Simon has a wealth of experience in NZ engineering firms, having worked in mechanical design roles for Fisher & Paykel, Compac Sorting Equipment, Advanced Aerospace, and Tru-Test. This experience, coupled with his practical hands-on approach, focus on continuous improvement, and great communication skills, makes Simon the perfect person to lead the design team at Caliber. Simon gives back to the industry through his active involvement in IPENZ.
After a childhood spent pulling things apart, sometimes putting them back together, and building things … a career in engineering was inevitable! As an engineer I find that many off the shelf products, and many aspects of my house, present opportunity for some engineering to improve performance, add functionality or to address flaws in the original design.
I apply a practical, hands-on, design-for-manufacture approach; putting myself in the positions of those who will manufacture, assemble, and use my designs. I strive for continuous improvement by improving the efficiency of processes and supporting my team to work at their full potential.
I was elected to Professional Member of IPENZ in 2006 and served on the Otago Branch and Auckland Branch committees from 2004–2012. I was Chair of Auckland Branch from 2008–2011 and continue to be involved in IPENZ activity by attending Branch events and judging the Arthur Mead Award for the Environment and Sustainability.
- Collaboration / team work
- Communication
- Flexible
- Innovative / creative thinking
- Interpersonal skills
- Listening
- Logical thinking
- Motivated
- Problem solving
- Project management
- Reliable
- Well connected within the engineering community
- Ideation
- Concept development
- Design
- Engineering calculations
- Validation
- Product development
- Certification
- Supplier selection
- Commissioning support
- Prototyping
- Plastic part design and processing
- ERP systems
- ANSYS
- AutoCAD
- Enterprise PDM
- Image manipulation
- Inventor
- JD Edwards (ERP)
- Microsoft Office suite
- ProEngineer
- SOLIDWORKS
- Visi (moulding simulation)
- Visual Basic
- Agriculture
- Automation
- Composites
- Conveyors
- Cooking products
- Marine
- Plastics
- Product
- Production equipment
Project Experience
SERVICE ENGINEERS
Wanganui Waste Water Treatment Plant Upgrade
Designed and detailed the upper portion of a dewatered sludge silo and the structure, cone, cylinder and top section of a dried sludge silo. Worked with client supplied data in various formats to provide layout information for plant and conveyor location.
TRU-TEST
9 Volt Carrybox Energizer
Developed for a niche market, the Value 9V Carrybox energizer met its manufactured cost target and exceeded its quality and performance targets.
PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES LTD
Bar Line
Designed and detailed various forming machines for a cereal bar production line project.
FISHER & PAYKEL
Izona Cooksurface
The result of many years research into electronic control of fan forced gas burners, this flagship product featured burners and controls which retract flush into the glass surface when not in use.
COMPAC
Carton Handling Accessory
One of the many design projects Simon was involved in at Compac Sorting Equipment.