Tarou Shiota

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Skills Overview

Tarou is an experienced mechanical engineer who has lead the design of products and manufacturing systems across a broad range of industries, working with clients ranging from start-ups through to multinational companies, and in cross-functional teams alongside other disciplines of engineering and science. He has a particular focus on mechanical design for manufacturing, having worked on many projects involving the development of new-to-world processes as they go through the concept/ideation stage, all the way to development, prototyping, testing, building, commissioning and commercialisation.

MACHINE DESIGN – Tarou has extensive experience in the mechanical design of automated machinery, having worked for clients across a variety of industries such as consumer products and medical devices. He has a solid understanding of sensing, actuation and safety technology for automated systems. He has worked on designing and building machines for new processes as well as working on process improvement projects, and also worked alongside product development teams to ensure products are well designed, with manufacturing in mind.
TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION – Having previously worked at a Technology Innovation consultancy in the UK, Tarou has broad experience working with clients across the product and process innovation lifecycle. He has experience conducting technology landscaping, early stage concept development and manufacturing reinvention programmes to assist companies identify and develop new opportunities for product and process innovation.
ENGINEERING REQUIREMENTS MANAGEMENT & DESIGN CONTROL – Tarou has experience leading the development of engineering requirements, including formal documentation/processes such as User Requirements Specification (URS), Design Specification, Failure Modes and Effects Analysis (FMEA) and development and documentation of associated risk control methods.
CAD – Tarou is a proficient user of 3D CAD for mechanical design and development of drawings. He has completed the SolidWorks CAD Design Professional certification (CSWP).
CONSULTANCY – Tarou has a proven ability to work alongside clients to deliver projects on time and on budget. He has a clear and concise written and verbal communication style and has an excellent sense for understanding the client’s needs, translating them into objective requirements and consequently delivering quality engineering solutions.

SolidWorks Professional Mechanical Design

Caliber Design has experience in the Biofuel industry

Caliber has experience in the Aerospace industry

PERSONAL STATEMENT

With the current rapid pace of advancement in technology we are entering an unprecedented era of technological development, which presents us with vast opportunities, but also stark challenges. I firmly believe that the engineering profession has a pivotal role to play in ensuring that these opportunities are harnessed in the safest and most productive way, with a clear focus on enhancing human well-being and environmental sustainability.

I’ve always been driven by a passion for technology innovation and get deep satisfaction from working on developing new products or processes that have a real impact to people. After a stint working overseas and having benefited greatly from the opportunities New Zealand has offered me; I’m excited to contribute my skills and experience to advancing our innovation capabilities and helping our engineering industry reach its full potential!

Project Experience

Machine Design

Design and integration of a film application process as part of a sectional garage door forming and assembly line. Designed a machine frame, product changeover and film threading up process, including servo and pneumatic actuated components.

BRITISH HOME CARE MANUFACTURER

Process Improvement & Machine Design

Assisted with the commissioning of a first-of-kind machine manufacturing a unique folded paper towel product. Worked on site in Italy running a process improvement programme, increasing production speed by 50% and reduced downtime/wastage by 20% over 3 months. Assisted with shifting of production from Italy to the UK including system rebuild and site acceptance testing.

BABCOCK / NZ DEFENCE FORCE

Project Management

Seconded to the NZDF Capability Branch as a Project Manager, working on the introduction into service of equipment for the Royal New Zealand Navy. Responsible for coordinating integrated logistics support (ILS) and the development of equipment management policy for maritime assets such as the Navy’s REMUS Autonomous Underwater Vehicle and the Littoral Manoeuvre Craft.

Respiratory Humidifier Production Line

Worked in conjunction with product development teams (mechanical, software, electronics) to develop an assembly and test process for a new product – a hospital respiratory humidifier (electronic medical device with PCB, power supply, user interface, heater). Designed, built and commissioned/validated key sections of the production line and developed operating/maintenance procedures.

PULPAC

Revolutionary Dry Moulded Fibre Process

Worked to commercialise a novel newly patented process for converting renewable plant fibre into sustainable packaging and products, made through a dry moulding process at high temperature and pressure. Designed tooling, worked on process development, machine integration, and helped customers to identify opportunities for replacing single use plastics with this more sustainable product. Developed a detailed operational/capital cost model to allow potential customers to develop a business case for investing in the technology.

CALIBER CHALLENGE

2025

Winners of the 2025 Caliber Challenge showed outstanding engineering skill, commercial acumen, and teamwork under pressure. In just 4.5 hours, their team tackled a mystery brief, developed a concept, built a business case, and pitched to a panel of “investors.”

GOOD BUGGER AWARD

August 2025

Tarou received outstanding feedback from a senior stakeholder on a high-stakes project, who described him as “one of, if not the best project managers” they’d worked with. In a complex and often ambiguous environment, Tarou’s calm approach, clear communication, and focus on delivery stood out. He was recognised for seeking to understand what needed to be done, navigating challenges professionally, and delivering high-quality work on time.