Kris Canete
Lead Automation & Mechatronics Engineer
Building the system that reconnects design, manufacturing, and validation — collapsing hardware iteration from months to days.
Core Thesis
Hardware is slow because design, manufacturing, and validation are disconnected. I'm building the system that reconnects them.
4
Projects
6
Machines
1200
Hours
2
Programs
Built in the Shop
Real projects. Real contributions. Not a simulation.
Flywheel Energy Storage System
Modular, fast-response energy storage systems for grid-edge and industrial applications. Focused on short-duration buffering where batteries fail economically.
What I did
Full system architecture, prototype development, and scalable deployment design. Owns the stack from mechanical to controls.
Process
Production Automation Systems
Multi-axis robotic systems designed and deployed for high-volume production environments. Integrated hardware, controls, and process flows.
What I did
Designed hardware, integrated controls, and built process flows for repeatable manufacturing in a production setting.
Process
Rapid Casting + CNC Pipeline
SLA print-to-rapid-cast workflows for prototype metal parts. Building the integrated pipeline from pattern to machined, validated part.
What I did
Sole architect — owns the full loop from CAD through casting to machined, validated parts.
Process
Factory-OS
Internal manufacturing operating system that tracks engineering decisions, validation, and manufacturability in one loop. Connects design intent directly to production.
What I did
Sole architect and builder. Turning engineering into a compounding system where knowledge is never lost between revisions.
Process
Capability + Access
Machines
Processes
Software
Program Affiliation
Industry Background
Relevant experience that informs what this builder can do now.
Rangeview (Stealth Startup)
Lead Engineer, Mechatronics
January 2025–July 2025
Lead engineer bringing advanced manufacturing back to the US in the form of quick turn vacuum induction cast parts.
Sila Nanotechnology
Managing Senior Mechanical and Controls/Automation Engineer
January 2023–May 2024
Designed and scaled proprietary manufacturing equipment for lithium battery material production. Led development of roll-to-roll, slot die, and drawdown blade coating systems. Programmed Beckhoff PLCs in Structured Text for complex motion and thermal systems. Achieved a 10x production increase by scaling R&D operations to high-volume manufacturing.
Tesla Motors Inc
Mechanical Engineer
June 2020–September 2022
Led design and implementation of robot end-of-arm tooling for high-pressure die cast equipment and electric motor laminate stack lines. Programmed Allen-Bradley PLCs for automated material handling and safety systems.
Oregon Institute of Technology
Machine Shop Manager
2014–2020
Managed the OIT machine shop alongside a dual BS in Mechanical Engineering & Manufacturing Engineering Technology. Hands-on machining and fabrication foundation that informs every design decision made since.
Growth Timeline
2014–2020
OIT — Machine Shop Manager
Managed the machine shop while completing a dual BS in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering Technology.
2020–2022
Tesla Motors — Mechanical Engineer
Designed robot end-of-arm tooling, programmed Allen-Bradley PLCs, and supported high-throughput production automation at scale.
2023–2024
Sila Nanotechnology — Controls/Automation Engineer
Scaled battery material production 10x. Led Beckhoff PLC programming and equipment lifecycle for lithium production systems.
2023
Founded The Backyard Shop
Built the physical and operational infrastructure to reconnect design and manufacturing.
2024
Founded On The Fly Energy
Started developing modular flywheel-based energy storage systems — currently deprioritized.
2025
Rangeview — Lead Engineer, Mechatronics
Lead engineer bringing advanced manufacturing back to the US — quick turn vacuum induction cast parts.
2025
Active — Factory-OS + Backyard Shop
Fully focused on building Factory-OS and scaling The Backyard Shop operations and programs.
Active Work
Current Projects
- Factory-OS — development and internal deployment
- The Backyard Shop — building out operations, equipment, and programs
- Rapid casting + CNC pipeline build-out
Currently Learning
- High-temperature alloy casting
- Shop operations management and scaling
- CNC process documentation and SOPs
Looking For
- Partners in workforce development and advanced manufacturing
- Equipment donors and sponsors for the shop
- Hardware startups looking for prototype and fabrication support
Work with Kris
Connect, collaborate, or invest in what's being built here.