Jonathan Underwood

Director

Jonathan is an experienced Mechanical Design and R&D Engineer with over eight years of expertise in managing international projects from concept to completion. His work spans mechanical and electrical systems design, research and development, project management, and post-sales support. Throughout his career, Jonathan has successfully led multi-million-dollar projects, overseeing diverse, cross-functional teams and collaborating with international organizations. He has a proven track record of optimizing workflows, reducing project timelines, and enhancing operational efficiency.

Jonathan’s background includes experience in the railway, aerospace, and defense sectors, as well as in the manufacturing and metallurgical research industries. In these roles, he has not only provided technical leadership but also contributed to risk management, supply chain planning, and quality assurance efforts.

With a strong foundation in engineering principles, Jonathan holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. His career reflects a commitment to delivering innovative solutions and improving project outcomes across a wide range of products.

Larry Ruff, Ph.D.

Operations Manager

Dr. Ruff is a mechanical engineer with close to 50 years of experience in manufacturing and in the design and development of manufacturing equipment and systems. He has also designed, developed, and manufactured many discrete products that have been commercialized. Dr. Ruff has worked both in industry and academia throughout his career. He has expertise in machining, injection molding, metal forming, additive manufacturing and many other manufacturing processes. He also has extensive expertise in robotics and automation. Prior to his current role, Dr. Ruff was a Senior Systems Engineer at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and managed the Manufacturing Innovation Learning Laboratory (MILL) along with teaching classes in manufacturing and engineering design. Dr. Ruff received his BS, MEng and Ph.D., all in mechanical engineering, from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.