Education

2024

Master of Philosophy in Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK

  • Master of Philosophy in Electronic Engineering and Robotics.
  • Research areas: robotics, fluidics, electronics, digital systems design.

2016-2020

Doctor of Philosophy in Engineering (Candidate), The University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK Sep 2016 - Oct 2020

  • Dissertation: Fluidic logic for the design and control of soft robotic systems
  • Supervisor: Prof Adam A. Stokes
  • Research areas: fluidics, robotics, digital systems design.

2016

Master of Science in Physics, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

  • Experimental degree in laser physics.
  • Cavity-enhanced absorption detection of H2S in the near-infrared using a gain-switched frequency comb laser.
  • Subject area: experimental physics, lasers, photonics, atmospheric chemistry, cavity-enhanced absorption spectroscopy.

2015

B.Sc. in Chemical Physics, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland

  • Bachelor of Science (Hons.) with a joint major in Experimental Physics and Physical Chemistry.
  • Subject area: quantum mechanics, solid-state-, astro- and computational physics; physical-,material-, and atmospheric chemistry.

Experience

Jun 2024 - Now

Quality and Commissioning Technician, Tornado Storage Solutions, Edinburgh, UK

Controls & Automation Proficiency

  • Developed a working knowledge of PLC-driven automation, enabling faster troubleshooting and better collaboration with control engineers.
  • Supported troubleshooting and optimisation of PLC-controlled systems in R&D and production environments.

Manufacturing Process Standardisation

  • Led the documentation of work instructions (WIs) and process failure analysis (P-FMEAs) for sub-assembly builds, reducing inefficiencies in manufacturing workflows.
  • Collaborated with mechanical engineering and production teams to ensure seamless assembly and testing of critical components before shipment.

Data-Driven Engineering Insights

  • Developed a closed-loop system linking failure tickets to engineering change requests, improving the tracking of recurring faults and design weaknesses.
  • Developed data analytics metrics to identify failure trends, providing insights that drug design improvements and reduce product failures.

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Process Improvement

  • Worked across engineering production and automation teams to streamline processes and enhance product quality.
  • Facilitated inter-departmental knowledge sharing on automation best practices and failure prevention strategies.

Dec 2023 - Jun 2024 Outlier, Edinburgh, UK (Remote)

AI Project Specialist (Contract)

  • Leaded the training of AI models with human-in-the-loop feedback from prompts and responses.
  • Carefully evaluated and rank responses generated by AI systems, ensuring top-notch quality and efficacy.
  • Applying deep domain expertise in Physics, Mathematics, and Engineering to assess the accuracy and relevance of text produced by AI models.

Jan 2023 - Sep 2023 DCEK Group, Limited, Chicago, USA

Self-Employed Technical Consultant

  • Self-employed technical consultant to deliver high-quality consulting services to clients across various state and local government agencies.
  • Designed electrical and mechanical systems for manufacturing from requirements to prototypes.
  • Managed complex projects from inception to completion.
  • Demonstrated strong entrepreneurial spirit in identifying new opportunities and building client networks.

May 2022 - Sep 2023 Flexible Thinking, LLC, Chicago, USA

Solo Founder

  • I participated in the Y Combinator Startup School for developing zero carbon and self-building additional dwelling units (ADU) to combat the housing shortage and US housing costs.
  • Founded Flexible Thinking and soft-launched a product breakdown structure (PBS) based on the Wikihouse building system.
  • Interview hundreds of clients to establish pain points, bottlenecks, problems and challenges and consult with tiny housing organisations in the greater Chicago area.
  • Developed a design software stack built on OpenSCAD and Python for customer-custom building plans from high-level design requirements compiled down to low-level building blocks.
  • I worked with a local CNC manufacturer to prototype 1/8-scale tiny house plans and designs.

Dec 2021 - May 2022 Edinburgh Instruments, Remote USA

Sales Engineer

  • Spectroscopic solutions expert partaking in proactive customer interactions to promote Edinburgh Instrument’s products.
  • Qualified leads, developed customer interest in instrumentation and actively followed through to closure to meet targets.
  • Liaised with other teams internally, such as working with research & development for a bespoke order or creating technical content with the marketing team.
  • Prepared quotations using Customer Relationship Managerment (CRM) software and updated the sales database weekly.
  • Analysed of the optical spectroscopy market in the Americas to identify growth areas, new applications, and funding trends.

Oct 2020 - Mar 2021 Stealth Mode Startup Company, Edinburgh, UK

Early-Stage Researcher

  • Contributed as a researcher for a startup focusing on designing complex fluidic systems.
  • Developed patented technology with applications in microfluidics (biotech) and industrial hydraulics (robotics).
  • Utilized CAD/CAM for refining prototype systems and iterated designs through rapid manufacturing methods.

Feb 2019 - Mar 2020 Ioma Limited, Ediburgh, UK

Solo Founder

  • I started a company to design fluidic systems.
  • I developed technology for rapidly developing microfluidics for biotechnology.
  • Sold in March 2020.

Academic Research

Jun 2019 - Oct 2020 School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, UK

Post-Doctoral Research Associate

  • Developed a fluidic-controlled system for a hydraulic robotic systems for robotics in nuclear decomissioning environments.
  • Provided systems engineering principles for developing a systems interface based on the Robotic Operating System.
  • Led mechanical engineering design and fabrication, including structural analysis and CAD design/FEM.
  • Prototyped proof-of-concept and ideation using rapid prototyping tools.
  • Disseminated research through internal reports, conference proceedings, and journal publications.

Sep 2016 - May 2019 School of Engineering, The University of Edinburgh, UK

Research Assistant

  • Postgraduate researcher with the Soft Systems Group at the Institute for Micro and Nano Systems at School of Engineering
  • Implemented a pneumatic control architecture to increase the capabilities of soft robotic systems.
  • Focused on the design, build and test of complex robotic system using in-house rapid prototyping methodologies (fused deposition modeling 3D-printing, stereolithography 3D-printing, vector cutting, PCB manufacture).
  • Collaborative work with research associates, academic partners, PhD students from participating and related groups.

Jun 2014 - Aug 2014 Tyndall National Institute, Cork, Ireland

Undergraduate Research Associate (Intern)

  • Designed data acquisition LabVIEW scripts for power-voltage-current analysis.
  • Used pulsed and continuous-wave lasers to determine gain profiles and cavity modes of photonic devices.
  • Developed an experimental setup for the measurement of thermal resistance controlled by LabVIEW with automated scripting graphs to MATLAB.
  • Performed spectral measurements of semiconductor devices in the near-infrared.

Publications

Papers

For the most up-to-date list of publications see Google Scholar.

Patents

Stephen Mahon and Adam Stokes. 2022. Hydraulic Control System, WO 2022/248836 A1, published.