Hello, I’m Dale.
I specialise in transforming innovative ideas into market-ready hardware products, guiding startups and scale-ups through the complexities of product development to deliver solutions that address global challenges.
About Me
With over 18 years’ experience as a consultant in mechanical engineering and product design, I’ve worked with startups, scale-ups, and global industry leaders across medical devices, commercial space, defence, automotive, and consumer electronics. My approach blends deep technical expertise with practical, hands-on execution — from first principles to fully tested prototypes, and into full-scale production.
What started as a childhood obsession with understanding how things work has evolved into a career built on curiosity, rigour, and creative problem-solving. Today, I apply that same mindset — supported by hard-earned experience — to help leaders and organisations develop thoughtful, high-impact solutions.
“In the middle of every difficulty lies opportunity.”
My process is simple but effective:
I break challenges down to their fundamentals, draw on my own experience (or learn from others), and build ideas into real, working products. I iterate quickly, test often, and embrace failure as a teacher. Make it, break it, learn from it — then do it better.
I’ve led or supported development efforts for everything from space-grade communications payloads and medtech diagnostics to novel high-speed plasma cleaning systems for railways. These aren’t just technical achievements — they’re the result of a belief that the best products come from asking good questions, planning carefully, and learning fast.
What I Bring to the Table
A systems-thinking approach with a strong foundation in computer-aided design (CAD), finite element analysis (FEA), computational fluid dynamics (CFD), and design for X (DfX).
Experience delivering across the full product lifecycle, from napkin sketch to NPI and scaled production.
The ability to get up to speed quickly, offer an objective perspective, and move projects forward with clarity and energy.
A track record of delivering tangible value, trusted by organisations such as OneWeb, Osler Diagnostics, Teledyne, Kinneir Dufort, and Network Rail.
If you’re developing a hardware product and want someone who can think deeply, work flexibly, and execute reliably — let’s connect. You can get in touch here or reach me on LinkedIn.
You can also download my CV or explore my portfolio for examples of past projects. And for a more personal take on my process and ongoing work, check out my blog: Engineered for Life.