Meet Carlos M. Gonzalez

Allow me to introduce myself. I am one of the new Technology Editors on Machine Design, covering motion control, fluid power, CAD/CAM, and manufacturing. In 2007, I completed my Bachelor’s Degree in mechanical engineering at Manhattan College in New York. During the summers of 2005 and 2006, I was an intern at Sikorsky Aircraft in the firm’s Hydraulics and Mechanical Flight Controls Department. Upon my graduation, I was hired by the same department. There, I worked on the UH-60 Blackhawk program, the S76D commercial program, and—for the last four years—the Navy’s CH-53K fly-by-wire helicopter. During my tenure there, I also completed my Master’s Degree at Columbia University.

At Sikorsky, I was in charge of various part designs, hardware installations, supplier support for various flight-control components, and many 3D-based designs, installations, and analysis. I can’t think of a more traditional career. So why did I change careers to become a Technology Editor?

The answer is actually a simple one: I wanted to know what was new in the engineering world. Most corporate companies have their processes, and they are all geared toward building a unique product. New technology and innovations are specifically brought to a company to help develop their products. So while an engineer learns about one topic in great detail, he or she is usually not exposed to a world of emerging technologies.

Becoming a Technology Editor has given me access to these different engineering worlds. I studied mechanical engineering because it is the umbrella discipline of engineering. Mechanical engineers can go into civil construction, bridge and tunnel design, mass-transit design, the medical industry, robotics, aviation, and the list goes on and on. Being able to research these topics and be at the forefront of reporting on them allows me to touch different fields of engineering.

I look forward to sharing the knowledge I have while investigating new topics and ideas. Examples include how new hybrid engines will be implemented, how the 3D modeling world will continue push innovation, and how 3D printing could become a staple in the home and at work.

The end goal of all my research is to be able to bring this knowledge to you, our audience. When I was in college, the sources available to find out about new technologies were limited. The professors had a few magazines and publications available. But most of the time, we were so busy with schoolwork that if it was not taught in the classroom, we did not know about it. However, with the Internet and the rise of social media, it’s easier for all of us to know what technology is out there and what new tool could be coming to your school or workplace. And I’m happy to say that it is now my job to bring that information to you.

I’m based in our New York City office, and I can be reached at [email protected].