Evan Kress

Experience

• 

  Fluitron Inc.

  Jun 1998 - Aug 1998

  Mechanical Engineering Intern

  • Research of materials and purchased parts for diaphragm pump systems• Conversion of existing pencil drawings to 2D AutoCAD files• Conversion of engineering calculations to MathCAD worksheets

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  UCLA Infrared Imaging Laboratory

  Dec 1999 - Jul 2010

  Development Engineer

  • Designed and prototyped:­ - vacuum cryogenic systems­ - precision optical mounts­ - positioning mechanisms e.g. filter-wheels & linear stages­ - kinematic alignment & support structures­ - light-tight enclosures & optical baffling• Major contributions to the following scientific instruments:­ - OSIRIS: OH-Suppressing Infrared Integral Field Spectrograph for the Keck I Telescope­ - GPI: Gemini Planetary Imager for the Gemini South Telescope­ - FLITECAM: First Light Infrared TEst CAMera for the Sofia Observatory Show less

• 

  Nectar Product Development

  Jan 2011 - Jan 2014

  Mechanical Engineer

  • Supported mechanical engineering and prototyping for fast-paced product development studio• Met directly with clients to thoroughly understand project needs• Redesigned and cut costs of support structure for a 73ft x 50ft CPV solar panel array by 20%• Designed tractor-trailer aerodynamic fairing for 5.56% wind drag reduction• Tested and debugged rotating sprinkler for nano-bubble garden watering product line

• 

  WET

  Jan 2014 - Feb 2015

  Product Engineer

  • Designed and tested large-scale water feature technology with a heavy focus on design for manufacturing (DFM), serviceability, and cost reduction• Extensively sourced parts and materials.• Full ownership of projects including upgrades to the GigaBubble™ water shooter device (new nozzle, decorative exterior, waterfall effect) for the Pop project in Shanghai Daning• Developed an attractive sheet metal enclosure with acoustic isolation for fog generation device• Quality control tested the 2-axis Oarsman™ device for Wynn Resorts Ltd.• Utilized SolidWorks with PDM and GD&T (ASME Y14.5) for rigorous documentation• Held demonstrations of product development principles to new hires using LEGO Mindstorms Show less

• 

  STAR Education

  Nov 2015 - Jan 2016

  Robotics Instructor

  Provided robotics instruction utilizing Lego Mindstroms for groups children at the levels of K-5.

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  UCLA Infrared Imaging Laboratory

  Jan 2016 - now

  Research & Development Engineer 3

  • Lead mechanical development of vacuum cryogenic instrumentation for infrared astronomy• Designed and prototyped:­ - vacuum cryogenic systems­ - precision optical mounts­ - positioning mechanisms e.g. filter-wheels & linear stages­ - kinematic alignment & support structures­ - light-tight enclosures & optical baffling• Performed detailed structural, thermal analysis, and Finite Element Analysis (FEA) in SolidWorks Simulation• Coordinated with vendors for sourcing parts and materials. • Analyzed optical surface distortions using SolidWorks Simulation and Python• Sat on review committees for projects from other institutions• Major contributions to the following scientific instruments:­ - IRIS: Infrared Imaging Spectrograph for the upcoming Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT)­ - NIRSPEC: Near-Infrared Spectrograph for the Keck II Telescope Show less