# Gavin Dupries

> Technical Sales Engineer | Bridging the Gap Between Product Engineering & Customer Needs | Manufacturing Engineer Turned Technical Sales Partner | Turning Complex Specs into Scalable, Customer-Ready Solutions

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, United States
Profile: https://flows.cv/gavindupries

Too many technically sound products stall before launch; not because they lack engineering excellence, but because the customer’s voice was missing from the development process. In industries like semiconductors and electronic manufacturing, the gap between engineering and customer context can lead to misaligned specs, costly rework, and delayed adoption. I've seen how this happens from the inside, and now I'm making it my mission to close that gap.

👋 I’m Gavin, a Manufacturing Engineer turned Customer-Facing Engineer with a passion for solving real-world technical challenges with the end user in mind. After years leading cross-functional projects across design, assembly, and process optimization, I’m now transitioning into Technical Sales, Field Applications, or Customer Success Engineering roles—because I know engineering value doesn’t stop on the production floor.

Here’s how I bring engineering and customers closer together:

1. Process Optimization: Doubled assembly line throughput and unlocked $3M+ in new sales by streamlining production workflows and removing critical bottlenecks using lean principles.
2. Hands-On Prototyping & Design: Created 3D CAD prototypes and custom fixtures that reduced build time, improving delivery speed and saving $50K+ annually in labor and material costs.
3. Customer-Centered Problem Solving: Transformed operator feedback into product upgrades that boosted system reliability, cut service calls, and contributed to $150K+ in new customer contracts.

My background spans manufacturing, mechanical design, and product development, but what sets me apart is my ability to communicate complex ideas clearly, collaborate cross-functionally, and deliver value in technical, customer-facing conversations.

📩 If you’re a hiring manager or sales leader looking for someone who speaks both the engineering and customer languages fluently. I’d love to connect. Let’s talk about how I can help your team accelerate product adoption, shorten sales cycles, and turn technical complexity into customer confidence.

## Work Experience
### Product Designer & Manufacturing Engineer @ Casework 38
Jan 2023 – Jan 2025 | San Rafael, California, United States
38 Degrees is a high-end custom millwork company specializing in residential cabinetry design, fabrication, and installation across California.

I was responsible for leading the full design-to-production workflow for custom cabinetry projects—aligning client needs with engineering execution, improving internal systems, and driving project profitability.

1. Translating Customer Needs into Scalable Designs: Partnered directly with clients to design and present custom kitchen solutions using Microvellum and Fusion 360, ensuring both aesthetic alignment and manufacturing feasibility.

2. Improving Workflow Efficiency: Created a batch labeling and production system to streamline manufacturing flow, reducing rework and improving on-time delivery rates, supporting over $100K in additional revenue capacity.

3. Driving Software & CAD Standardization: Led the adoption of Microvellum across design operations and established definitive shop-wide CAD standards, which shortened design cycles and improved team collaboration.

4. End-to-End Project Execution: Quoted, scoped, and managed full project lifecycles—overseeing scheduling, budgeting, and staff supervision to meet client expectations and internal margin goals.

5. Optimizing Operational Systems: Recommended and implemented new design tools to improve engineering speed and accuracy, contributing to reduced production delays and enhanced customer satisfaction.

### Senior Manufacturing Engineer @ Benchmark
Jan 2021 – Jan 2023 | Concord, California, United States
Benchmark provides engineering and manufacturing solutions to the electronics, semiconductor, and industrial sectors, delivering precision assemblies and high-reliability components.

I was responsible for leading end-to-end manufacturing improvements that boosted assembly efficiency, enhanced vendor collaboration, and supported customer communication on production quality and design changes.

1. Doubling Throughput & Driving Revenue Growth: Spearheaded a 3-month cross-functional project that doubled assembly output, eliminated key bottlenecks, and contributed to $3M+ in new sales through lean manufacturing and time studies.

2. Optimizing Clean Line Production: Reduced WIP packaging by 50% in the clean line area and improved BOMs, MWI’s, and SOPs in ERP systems—leading to an additional $150K+ in throughput capacity.

3. Supporting Cross-Functional Customer Collaboration: Led make-buy evaluations with shop teams and suppliers, reviewed routings and prints, and submitted SNFs to communicate key changes to customer-facing production processes.

4. Owning Engineering Quality and MRB Oversight: Managed the Material Review Board process, determined corrective action on nonconforming parts, and submitted SPS documentation to support customer decisions on out-of-spec components.

5. Fixture Design & Prototyping: Used SolidWorks to develop custom fixture upgrades that improved production safety and performance; applied DMAIC methodology to scale a cleanroom assembly line.

### Manufacturing Engineer @ PAC Machinery
Jan 2019 – Jan 2021 | San Rafael, California, United States
PAC Machinery designs and manufactures packaging systems, including sealers, baggers, and custom automation equipment used across industrial and commercial markets.

I was responsible for improving assembly efficiency, integrating customer feedback into product upgrades, and leading design changes that increased production value and improved system performance.

1. Boosting Productivity & Sales: Designed new assembly line structures, fixtures, and workstations that doubled packaging machine throughput—driving $50K+ in added annual sales through improved workflow efficiency.

2. Applying Customer Feedback to Product Development: Collaborated with operators and end-users to upgrade pneumatic actuators and K-series models, enhancing performance, reliability, and ease of use.

3. Leading Component Redesign & Line Setup: Re-engineered critical parts of the PT Impulse Sealer, including pneumatic jaw systems, and led the physical setup of a new manufacturing line from scratch.

4. Streamlining BOM & Prototyping Systems: Managed ERP-integrated BOMs and CAD systems, implemented SLA/FDM 3D printing for rapid prototyping, and supported continuous design iteration.

5. Conducting Root Cause & Failure Analysis: Investigated production issues, led repair builds, and implemented ECOs to reduce recurring failures and support long-term product reliability.

### Product Design Engineer and CNC Programmer @ 38 Degrees North Latitude Builders, Inc.
Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 | San Francisco Bay Area
High-end custom millwork solutions for residential and commercial projects across California.

I was responsible for automating CNC operations, training production staff, and improving machining workflows to increase throughput, quality, and customer delivery timelines.

1. Driving Operational Efficiency & Team Performance: Trained and supported a team of 4 technicians through live demonstrations and custom technical guides—boosting production efficiency and supporting a $25M+ project pipeline.

2. Automating CNC Cabinet Manufacturing: Spearheaded CNC automation for a large-scale wood cabinet factory, collaborating with 5 engineers to streamline machining for a high-end commercial building project.

3. Implementing CNC Software & Hardware: Installed and configured CNC software to run WEEKE Vantage 200 machines, improving programming accuracy and reducing cycle time.

4. Accelerating Prototyping with 3D Printing: Designed and fabricated 3D-printed components across multiple projects, enabling rapid prototyping and functional testing.

5. Supporting Continuous Improvement: Contributed to ongoing shop floor optimizations by applying lean thinking and adapting workflows to meet evolving client and production needs.

### Manufacturing Engineering Intern @ Fresenius Medical Care North America
Jan 2017 – Jan 2017 | San Francisco Bay Area
Fresenius Medical Care is a global leader in dialysis products and services, supporting patients through advanced medical technologies and high-volume manufacturing environments.

I was responsible for supporting the redesign of production workflows and equipment to improve process flow, reduce inefficiencies, and contribute to early-stage prototyping in a regulated environment.

1. Collaborating on Production Line Redesign: Partnered with the Hemodialysis (HD) engineering team to revamp a monitor assembly line, enhancing layout, efficiency, and ergonomics.

2. Prototyping Custom Equipment: Designed and 3D printed key components for new monitor carts that improved the transport of unfinished materials across the shop floor.

3. Streamlining Workstation Layouts: Conducted detailed time studies and consolidated workstations from 12 to 8, significantly improving flow and operator efficiency on the production line.

4. Contributing to Medical Manufacturing Readiness: Gained exposure to FDA-regulated environments, design for manufacturability, and the role of lean processes in healthcare product delivery.

### Mechanical Design Engineer @ Haas Automation, Inc.
Jan 2016 – Jan 2017 | Chico, California Area
HAAS Automation is one of the largest builders of CNC machine tools in the world, providing precision manufacturing systems for a wide range of industrial sectors.

As part of a 5-engineer capstone team, I was responsible for designing and prototyping an automated CNC feeding system to improve material handling, reduce manual labor, and increase production efficiency.

1. Designing CNC Automation Systems: Contributed to the development of an automated stock-loading system for HAAS lathes—supporting storage and delivery of aluminum, plastic, and steel components.

2. Driving Collaborative Decision-Making: Provided key input on motor sizing, concept design, and rack-and-pinion mechanics to reduce weight, cut costs, and improve system durability.

3. Validating Designs with Simulation: Used SOLIDWORKS Simulation and FEA to test stress and strain across moving components, ensuring design tolerances and system integrity under real-world loads.

4. Bridging Design with Functionality: Applied engineering principles to create solutions that were manufacturable, cost-effective, and scalable—setting the stage for future productization.

### Construction Engineering Intern @ Dutra
Jan 2015 – Jan 2015 | San Francisco Bay Area
The Dutra Group provides integrated marine construction, dredging, and aggregate production services to public and private clients throughout the U.S.

I was responsible for supporting the pre-construction and execution phases of heavy civil infrastructure projects—assisting with cost estimation, vendor sourcing, and site inspections.

1. Performing Technical Estimations: Reviewed bid documents to conduct material takeoffs and estimated costs across rebar, steel, concrete, and equipment needs.

2. Coordinating Subcontractor Quotes: Sourced materials and labor pricing from subcontractors, improving bidding accuracy and contributing to project cost planning.

3. Conducting Site Inspections: Verified delivery and placement of materials (e.g., pilings, gravel, fill) against CAD plans and contract specifications through routine job site visits.

4. Building Cross-Functional Awareness: Gained early exposure to construction project cycles, field operations, and the relationship between engineering design and site execution.


## Education
### Bachelor of Engineering (B.E.) in Mechanical Engineering
California State University, Chico


## Contact & Social
- LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/gavindupries

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Source: https://flows.cv/gavindupries
JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/gavindupries/resume.json
Last updated: 2026-04-13