Andrew Harlan

Director of Engineering at Myomo, Inc.

Greater Boston

About

Technical leader and electromechanical engineering director with 15+ years delivering medical device and robotic systems from R&D to commercial scale. Proven track record scaling engineering teams, reducing COGS through design/manufacturing transformation, and leading multi-year, $10MM+ product programs. Deep expertise in design of mechatronic systems, product design, biosignal acquisition, usability, DFM/DFA, and regulated development environments (ISO13485). I am passionate about bringing research-grade technology through productization and into the hands of users. I find the intersection of robotics, product design, and usability to be uniquely challenging and rewarding.

Experience

  • Myomo, Inc. (11 yrs 4 mos)
    • Director of Engineering
      May 2019 - Present · 7 yrs 2 mos

      -Direct R&D and sustaining engineering teams, aligning technical roadmap with commercial and regulatory milestones. -Architect orthotic, actuation, electrical, and sensing systems -Drive innovation in lightweight structures, compact actuation, high density sEMG arrays, deformable 3d printed structures, and human-robot interaction -Maintain team budget, tool acquisition, lab space, and IP portfolio -Manage external hardware contractors and vendors -Coach direct reports for technical and professional development -Reviewer for mechanical and electrical technical readiness at all stages of development -Contribute to technical work when tactically needed

    • Director of Mechanical Engineering
      Apr 2018 - Present · 8 yrs 3 mos

      -Led the development of a pediatric variant focused on scalable bracing and ultra-compact actuation -Grew mechanical team to increase throughput and strategically diversify talent pool -Developed workflows and automation tools to manage priorities, communication, and documentation

    • Principal Mechanical Engineer
      Mar 2015 - Apr 2018 · 3 yrs 2 mos

      -Responsible for design and integration of entire suite of MyoPro powered myoelectric exoskeletons. Work includes design and engineering of: *High performance, weight-efficient actuation and transmissions *New biocompatible EMG sensor heads with significantly improved performance over previous generations *Components formed with injection molding, CNC machining, advanced digital manufacturing techniques, and traditional orthotic handworking techniques -Requirements development and new concept brainstorming and proof-of-concept design -Testing all designs to validate performance -Interfacing with prototype shops and transitioning designs to contract manufacturing -Converting industrial design concept shells into volume-ready moldable parts.

  • Vecna (7 yrs 7 mos)
    • Director of Mechanical Engineering
      Jan 2014 - Jan 2015 · 1 yr 1 mo

      -Directed department vision, managed 10 mechanical engineers across all product lines and engaged multi-functional counterparts and executive team to align focus -Fostered technical excellence through coaching, training, management of resources, and talent acquisition for mechanical engineering and Hardware QA teams. Built a career development path for the ME team -Served as final technical gate evaluator for mechanical engineering aspects across all products -Facilitated interface between engineering team and on-site machine shop

    • Senior Mechanical Engineer
      Jul 2012 - Jan 2015 · 2 yrs 7 mos

      Lead engineer for hardware design of Vecna's QC Bot platform. -Responsible for technical success of hardware platform as a whole -Led development of system architecture, requirements, and overall concept design through three full design iterations. -Designed navigation sensor suite and traction subsystem and validated with navigation software team -Designed hardware user interfaces including touch points, interaction peripherals, and 360 lighting for state and intent feedback -Supervised small team of hardware engineers working on the QC Bot project, conveyed priorities, promoted cross-disciplinary integration during design iterations

    • Mechanical Engineer
      Jul 2007 - Jul 2012 · 5 yrs 1 mo

      Responsible for mechanical design, analysis, and testing of multi-degree-of-freedom robotic systems. -Designed hydraulic circuits as well as custom manifolds, actuators, and reservoirs -Mechanism design of power transmission elements including feedback sensing and integrated strain gauges for force-feedback applications -Structural design and verification using Finite Element Analysis -Designed test plans and measurement hardware to validate subsystems -Drafted parts using ASME Y-14.5 with GD&T control when appropriate -Brought several designs through proof-of-concept phase to prototype

  • Robotics Intern at iRobot
    May 2006 - Sep 2006 · 5 mos

    Designed and executed engineering validation tests for Roomba 600 series, including: optical systems characterization, vibration, drop force, extended temperature, cleaning performance, and behavioral testing

  • Life Management Intern at GE
    May 2005 - Sep 2005 · 5 mos

    Aided GE engineers in the analysis and modeling of several critical F404/414 engine components for structural fatigue and wear, and correlating models with real-world data