# John Kuwata > Engineering Product Lead | Mechanical Design Professional | Effective Operations Engineer Location: Emeryville, California, United States Profile: https://flows.cv/johnkuwata Hi, I'm JJ Kuwata! My history of success is due to my ability to achieve considerable organizational impact through my engineering design work, implementing new processes and procedures, and my genuine enthusiasm to improve both my coworker’s and end user’s day to day lives. I have considerable experience throughout the entire product development cycle; concept ideation, rapid prototype development, V&V testing, manufacturing planning and product launch. I enjoy improving efficiency in our manufacturing processes for both production and R&D as well as the transitions within the different phases in the product development cycle. I excel in rapid prototyping processes; technical drafting, laser cutting, assembly/manufacturability, and sewing. These technical skills enable me to drive innovation and maintain competitive advantages across leading markets. Tech-savvy; possessing natural intuition of good mechanical UX and deliver effective problem resolution. Furthermore, I am excel in engaging with cross-departmental teams required throughout the product development processes. In addition to all that, I can build strong credibility and trust among senior management and internal customers to meet end-user needs. My skill set encompasses a wide array of software & platforms: - Software: SolidWorks | EagleCAD | Photoshop | Illustrator | CorelDraw | QuickBooks | MS Access - Fabrication: 3D Printing | Laser Cutting/Engraving | PCB Fabrication | Basic Machine Shop - Languages: Arduino | MATLAB Connect with me today to get to know me better and discuss how I can make my mission your mission and advance the shared goals of your company! ## Work Experience ### Operations Engineer @ suitX, Inc. (dba Ottobock Bionic Exoskeletons) Jan 2020 – Present | Emeryville, California, United States Develop and maintain internal enterprise resource planning software. Develop and support searchable database tracking purchase orders, and receipt logs to efficiently close out purchase orders. Utilize QR codes to eliminate redundant data entry and reduce human errors while improving quality of data. Deliver granular reports and analysis of internal operations KPIs, such as inventory levels, issued work orders, received components, and open purchase orders. Facilitate weekly meeting with COO, CCO, and CEO to provide weekly summary of cross departmental tasks to eliminate any assumptions or miscommunications between departments. Identify inefficient or error prone processes and consult with operations team to develop robust procedures for elimination of major issues. Below are the examples of achievements that I brought within this job role: • Maintained suitX operation’s team performance by automating many of the responsibilities of departing manufacturing VP and supply chain manager. • Automated flow of data analysis and collection by customizing internal enterprise resource planning system. • Designed and implemented custom enterprise resource planning system, with estimated $100K annual savings. • Spearheaded efforts to improve cross departmental transparency and systematize multi-departmental tasks. • Synchronized operation’s schedule and engineering development schedule, with estimated $50K annual savings and significant reduction of product shortages. • Streamlined receipt closing procedure implemented by accountant. ### Mechanical Design | Engineering Product Lead @ suitX, Inc. (dba Ottobock Bionic Exoskeletons) Jan 2019 – Present In my most recent job role, I steer the design and development of the backX product line using CAD, photoshop, and my trusty sewing machine. Understand the effective ways of identifying essential components required to overcome adoption barriers for new and disruptive technologies. Effectively determine deliverables and produce granular timelines for VPs of sales, operations, and engineering. Foster strong communication among stakeholders to reduce project timelines within reason and provide sense of ownership in the timeline decision process. Build and test prototypes to measure functionality and effectiveness. Conduct V&V testing through design and development of test jigs to verify product specifications. Create and maintain documentation for internal operations, manufacturing, and customer-facing materials. Perform failure analysis and review solutions in collaboration with the engineering and manufacturing team for rapid production cuts. Some of my prominent achievements for this role are mentioned below: • 20% reduction in the BOM for one of our top selling products • 40% reduction in BOM for textile components on the backX V3 through the simplification of textile stack up • Over a 50% reduction in textile pricing with the implementation of a new tech pack structure and sampling procedure • Developed design for manufacturing procedure for textile components, reducing overall pricing as well as 50% reduction in time between first samples to production launch. • Designed some of the most advanced and comfortable human-machine interfaces within industrial exoskeleton industry. • Greatly improved user experience with backX V3 by eliminating extraneous adjustments and simplifying how adjustments are performed ### Mechanical Design Engineer @ suitX, Inc. (dba Ottobock Bionic Exoskeletons) Jan 2017 – Jan 2019 | Emeryville, CA Conceptualize and develop innovative solutions to address and incorporate customer feedback and requests. Leverage in-house machine shops and 3D printers to create rapid prototypes. Efficient at performing and documenting user testing of prototypes and products. Model structural performance of assemblies and parts using Solidworks Simulation FEA. Negotiate with vendors to reach competitive quotes for custom and off-the-shelf parts. Generate weekly report of prototypes tested. My prominent accomplishments for this role are mentioned below: • Cut BOM cost by 30% by improving the DFM for the shoulderX’s made to spec. components • Eliminate unwanted user contact with device by developing biomimetic linkage system inspired by scapulothoracic joint. • Coordinated with industrial exoskeleton engineering team to identify and select additional features to add to the next version of the shoulderX ### Invention Lab Super User @ Citris Invention Lab Jan 2016 – Jan 2017 | Berkeley, California My primary responsibilities in this job were to facilitate students on ways of using lab's 3D printers, laser cutters, vinyl cutters, and PCB mill. I taught basic rapid prototype skills, including soldering, part selection, and basic shop equipment usage. I followed strict safety guidelines during use of equipment by all users. I educated users through failure mode analysis and brainstorm feasible solutions appropriate to users' prototyping abilities. My take away and accomplishments during this tenure include: • Guided students throughout whole design process, from conception of ideas to development of prototypes. • Gained an appreciation for cross disciplinary groups in developing innovative projects and solutions • Gained an understanding of different ways individuals think and how to facilitate all individuals to share their ideas ### Research Assistant with Kaufer Lab @ UC Berkeley Jan 2014 – Jan 2016 | Berkeley Automated the process of monitoring individual mice while in group housing for distinct characteristics such as food/liquid consumption and distance ran. Accomplished by troubleshooting and improving the small animal identification automated system (SAIDAS). Devised and executed electromechanical system to deliver consistent and precise blunt force trauma, while gathering high-resolution measurements. Provided the skill set of producing rapid prototypes through utilization of PCB mills, 3D printers, laser cutters, and basic shop equipment to help develop equipment for new experiments. Additionally, I communicated reasons for unsustainable nature of design concepts and offered substitutes to achieve desired goals Discovered and resolved cause of slow RFID tag read rate, stalling completion of SAIDAS. My accomplishments during this tenure includes: • Trained research team through hardware development process. • Trained research team on failure mode analysis • Automatically collected and stored measurable behaviors through development of animal behavior tracking system. • Gained appreciation and deep comprehension of products' form language and significance of user engagement. ### Research Assistant with Paulos Lab @ UC Berkeley Jan 2015 – Jan 2015 | Berkeley * Research was focused on developing toys with varying sensors and endearing user interfaces such that children could explore the "invisible" part of their world (temperature, velocity, etc) * Guided through part of the product design process from concept ideation and rough sketches, to designing 3D models and rapid prototypes * Developed an appreciation and understanding of the products' form language and the impact of how the user interacts with my products * Created a 3D printed, waterproof electrical housing which was in the form of a toy boat cabin *Utilized 3D printers and laser cutters for most of the prototype fabrication ## Education ### Bachelor of Science (BS) in Bioengineering and Biomedical Engineering University of California, Berkeley ## Contact & Social - LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/jkuwata --- Source: https://flows.cv/johnkuwata JSON Resume: https://flows.cv/johnkuwata/resume.json Last updated: 2026-04-05