Product Development Engineer

Transforming Complex Scientific Challenges into Manufacturable Products

I'm a Product Development Engineer with experience leading concept development, simulation, prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and validation of advanced electromechanical and microfluidic systems.

M.S.
Mechanical Eng., BU
5+
Years in R&D
0→1
Concept to release
Portrait of Joe Von Schoppe, Product Development Engineer
Joe Von Schoppe
R&D · Medical Devices · Microfluidics · Product Development
Experience & Education

A track record across R&D and manufacturing

A timeline of engineering roles, education, and mentorship — from microfluidics and diagnostics to advanced battery manufacturing.

  1. 2025–PresentExperience

    Senior Process Engineer — Lucid Motors

    I lead cross-functional initiatives across design, manufacturing, controls, software, data, and operations to develop and deploy advanced battery manufacturing processes.

  2. 2025Experience

    R&D Engineer — Wainamics

    I led experiments to optimize device performance and manufacturing, integrating multidisciplinary insights into novel lab-on-a-chip solutions and delivering results to clients.

  3. 2021–2024Experience

    Mechanical Engineer — Fikst

    I designed and tested microfluidic cartridge and instrument systems, led V&V from concept to commercial release, built QA protocols, and managed vendors and technician training.

  4. 2015–2020Education

    M.S. Mechanical Engineering — Boston University

    Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering, Boston University (2015–2020).

  5. 2018–2020Experience

    Laboratory Assistant — Boston University

    I processed silicon wafers into microfluidic chips, performed chip spectroscopy with optical and electron microscopes, and designed and fabricated experiment fixtures.

  6. 2015–2018Mentorship

    Mentor — BUA FIRST Robotics

    I guided students through design, fabrication, and integration of competitive robotics systems, teaching CNC machining, mechanical assembly, and system testing.