Andreas Schmid

Hands-on Mechanical Systems Engineer | Owning Hardware from Concept to Validation

Oberentfelden, Aargau, Switzerland

About

I am a hands-on mechanical systems engineer focused on owning complex hardware from early concept through physical validation. My work spans design, prototyping, testing, and de-risking mechanical systems for real-world operation. I combine deep technical ownership with engineering leadership, setting direction and making trade-offs under time, cost, and performance constraints. I have led small engineering teams, built full-scale prototypes myself, and contributed to patent-pending solutions. My experience spans energy, mobility, experimental research, and top-level motorsport. I make sure mechanical designs actually work in the real world.

Experience

  • GE Vernova ()
    • Research and Development Test Engineer
      Feb 2026 - Present · 8 mos

    • Mechanical Design Engineer Research & Development
      Aug 2025 - Feb 2026 · 7 mos

      • Own and develop mechanical drive systems for high-voltage switchgear, collaborating closely with product specialists and the Indian development team. • Adapt, optimize, and validate drives for customer requirements, improving cost structures, reliability, and production efficiency. Outcome: Delivered robust and validated mechanical systems, ensuring reliable operation of critical high-voltage switchgear.

  • Senior Systems Engineer | Product Innovation at ZF Group | Expert in CAD & Rapid Prototyping at ZF Group
    Aug 2022 - Jun 2025 · 2 yrs 11 mos

    • Owned end-to-end development of complex mechanical systems, from early concept through hands-on prototyping and functional validation. • Led a small engineering team, setting technical direction and making key design trade-offs under time and cost constraints. Outcome: Delivered a full working prototype for the trucking industry in under 12 months, resulting in 4 patent-pending inventions.

  • Purdue University (4 yrs 4 mos)
    • Operations Engineer, Zucrow High-Speed Compressor Research Laboratory
      Feb 2020 - Aug 2022 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      • Owned setup, calibration, and operation of high-speed compressor test rigs within the world’s largest academic propulsion laboratory. • Designed and fabricated custom tooling and test hardware supporting high-risk experimental programs. Outcome: Enabled safe, repeatable operation of complex propulsion test systems under extreme mechanical and thermal conditions.

    • Composites Equipment Engineer, CMSC Purdue
      May 2018 - Feb 2020 · 1 yr 10 mos

      • Owned design, setup, and operation of composite manufacturing equipment for prototype and test hardware. • Designed composite parts and tooling, supporting rapid iteration from CAD to manufactured components. Outcome: Enabled reliable fabrication of composite prototype hardware through hands-on control of design and manufacturing.

  • Senior Design Engineer / Technical Lead — ByKOLLES Racing (WEC) at ByKOLLES Racing
    Feb 2015 - Apr 2017 · 2 yrs 3 mos

    • Led mechanical, composite, and tooling design for a top-level endurance racing program under extreme performance constraints. • Provided hands-on engineering support from design office to racetrack, including live problem-solving during race events. Outcome: Contributed to competitive WEC results through performance-driven design and rapid decision-making under pressure.

  • Design Engineer at Bosch Thermotechnik GmbH
    Mar 2011 - Feb 2015 · 4 yrs

    • Designed ORC and CHP systems for industrial energy applications. • Supported production, assembly, and structured root-cause analysis in an industrial environment. Outcome: Built a strong foundation in industrial-scale mechanical system design and engineering rigor.