Mechanical EngineeringWhen You Need It
Most startups and inventors do not need a full-time engineer on payroll. They need the right engineer at the right time -- someone who can move fast, work within a budget, and hand off production-ready work. That is what I do.
Start the ConversationCapped estimates. No surprises.
Every new project starts with a capped estimate -- a fixed maximum cost to reach a defined milestone. I do not guarantee a finished product at that milestone, but I do guarantee you will not go over the cap without your approval.
When we hit the milestone, you have a clear decision: accept what has been completed, scope the next phase, or walk away with everything produced so far. No sunk cost pressure, no surprise invoices.
This structure works especially well for first-time clients and early-stage projects where requirements are still evolving. You get real engineering work done without committing to an open-ended contract.
Step 1 — Scope the milestone
We define what "done" looks like for the first phase -- a manufacturable CAD model, a set of drawings, a working prototype -- and set a cost cap for getting there.
Step 2 — Work on a time-and-materials basis
I bill hourly against the cap. You can see exactly where the hours are going and redirect at any point. Nothing gets done in the dark.
Step 3 — Decide at the milestone
When we reach the milestone or the cap, you review what has been produced and decide what comes next. Simple as that.
The agility of a startup engineer. The precision of an aerospace background.
Part-time without the overhead
A full-time mechanical engineer with benefits costs $90,000--$130,000 per year before you get a single drawing. A contract engineer costs you only the hours you actually need. For most early-stage projects, that difference is the project.
Fast pivots, no committee
When requirements change -- and they always do -- I can pivot the same day. No project manager, no scope-change process, no waiting for a team lead to approve a direction. Just engineering.
Production-grade work
I have designed production tooling for an aerospace defense contractor and an electronics manufacturer. The same rigor that goes into safety-critical hardware goes into your project.
A tolerance catch that prevented a production failure
On a project for an electronics manufacturer, I was reviewing a slider brake assembly that held back a two-ton load. Through GD&T analysis, I identified a tolerance overlap in the brake component that would have caused one of two outcomes in production: the brake would not fit the assembly at all, stalling the line -- or a technician would force it into place, introducing stress on the surrounding structure and creating a latent failure risk under load.
Neither outcome was acceptable. The fix happened at the drawing stage, before a single part was cut. That is what tolerance analysis is for.
Catching a problem on paper costs an hour. Catching it in production costs a program.
If you have an idea stuck in your head and want to hold it in your hands, I can help.
Startups
You have a concept and a funding runway. You need engineering hours, not a full-time hire.
Inventors
You have a sketch or a mental model. You need someone to turn it into a manufacturable design.
Manufacturers
You have a production problem or a new product line. You need contract capacity without adding headcount.
Product companies
You have an existing product that needs a design refresh, a cost-reduction pass, or a DFM review before the next production run.
Defense & aerospace suppliers
You need production tooling, fixtures, or documentation that meets tight tolerances and traceability requirements.
Anyone with a hardware problem
If it is a mechanical engineering problem, reach out. The worst I can say is it is outside my scope.
Tell me what you are trying to build.
A short description is enough to get started. I will respond within one business day with honest feedback on scope, timeline, and cost.
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