Christopher Kennedy

MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Skills Overview

Christopher is a Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) with broad expertise in mechanical machine design, automation, and robotics. Known for a shop-floor mindset, he designs from the builder’s perspective by bridging the gap between concept and manufacturable reality. Christopher operates confidently as an independent lead on complex, high-pressure projects and brings the same hands-on rigour to every engagement regardless of industry or scale.

• ROBOTIC & AUTOMATED SYSTEM DESIGN – Christopher has hands-on experience designing and delivering multi-axis robotic weld cells and special-purpose automation systems using ABB and FANUC platforms. His work spans full mechanical system design—from robot mounting structures, rotary positioners, tailstocks, and fixtures through to integration, commissioning, and handover. He understands how structural compliance affects process outcomes; on one project, identifying shaft deflection under load allowed redesign to meet weld path accuracy requirements. He works closely with integrators, programmers, and fabrication teams to ensure systems are buildable and perform as intended.

• MACHINE DESIGN & PRODUCTION AUTOMATION EQUIPMENT – Christopher has delivered equipment ranging from dam hoists to production automation machinery. His experience includes gantries, drive systems, conveyors, elevators, lifts, hoisting devices, AGV attachments, and machine guarding. He focuses on what performs reliably in production, engaging fabricators and machine builders early and managing vendors through procurement, build, and commissioning. He designs equipment to perform consistently in real operating environments.

• DESIGN FOR MANUFACTURE & ASSEMBLY (DFMA) – Christopher applies DFMA from the outset, grounded in shop floor experience. He understands how parts are made and assembled under real conditions, and where design decisions create cost or schedule issues. He works closely with fabricators, machinists, and assembly teams, using their input as a core design driver. The result is hardware that is easier to build, more reliable, and more cost-effective to maintain.

• PROJECT ENGINEERING & DELIVERY – Christopher has full project engineering experience, including scope, budget, timeline, and client-facing delivery. At Pow Engineering and Plazmax, he led end-to-end delivery of automated systems, coordinating engineering, procurement, vendors, and assembly teams while maintaining clear client communication. He is comfortable managing scope and schedule pressure and understands that transparency builds trust. He has also managed production scheduling supporting over $40M CAD annual revenue at Timberland Equipment.

• QUALITY ASSURANCE & ENGINEERING DOCUMENTATION – Christopher treats documentation as risk mitigation. At Timberland Equipment, he developed ECN procedures aligned with ISO 9001, introducing a triage system that reduced administrative load while maintaining responsiveness. His experience includes FATs, NCRs, ECNs, commissioning procedures, traceability systems, and work instructions. He produces documentation that is clear, practical, and usable on the floor.

• MECHANICAL ANALYSIS & STRUCTURAL DESIGN – Christopher carries out mechanical analysis using Inventor Nastran FEA alongside first-principles hand calculations. His experience includes bending stress, Von Mises stress, shaft deflection, bolted connections, drivetrain calculations, and fatigue assessment across heavy industrial equipment and robotic structures. He validates designs before manufacture as a professional responsibility and communicates results clearly to support practical decision-making.

Project Experience