QUALIFICATIONS
- BE Mech (Hons) – 2011
- First Aid Level 1 – St John
- Sales Performer Certificate – David Forman
- Heights Safety Certificate (Working at Heights) – Safety ‘n Action
- Site Safe Passport – Site Safe
SOFTWARE
Mechanical CAD Software
- AutoCAD
- OnShape (PTC)
- SolidWorks (Dassault)
PDM/PLM Software
- SolidWorks PDM (Dassault)
Analysis Tools
- SolidWorks Simulation (Dassault)
Tom Davies
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Skills Overview
Tom has extensive experience in mechanical design, project engineering, technical sales, and leadership across industries including green energy, automation, aerospace, industrial systems, and deep tech. He thrives on complex challenges where he can apply his broad experience to new problems. Known for his problem-solving skills and commercial focus, Tom helps clients turn engineering challenges into practical, reliable outcomes, delivering innovative solutions with real-world impact.
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MECHANICAL DESIGN – Tom has a strong intuitive understanding of mechanical systems and design, coupled with the ability to perform engineering calculations, work from first principles, and apply engineering standards. With these skills, he can comfortably take designs from a need through to manufactured and installed product. This expertise is the result of over a decade working as a mechanical engineer.
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INTERPERSONAL / LEADERSHIP – Tom is a strong communicator who enjoys working with people. In his current role at Caliber Design, he is part of a distributed team of 65+ engineers who work directly with customers. His quick and effective integration into client teams and culture, as well as his ability to communicate and adapt, is key to the success of their projects. He consistently receives 9 and 10 out of 10 in customer feedback surveys. During his roles at Windsor Engineering, Tom worked closely with and guided colleagues across engineering, design, costing, and manufacturing teams to deliver quality proposals and projects. He also supported junior engineers to deliver their projects to a high standard.
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PROJECT MANAGEMENT – As a project and sales engineer at Windsor, Tom was responsible for managing delivery of small-scale industrial projects from quotes and costing through to installation. This required excellent communication and organisation skills, attention to detail, issue and risk management, budget management, and planning. These skills, combined with his proactive approach to delivery, meant that projects were delivered on time and to a high standard.
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PROBLEM SOLVING – Tom thrives on solving novel problems. As part of his technical sales role, he often carried out paid consultancy for clients where his scope was to observe, measure, and identify operational and design deficiencies in air pollution control and other industrial systems. From there, he provided pragmatic recommendations and quotations, allowing clients to significantly improve their systems. He carried out these audits across New Zealand and Fiji in industries including timber, cement, dairy, metals, and wool.
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SOFTWARE – Tom is a proficient user of SolidWorks and Onshape (CAD), as well as common Microsoft Office and Google Workspace products. He has experience with several PDM, ERP, and CRM software packages, and learns to use new software quickly and intuitively.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
From a young age, I have enjoyed building, repairing, and understanding how things work (particularly things with moving parts). As I grew up I developed a keen interest in the sciences and math which naturally lead to me study mechanical engineering at university.
Throughout my career, I have continued to develop my interest and understanding in how things work across a range of industries while honing my problem solving and communication skills as well. I am particularly interested in aerospace, automation, and areas we can reduce our environmental impact through smart design and better use of resources.
Project Experience
Wireless Power Transfer
I supported a team of electrical and microwave engineers through design and manufacture of structural components and electronics enclosures for a prototype power beaming system. I also completed a design for manufacture (DFM) assessment and report on the system to support there scale up to high volume production.
FOOD PACKAGING
Carton Unloader Cost Reduction Exercise
Led a design review to identify cost reduction opportunities, focusing on component simplification, labor efficiency, and alternative mechanisms. Collaborated with designers, fitters and stake holders to preserve machine intent, and delivered a recommendations report with projected savings, risks, and ROI to support informed decision-making.
FABRUM
Hydrogen Storage and Dispensing
This was a fast-paced project working with Fabrum’s cutting-edge cryogenics technology. We designed and built hydrogen storage, transfer and vehicle-based systems for use in heavy vehicles. This was a greenfield site with lots of unique challenges and many stakeholders. I was responsible for late-stage design and manufacturing support on cryogenic pressure vessels as well as site pipework and electrical cable management and support structures.
Chain Conveyor Bypass System
This was a fast-paced project which involved the extension and modification of an existing chain conveyor system to be installed into an operational meatworks. Our system allowed new automated equipment to be installed and tested with minimal disruption to the end-users production outputs. My role involved producing 3D models, manufacturing drawings and fatigue calculations.
AEROSPACE INDUSTRY
Semi-Automated Component Production Line
In this project I designed bespoke equipment for a semi-automated production line to assist high volume production of space flight components. Working closely with the product development team and automation engineers, I designed equipment from scratch. This involved iterating concepts and building prototypes to prove concepts before finalising the designs. Equipment I developed, included an automated test station with product gripper, torque and vibration measurement, acoustically isolated cells, and HEPA filtered air. I also carried out development and prototyping of a fully automated machine to precisely insert magnets into a rotor, complete with self-checking.
BSPKL
Manufacturing and Test Systems Development
As Engineering Manager, I worked directly with industry leading scientists to develop the specification of our next ion beam manufacturing system, as well as operating and developing our existing systems. I also developed a specialised electrolyser and pneumatically controlled press tool which enabled our scientists to conduct highly controlled experiments as part of product development.
Business Support & Project Management
Supported the CEO with planning and costing a major scale up of the company as part of a grant application for our next phase of development. Managed contractors and staff to turn our aged facilities into a modern office space and tidy lab environment that we were proud to bring investors through.
FACTEON
Automated Whiteware Manufacturing Line
In this project, I modified and developed an automated punching station to meet new product requirements as part of a washing machine bowl production line for a prominent whiteware supplier. Working in a multidisciplinary team, this involved producing 3D models and engineering drawings to suit both internal and end user requirements.
INVERT ROBOTICS
Wall Climbing Robot
After developing and patenting a non-magnetic adhesion system for a wall climbing robot in a university project, I joined Invert Robotics full-time to develop the first commercial version of the robot for use in the inspection of stainless steel dairy tanks. I worked with our multi-discipline engineering team and manufacturers to design and build more reliable versions of the adhesion system and traction/drive system.
FRASER FIRE & RESCUE
Airport Crash Tender
This project involved complete design and build of an airport crash tender including, body and tanks, pipework, control panels, pneumatics, locker fit out and cab fit out. As lead mechanical designer I worked closely with suppliers, our internal fabrication, assembly and electrical teams and the customer.
WINDSOR ENGINEERING
Industrial Sales Engineer
As an Industrial Sales Engineer I consulted on industrial system performance issues. I sized, specified and designed industrial systems and equipment (including air pollution control (APC), pneumatic conveying, heat recovery, and fan systems) for both new and existing processes. I also developed and maintained relationships with customers, reviewed and responded to tender and contract documents, and wrote and priced project proposals (working closely with our costing team). As part of this role, I regularly visited customers on their sites throughout New Zealand and in Fiji, to gather technical and site information and to understand their process-specific requirements in order to develop custom solutions to meet customers’ specific needs.
