- From: July 2018
- Until: April 2020
- Visit the website
I studied mechanical engineering and worked in the field for a few years before transitioning into web development. From July 2018 to April 2020, I worked at Qube 4D Ventures, a product development company collaborating directly with partner companies to bring hardware products to market.
My role centered on mechanical design and prototyping, bridging the gap between concept and production. I produced detailed mechanical designs and technical drawings using CAD software, then coordinated with manufacturers to ensure designs could be produced reliably and cost-effectively.
Hands-On Prototyping
I built and tested physical prototypes working with wood, metal, and composites. This involved using a wide range of tools and machines, from traditional woodworking and metalworking equipment to a CNC router for precision manufacturing. Each prototype went through multiple iterations based on test results and real-world feedback.
Trade Show Participation
I also represented the company at trade shows, building our booth from scratch and supporting the sales team on the floor. This gave me direct exposure to customer needs and market feedback, which often fed back into design improvements.
From Hardware to Software
While the fields differ, some patterns from mechanical design are still very relevant to my approach to software:
- Breaking down complex systems into manageable components
- Testing and validating assumptions early rather than committing to production prematurely
- Planning architecture upfront, whether assembly order or data models
- Iterating based on real-world feedback
The experience taught me the value of systematic problem-solving, though software has its own unique challenges and constraints, my diverse experiences also help approach software development from a different perspective.
Although I did enjoy mechanical engineering, I prefer software development because it allows for faster iteration and feedback loops. I also enjoy the never-ending depth of things to learn. Finally, it also enables me to work remotely.