QUALIFICATIONS
- BE Mechatronics (Hons) – 2020
SOFTWARE
Mechanical CAD Software
- Fusion (Autodesk)
- Inventor (Autodesk)
- SolidWorks (Dassault)
PDM/PLM Software
- Inventor Vault (Autodesk)
Analysis Tools
- Excel (for numerical method analysis)
- Inventor Nastran (Autodesk)
ADDITIONAL LANGUAGES
- Afrikaans
Neil Swartz
MECHANICAL ENGINEER
Skills Overview
Neil is a mechatronic design engineer specialising in product design and development. He has a broad experience in design conception, prototyping, installation, and maintenance, ensuring that designs are not only functional but also easy to build and maintain. Neil is a good communicator, making complex ideas accessible to diverse teams and stakeholders. He is a natural leader and a fast learner, and quickly integrates into any team environment.
- SHEET METAL DESIGN – Neil has extensive experience designing a diverse range of sheet metal components within the conveyor systems and machine design industries. He has designed hundreds of parts, including factory assembly jigs, large machine trims and covers, as well as intricate brackets and support structures. His expertise in innovative design allows him to develop simple, efficient solutions to complex engineering challenges.
- PROTOTYPING – Neil has contributed to multiple projects where his designs have progressed to the prototype stage, which he has personally built with his team. This hands-on experience enables him to efficiently build prototypes, quickly identifying areas for improvement, whilst also equipping him to anticipate potential design challenges in the initial design phase.
- PROJECT ENGINEERING – Neil has experience leading a range of projects, including a mid-sized factory upgrade and an R&D product improvement initiative. He naturally takes the lead in identifying key tasks required for project completion, establishing budget estimates, and assigning the most suitable resources for each task. Throughout the project, Neil effectively tracks progress and maintains clear communication with stakeholders, ensuring a smooth and timely delivery.
- WRITTEN AND ORAL COMMUNICATION – Neil often serves as the primary communication point for the projects he works on, liaising with clients, company partners, suppliers, and internal teams. He has led key meetings, including BIM coordination sessions with Vanderlande and AECOM, where he navigates complex challenges and helps determine potential solutions.
- DESIGN ANALYSIS – Neil has experience analyzing a wide range of mechanical and electrical designs. He has successfully identified and rectified design flaws by collaborating with colleagues and performing detailed calculations and analyses.
PERSONAL STATEMENT
There are few things that I enjoy more than completing a design with a good group of fellow engineers. I love bouncing ideas, trying to find creative solutions to the problem at hand, and landing on something brilliant.
I have had opportunity to travel to local and international sites to work with various teams, installing the machines that I have designed, and have always enjoyed working with stakeholders from all disciplines and positions. Though I am a mechanical design specialist, I have a degree in mechatronic engineering and experience in automation and electronics, making me especially valuable in multidisciplinary teams.
In my free time I love running, hiking and rock climbing; pretty much anything that involves pushing myself in a beautiful place, with the people I love.
Project Experience

TILLEY & PATTON
SolidWorks Design, Modelling & Drawings
Translated architectural references and specification drawings into engineered components. Delivered detailed sheetmetal, weldment, multibody part, and timber designs. Created a master sketch of the overall structure and developed multiple 3D sketches to generate accurate weldments and assemblies.

PLASTICS COMPANY
Automation Line Design & Integration
Ideation and design of an automation line using IAI robotic and SMC pneumatics. Deep dive into robot specifications with load and speed calculations, and motion analysis. Calculating the timing diagram of an entire automation line to ensure no robot clashes. Design of a modular indexing conveyor and part specific registers. Designed robot to frame mounting and end of arm to robot mounting with stress analysis. Risk analysis and anchor calculations done.

FREEZING SOLUTIONS LIMITED
Structural Design of Warehouse-Sized Blast Freezer
Responsible for the structural design of a large-scale blast freezer, starting with minimum specification requirements provided by a structural engineer. The project involved extensive use of SolidWorks weldments, incorporating a master sketch to control design dependencies and streamline assembly. Challenges included resolving fit-up issues and coordinating design constraints across interconnected components. FEA was conducted on key members to ensure structural performance and compliance with requirements.
CHALMERS ORGANICS
Factory Upgrade
Managed various contractors in a Chalmers Organics factory upgrade for the introduction of new tofu making machinery. This required machine installation plans, new steam generation, water supply, electrical connections, plumbing, room reflooring and retrofitting and more. Various options were found for each job, the best contractors identified and tasks and timelines managed.

Minions Ride
Completed the stress calculations and finite element analysis of the structural members of the Minions ride for universal studios Japan.