellow employees to set-up for events.

  • Sales

CAD Drafter & Technician @ Salcor Inc.
Fallbrook, CA - Summers of 2005 & 2006

Worked with a national business to piece together a UV light assembly to properly disinfect waste from sewage plants. Also reverse engineered the unit to ease future part modification and sourcing, as well as for installation packages and sales presentations.

  • Reverse engineering, technician, quality control, drawing, part, and assembly creation.

  • SolidWorks, and my hands.