Randy R.

I help early‑stage hardware startups and product teams turn unclear ideas into real, testable prototypes and production‑ready designs — without open‑ended development or wasted spend. I work through fixed‑scope, time‑boxed sprints designed to de‑risk critical technical decisions early, before manufacturing costs, timelines, or complexity spiral. What clients bring me in for: -Building functional hardware prototypes that can be tested, demonstrated, or quoted -Design‑for‑manufacturing (DFM) reviews before committing to tooling or vendors -Simplifying mechanical and electronic designs to reduce cost and assembly risk -Unblocking stalled hardware projects where progress has slowed or stopped -Providing experienced, senior‑level technical input without a full‑time hire This works especially well when a core engineering team already exists but needs targeted, focused support to move forward confidently. How I usually work: Engagements typically start with a fixed‑scope prototype or DFM sprint (usually 2–4 weeks). Sprints are clearly defined up front and may include: -Review of existing CAD, BOMs, and system architecture -Prototype development or focused integration troubleshooting -Identification of cost drivers, assembly risks, and design bottlenecks -Practical recommendations to simplify designs for manufacturing and scale -A clear next‑step roadmap so teams know exactly how to proceed This approach keeps work efficient, predictable, and aligned with real‑world manufacturing constraints. Background I have 16+ years of experience building and shipping real hardware products across robotics, medical devices, and connected systems. I’ve also been a founder, which means I design with commercial reality, cost, and timelines in mind — not just technical elegance. Examples of recent work: -Taking early‑stage hardware concepts to functional prototypes used for fundraising and vendor quotes -Delivering CAD and BOM packages that reduced downstream manufacturing risk -Resolving stalled mechanical / electronics / firmware integrations to get teams moving again Ongoing roles Ongoing advisory or fractional senior engineering roles are considered only after an initial sprint, and only when scope, authority, and expectations are clearly defined. Fit If you’re looking for open‑ended development or task‑by‑task execution, I’m probably not the right fit. If you want focused progress, clear decisions, and a realistic path to manufacturing, I’m happy to talk through what’s blocking you and whether a short sprint makes sense. Skills / Keywords: Prototype engineering | Product design | Design for manufacturing | CAD (Fusion 360, SolidWorks, Inventor) | BOM & vendor readiness | Embedded systems (ESP32, Arduino) | PCB integration | Rapid prototyping | Mechanical + electrical integration