About
INSPIRED BY THE IMPOSSIBLE.
Hello and welcome! My name is Summer Roman Nicks, I’m an imaginative mechanical engineer with 7+ years experience in diverse engineering projects. I was raised in a household brimming with creativity and innovation that fostered my natural mechanical aptitude. My father, an inventor and engineer, immersed me in a world of machinery, teaching me the intricacies of project planning, design, material sourcing, and fabrication techniques like soldering, welding, machining, vacuum forming, and woodworking. Above all, he instilled in me a knack for problem-solving.
My journey in engineering education extended into high school through FIRST robotics competitions. As the Mechanical and Electrical Lead of our spirited small team, 1332. I embraced the challenges and thrived in this kind of project. After a detour in the medical field, I fully committed myself to this path, culminating in the completion of a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Colorado ~ Boulder in 2017. Throughout my academic tenure, I diligently balanced my studies with hands-on experience, seizing opportunities through internships and volunteering for humanitarian engineering initiatives.
Today, I channel this upbringing into being a dedicated do-it-yourself enthusiast whether it’s tackling projects around the house, working under the hood of a car, or bringing my imaginative ideas to life. Through necessity, I have honed a diverse set of skills and knowledge. My real strength lies not in possessing all the answers but in my curiosity-driven quest to seek out the right knowledge to uncover them.
Throughout my career as an engineer I have proven to be a leader who works well with a team to develop creative strategies and bring them to life. A self-starter that is focused on continuous improvement with a dedication to efficiency. I am capable in fast paced, changing environments. Passionate about learning new skills, growth, and interdepartmental collaboration to meet multifaceted project demands. I demonstrate exceptional proficiency in CAD programs such as Solidworks, seamlessly translating the designs in my mind into intricate digital models. To then produce meticulous, precise, tidy, and well-organized engineering packages for review and vendor production. I have experience with product design, hardware support, automation, rapid prototyping, opto-mechanical systems, design for manufacturing and assembly (DFM & DFA), and production on site or with supplies.
My interests are broad but I have always loved aerospace, sustainable energy, robotics, opto-mechanics, and the magnitude of impact that engineering can make. My passion for engineering stems from a desire to contribute to shaping a brighter future for everyone.
Work
Passionately curious.
Imatest LLC
Mechanical Engineer April 2021 ~ Present
- Creating and implementing standards to support the growth and scalability of the hardware department for opto-mechanical systems.
- Designing new hardware products for image quality testing for the aerospace, medical, and automotive sectors.
- Interdepartmental collaboration for the testing and development of products using rapid prototyping with 3D printer, laser cutter, and desktop CNC mill.
- Developing and incorporating automated hardware solutions using Python, C/C++ and MATLAB. Driving force to implement our own controllers to link with software to reduce cost by 60% and provide greater flexibility and more sourcing options.
- Established a new source for our primary materials, reduced lead time by 50% for a superior product with a 10% decrease in cost.
Specialty Products Company
Manufacturing Engineer May 2018 ~ August 2019
- Managed the design of new equipment, fixtures, processes, procedures, and systems for manufacturing and production utilizing lean manufacturing methods.
- Developed a process, organization, and documentation to decrease setup time by 60% for 40 machinists on 16 machines.
- Upheld quality standards to maintain ISO 9001, IATF 16949, and SHARP certifications.
- Designed, programmed, and integrated UR Cobot to automate manufacturing processes and CNC tend.
- Created, maintained, and revised existing CAD models, assemblies, and drawings packages.
- Worked with quality assurance team to troubleshoot complex manufacturing problems.
- Worked with multi-disciplinary teams to realize prototypes and review designs for manufacturability and assembly.
University of Colorado – Boulder
ITLL Manufacturing Center Assistant (Machinist) January 2015 ~ December 2017
- Conducted workshops on machine shop safety and provided guidance on the correct utilization of tools and machinery.
- Taught fundamental principles of machines and manufacturing processes.
- Consulted on project design, material selection, engineering drawings, Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing (GD&T), tolerance stack ups, and fabrication techniques for students and faculty research.
- Fabricated custom components to support research and development initiatives.
- Consulted on design, materials, and fabrication of projects for students and facility research.
Demiurge LLC
Engineering and Fabrication Intern August 2017 ~ December 2017
- Contributed to the fabrication of expansive public structural art installations.
- Employed Rhino 3D for the creation and realization of artistic designs.
- Enhanced proficiency in MIG/TIG welding techniques.
- Assisted in the installation, removal, and secure shipping of large sculptural pieces.
Phase IV Engineering
Engineering Intern May 2015 ~ August 2015
- Identified optimal manufacturing processes for wireless sensors, enhancing efficiency and quality.
- Streamlined the manufacturing area and developed comprehensive documentation for newly established processes.
- Conducted thorough research, testing, and data analysis to evaluate the functionality and viability of a thermocouple capable of operating in both positive and negative temperature environments.
- Diagnosed issues with malfunctioning products, troubleshooting effectively to determine root causes of failures and reporting findings for corrective action.
Projects
Grounded teamwork.
CU Senior Project: NBA Milwaukee Bucks Sideline Chairs
Systems Engineer August 2016 ~ May 2017
The objective of the project for the Milwaukee Bucks was to optimize performance from the sidelines. Following a season of implementing the new sideline chairs, we have successfully achieved this goal! Troy Flanagan, the Milwaukee Bucks’ director of performance, attributed the team’s 7-0 start to the seats. Given the varying heights of players, we designed adjustable chairs that catered to each individual’s ergonomic needs while incorporating a heating element to enhance player comfort, prevent injuries, and elevate performance. Collaborating with an international team from New Zealand further enriched our project experience.
I established myself as a versatile engineer with a comprehensive understanding and adaptability across various team disciplines. I fostered cohesive teamwork, effectively navigating obstacles and ensuring seamless design integration within specialized systems teams.
Humanitarian Engineering (Costa Rica) May 2014
As part of an international engineering project with Metropolitan State University (MSU), I collaborated to assist a marginalized community in Costa Rica over a two-week period. Our team engaged directly with the Esterillos community to gather insights, assess their genuine needs, and identify areas for improvement. We designed and constructed two projects using locally available materials and tools, then conducted workshops to teach the community how to replicate these designs. Initially focusing on water-related solutions like solar water heaters due to the lack of hot water, we pivoted our efforts towards addressing food security concerns after discovering that gardening and livestock were vital income sources. Following in-depth discussions, we decided that creating rotating composters and devising methods to protect chicken eggs from predators would be the most impactful projects to undertake.
This experience was both enriching and eye-opening, reshaping my perspectives on global issues and my role in addressing them. Leveraging fundamental engineering skills, we were able to make a meaningful difference in a community less privileged than our own, sparking a desire to engage in similar initiatives in the future.
Contact
LET’S TALK.
Have a question or project? Email me at: SRomanNicks@gmail.com