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Senior Hardware Engineer/Industrial Designer - Senior Level
Dan Kanitz
Pittsburgh, PA
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About
I'm a driven product designer who loves to develop disruptive products that align with my personal interests and passions. I believe design is less a profession, more a lifestyle. I've worked with Fortune 500 companies, startups, defense contractors, family-owned businesses and everywhere in-between. My work ethic is the foundation of my career and I take pride in a rare balance of technical and creative skills as well as excellent digital craftsmanship.
• 10+ years developing, designing, and driving products from concept to production
• Experience with turning, milling, injection molding, casting, forging, and numerous other processes
• Sketching, input models, prototyping, mechanical design, surfacing, production-ready 3d modeling
• Branding, marketing, 4+ website launches, market research, client presentations, user manuals, packaging, POP -
Education
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BS in Industrial Design Technology, Focusing in Product Design Industrial DesignThe Art Institue of Pittsburgh2001 - 2005
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Experience
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Industrial Designer - Senior LevelPittsburgh, PAJul 2014 - Present (10 years 4 months)
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Consultant - Product Design and DevelopmentPittsburgh, PA2013 - Present (11 years)• Crafted automotive-style surfacing and solid models for powersports focused gear bags and tablet cases
• Translated sketches and foam models into production-ready CAD files
• Designed for hybrid hard/soft goods construction methods -
Consultant - Product Design and DevelopmentGLSPittsburgh, PA2013 - Present (11 years)• Work closely with LPGA and PGA professional trainers and players to develop technology-based training aids
• Generated mechanical and electrical layout, detailed drawing package and assembly instructions for supplier
• Created several input models and prototypes with functional electronics
• Was awarded partial ownership of company for contributions beyond the owner’s expectations -
Mechanical/Industrial DesignerPittsburgh, PA2011 - Present (13 years)• Instrumental role in designing the company’s first mass-produced manipulator (Used in overseas operations)
• Generated high-level RFP concepts submitted to win several extremely competitive government contracts
• Developed a compact, safe and reliable end effector for breaking suspicious vehicle windows from a distance
• Designed and developed a variety of haptic human-robot interfaces and manipulator/end effector controllers -
Consultant - Product Design and DevelopmentMcChesneytown-Loyalhanna, PA2010 - Present (14 years)• Played major role in brand identity and initial website/product launch
• Currently developing cutting-edge paintball marker technology and firing mechanisms
• Designed reliable, easily maintained entry-level markers to hit strict price point requirements
• Assisted in design and development of revolutionary VetGun parasiticide delivery system
• Created detailed drawing packages for complex machined parts -
Consultant - Product Design and DevelopmentMontreal, Canada2009 - Present (15 years)• Advanced initial product line of 4 paintball markers and 3 loaders from ideation to production in 5 months
• Played integral role in designing and developing a loader with industry-first onboard radar system
• Designed aggressively-styled full head protection embraced by paintball players and field owners
• Designed mask optimized for high-volume major retailers by reducing and simplifying assembly
• Worked closely with international vendors to ensure product functionality and quality standards -
Mechanical/Industrial DesignerPittsburgh, PA2010 - 2011 (1 year)• Market research and trend analysis for auto industry and renewable energy
• Executed mechanical design and managed fabrication of proof-of-concept manufacturing equipment
• Generated high-level concepts and photoreal renderings for client meetings and presentations
• Conceived unique wind turbine component designs to reduce transportation and installation costs
• Design submission for ALCOA Impact Award was personally selected by CEO Klaus Kleinfeld -
Consultant - Product Design and DevelopmentPittsburgh, PA2010 - 2011 (1 year)• Instrumental role in designing the company’s first mass-produced manipulator (Used in overseas operations)
• Generated high-level RFP concepts submitted to win several extremely competitive government contracts
• Developed a compact, safe and reliable end effector for breaking suspicious vehicle windows from a distance
• Designed and developed a variety of haptic human-robot interfaces and manipulator/end effector controllers
• Designed a small, lightweight pocket tool used to disable command lines and trip wires remotely -
Director of Design and EngineeringSmart PartsLatrobe, PA2007 - 2009 (2 years)• Drastically improved interdepartmental communication, accelerated design and development cycles
• Identified new market opportunities and created some of the company’s best-selling product lines
• Directed high-end brand launch, multiple website launches, and several ad campaigns
• Created modular packaging system allowing inventory flexibility, reducing expenses and lead-times
• Developed several patent-pending technologies including mechanisms and programming logic -
Industrial DesignerSmart PartsLatrobe, PA2006 - 2007 (1 year)Sketching / 3D Modeling / Product Design / Packaging / Rendering / Paintball Apparel / POP Design
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Industrial DesignerForaxis Design SolutionsPittsburgh, PA2003 - 2006 (3 years)Detailed CAD Drawings / 3D Modeling / Rendering / Product Design / Prototyping / Model Making
Clients: ALCOA, Confederate Motorcycles, White Box Robotics, PowerCast, chemDAQ -
Industrial Designer2005 - 2006 (1 year)Sketching / 3D Modeling / Rendering / POP Design / Multimedia Advertising
Clients: GNC, OfficeMax, Victoria’s Secret, BP, Quest Outdoors, CarpetOne
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Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@dkanitz, member since 2009
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Following 18
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Followers 28
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