Hi there! I'm Nick LaManna, an experienced Design Engineer residing in beautiful San Diego, California. My professional drive is simple: streamline intricate mechanical systems to enhance the user experience. With over a decade of experience spanning aerospace and biotechnology, I've established myself as a specialist in designing and refining complex electromechanical and mechanical systems. My focus lies in creating designs that not only excel in performance but also facilitate efficient manufacturability and assembly processes.

Engineering

Starting from a childhood surrounded by K'nex, Legos and Lincoln logs, my passion followed me through high school, where I completed Project Lead the Way prior to enrolling at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) for a bachelors degree in Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering. Capping off my time at RPI in 2013 was a Capstone featuring a high level Solidworks CAD design of both a passenger and business jet, reassuring my interest in design and planting the early seeds for the turns my career would take in later years.

Beginning my career with Heim Bearings as a Manufacturing Engineer, I quickly grasped the significance of the interplay between process and quality. It became evident that I could have a more profound impact on this during the design phase. This led me to shift towards a design-oriented career, with my first opportunity as a electro-mechanical engineer at Triumph Group. I've continued this journey through roles at Perkin Elmer, Safe Flight Instrument Company (now LLC), Oxford NanoImaging (ONI) Inc/LTD, and my most recent position at Nighthawk Flight Systems. Throughout this progression, I have assumed progressively more impactful roles, enabling me to truly define these functions with a more wholistic perspective.

Automotive

During my teenage years, I developed a strong hobbyist interest in cars. It began with building 1:24 scale models and once I could afford it, translated into actual vehicles. I owned a total of four cars during high school and college, with two of my favorites being the 1991 Mistubishi Galant VR4 (equipped with the same engine as the Mistubishi Eclipse and other "DSM" cars) and a 1985 BMW 325e, which I would engine swap with a Ford 5.0 V8. The Ford swap was a special project. When supplied components didn't fit as prescribed, I turned to my engineering background and designed my own. Leaning into my Solidworks expertise, I measured and designed an oil pan, transmission and engine mounts, engine headers and driveshaft to be fitted to the vehicle. Installation would prove my design venture successful and eventually driving that car at my local autocrosses would be the high point of that project. This passion for the automotive world follows me to this day, where I've leaned into both my hobbyist experience and my engineering background to design best fit solutions for virtually everything I've driven.

Entrepreneurship

For nearly 10 years, I watched my mother run her own business, tackling multiple adversities and obstacles along the way. I've shared her drive throughout my professional career, often thinking through unique ways to push through adversity that colleagues had not previously thought possible.

I have further developed this into personal businesses. Highlighting these are my ventures in automotive repair, residential automotive security (click on The Guard Duck logo, shown left, to learn more!), unique piece part design with and without 3D printing and vehicle resale. I maintain a personal license of Solidworks to keep me engaged in design outside of the workplace. Not only has this allowed me to learn more about the automotive hobby, its driven value in my everyday life as I constantly look for novel ways to add value.

Travel, Other Hobbies, Home

A love of travel was instilled in me at a young age and I aspire to see every country in my lifetime. Pictured left is my Grandmother and I at the geographic North Pole, an incredible trip I was fortunate to take at just 17 years old.

My Fiance Miranda and I make it a goal to see at least 2 new places every year. We're currently situated close to the ocean here in San Diego and spend considerable time enjoying the local climate. When we're not working or traveling, you can find us playing beach volleyball, at a Gulls or Padres game and spending time with our cats, Diego and Finley!