Main Gig / Side Gig
Main Gig
For most of my career, I designed mechanical components for high-voltage mining equipment, including opencut gear, IP gear, and FLP gear. It was heavy, technical work involving structural steel and sheet-metal design, all following strict electrical and Australian standards. I did this for 11 years and I’m still proud of it. I learned a lot and truly appreciate everyone I worked with during that time.
Lately, my work has expanded to cover access systems, industrial components, residential and commercial structures, and unique mechanical challenges that don’t fit into a single category. I’ve worked in small teams where the pace is fast, the jobs are varied, and the pressure is real, but so is the satisfaction. I like that kind of environment. It keeps me sharp.
Right now, I’m open to new opportunities. This could be a full-time job or subcontract drafting and design work. I’m comfortable joining a team or working on my own, and I’m used to turning rough ideas into something that can be built.
What hasn’t changed is the balance I aim for: meaningful work, time with my daughter, and time to ride. That mix is more important to me than any job title.
Side Gig
My side work has always been straightforward: people I respect get in touch when they’re stuck, and I help if I can. Over the years, that’s included quick-turnaround drawings, reverse-engineering worn parts, solving fabrication problems, or cleaning up documentation so a job can move forward.
Now that my main role has finished, I’m opening up to more work. I’m available for subcontract drafting and mechanical design, whether it’s small jobs, ongoing support, or one-off challenges. I’m not looking to build an empire or run a big business. I just like solving problems and making drawings that fabricators find easy to use.
If you need someone who works carefully, communicates clearly, and understands real-world constraints, I’d be glad to talk.
Tools of the Trade
I started with AutoCAD, then used SolidWorks, and I’ve been working with Autodesk Inventor since 2009. It does everything I need, and I know it well. While most people enjoy building assemblies, I prefer making drawings. Clear, readable, fabricator-friendly drawings are what I do best. Years of working closely with fabricators taught me that clarity matters most.
I’m also comfortable using MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Linux, Windows, and Mac. I adapt to whatever the job needs.
What Matters Most
At the end of the day, the best job is one that lets me be a present, positive dad and still enjoy the freedom of riding motorcycles. I’m looking for work that fits that balance: challenging enough to stay interesting, and flexible enough to keep life in balance.