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Chad Gundelach

@chadgundelach

I lead engineering teams delivering automated packaging systems, mechanical designs, and multimillion-dollar cost reductions.

United States

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What I'm looking for

I'm looking to lead mechanical engineering and product-development work where I can improve system design, mentor teams, solve technical problems, and deliver measurable cost, quality, and reliability improvements.

At Delta Systems & Automation, I lead multidisciplinary engineering teams delivering $16M–$20M annually in automated packaging systems. I also evaluate technical feasibility for incoming quotations and build process-driven design practices around teamwork and ownership.

Previously, I designed a patent-pending final knife system for horizontal flow wrapping and led conveyor and infeed systems through delivery. Across product development and project management roles, I have delivered more than $4M in cost reductions.

At Select Comfort Sleep Systems, I led R&D and cross-functional teams launching remote and pump platforms, including projects that generated more than $2M in combined cost and warranty reduction. I also developed a redesigned foundation that reduced annual costs by $2M and cut warranty issues by more than 50%.

I'm a Minnesota-registered Professional Engineer and Six Sigma Green Belt with experience in mechanical design, FMEA, DFSS, testing, supplier quality, and finite element analysis. I bring hands-on experience across consumer goods, heavy machinery, sensors, and AI training workflows.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Engineering Manager

Current

Delta Systems & Automation

Jan 2019 - Present (7 years 7 months)

Managed a team of 16 engineers on automated packaging systems totaling $16M-$20M annually. Served on the applications review team for all incoming quotations, evaluating technical feasibility and concepts.

Engineering Leadership Project Management Packaging Systems Application Review Technical Feasibility Team Management

Independent Contractor - Mechanical Engineering Domain Expert

Mercor Intelligence

Jun 2025 - Apr 2026 (10 months)

Provided mechanical engineering expertise to improve models for a top AI lab. Developed high-quality training and evaluation data and maintained strong accuracy and throughput in large-scale workflows.

Mechanical Engineering AI Training Data Data Quality Workflow Management

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Delta Systems & Automation

Apr 2016 - Jan 2019 (2 years 9 months)

Designed and documented a novel final knife system for a horizontal flow wrapping system, with patent applied for. Created complete conveyor and infeed systems per customer specifications and managed them through delivery as design lead.

Mechanical Design Horizontal Flow Wrapping Conveyors Finite Element Analysis Solidworks GD&T

Advanced Product Design Engineer

Red Devil Equipment

Jul 2014 - Dec 2015 (1 year 5 months)

Led new concept development for paint-industry material handling, mixing, and support products utilizing Design for Six Sigma principles. Performed root cause analysis and component redesign on a paint shaker transmission.

Product Design TRIZ Root Cause Analysis Solidworks

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer / Project Manager

Select Comfort Sleep Systems

Jun 2006 - Jun 2014 (8 years)

Led an R&D and cross-functional team in the design and launch of a new remote platform for an entire family of products utilizing DFSS principles. Managed the R&D/Product department development budget, including capital equipment purchases.

Product Development Project Management TRIZ Six Sigma Budget Management

Mechanical Design Engineer

Caterpillar Global Paving

Sep 2005 - Jun 2006 (9 months)

Worked in the Continuous Product Improvement Group on Six Sigma projects for paving machines by performing testing, calculations, and model and drawing updates. Performed finite element and bolted joint analysis on an upgraded tire scraper assembly.

Mechanical Design Six Sigma Finite Element Analysis GD&T

Mechanical Design Engineer

Goodrich Sensor Systems

Mar 2004 - Sep 2005 (1 year 6 months)

Provided technical assistance, project management, Pro/E design work, and customer support for a complete family of high-accuracy temperature sensors. Performed an in-depth analysis to determine the origin of a product failure.

Mechanical Design GD&T LEAN Project Management Oracle Project Management

Mechanical Engineer

Synchrotron Radiation Center

May 2000 - Feb 2004 (3 years 9 months)

Designed a complete ultra-high-vacuum system using solid modeling for the facility's premier analyzer. Performed calculations for the design of cryogenic cold fingers and ultra-high-vacuum systems.

Mechanical Design Vacuum Systems