Matt Francis

Solar Systems Engineering, Mechanical Systems Design, Systems Analytics

Phoenix, Arizona, United States

About

Mechanical Systems Engineer with 28 years of product design, manufacturing, and systems engineering experience in renewable energy, aerospace, and healthcare industries. Have successfully implemented robust design solutions to complex engineering problems. Focused on performance to specification, design for manufacturing, and total life cycle cost of products while executing tasks accurately, on time, and within budget. Proficient in Pro/E, SolidWorks, and PVsyst, PlantPredict

Experience

  • Lead Solar Performance Engineer at Omnidian
    May 2022 - Present · 4 yrs 2 mos

  • Fleet Performance Analytics Lead Engineer and Asset Manager at The D. E. Shaw Group
    Apr 2020 - May 2022 · 2 yrs 2 mos

    Asset Manager of 70MWdc in solar assets in Arizona. Creation and commissioning of a custom solar, wind, and storage fleet analytics package. Manage solar and wind resource assessments. Lead solar fleet thermal scanning program. Independent Engineer technical relationship management.

  • First Solar (8 yrs 7 mos)
    • Staff Solar Performance Engineer
      Jun 2019 - Apr 2020 · 11 mos

      Functional management of project development solar performance modeling team. Performance model risk reporting to executive leadership team. Quarterly Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. Utility Scale PV Solar LCOE design and optimization. Independent Engineer technical reviews and management.

    • Manager - Solar Systems Modeling and Analytics
      Apr 2014 - Apr 2020 · 6 yrs 1 mo

      Functional management of project development solar performance modeling team. Performance model risk reporting to executive leadership team. Quarterly Sarbanes-Oxley compliance. 100% retention rate over 5 years.

    • Performance Analyst III
      Mar 2013 - Apr 2014 · 1 yr 2 mos

      Performed analysis and modeling of photovoltaic power plants up to 300 MWac.

  • Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer at Stirling Energy Systems, Inc.
    Apr 2010 - Sep 2011 · 1 yr 6 mos

    Systems engineering, power output analysis, and optical performance of the SunCatcher concentrating solar power (CSP) generation system. Develop and maintain interface controls between major subsystems including electronics, engine, and dish structure. Monitor, diagnose, and correct system performance issues at Maricopa Solar reference power plant. Characterize and optimize dish optics design and optical alignment system in preparation for SunCatcher production.

  • Senior Mechanical Systems Engineer at Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Company
    May 2008 - Apr 2010 · 2 yrs

    Production design engineering lead for a wide range of products including laser initiated ordinance, pyrotechnic delays, explosive bolts, thru-bulkhead initiators, and explosive valves. Responsible for ensuring that product lot acceptance tests meet customer requirements. Designed and developed new product opportunities for Special Products Line. Determined root cause and implemented corrective actions for manufacturing related issues and lot acceptance test failures. Updated, optimized, and maintained all design, manufacturing, and test related documentation. Worked with business development team to determine business case for new customer orders.