David C. Goodwin
I am a 24-year old mechanical engineering graduate of Villanova University, originally from Syracuse, NY. Being from a state that gets both sweltering summers and frigid winters, I grew up biking, hiking, camping, and skiing through the beautiful North East. Being raised by a mechanical engineer mother and a dentist father, I gained an appreciation for detailed design and really all things mechanical.
Throughout elementary and high school, I worked with my dad and brother restoring 1960’s muscle cars in our home shop, starting from rusted cars with solid potential and ending with true classics that are restored to their original showroom condition, complete with original brochures and labeling. This not only gave me a passion for all things cars, but also an appreciation for the finer mechanical details that go into something as complex as a functioning vehicle.
In high school, I had the opportunity to take a few engineering courses, bringing me up to speed with 3D modeling in Autodesk and Solidworks, 3D printing in FDM and SLA, and a myriad of other foundational engineering skills. This gave me the ability to start working on my own projects outside of school, taking advantage of both the tools at home in our shop and at my high school. Simply put, from the first time I went through the process of following a project from concept through finishing and assembly, I knew I was hooked on design.
Going into college at Villanova University I was thrilled to see all the facilities and machines that would be at my disposal throughout my four years there. I had an incredible time making anything I could set my mind to, learning how to use new machines and methods as I went along. This greatly broadened my knowledge about design for manufacturing - something I often find can get lost when an engineer simply dives into their project without looking at the fuller picture.
Lately I’ve found a great deal of enjoyment out of using abnormal materials and new assembly methods, leading me to take on projects involving things like concrete, brass, and acrylic. Even in cases where materials are not the easiest or cheapest for the application, there is still the aesthetic value of the product to consider, and as such I put a very heavy emphasis on my projects not just being functional but also elegant.
At this point in my engineering career, I am greatly looking forward to starting my career and working at a company that will allow me to continue to grow and iterate independently as a designer and engineer, while still giving me the guidance and opportunities to grow professionally. I’m quite hopeful that I will be able to work at a company that aligns with my passion - one that strives to create functional and cutting-edge products that have a true aesthetic nuance and emotion behind their design.