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Product Design Engineer II - Soft Goods
Neil Cox
Jacksonville, FL
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About
I have had a wonderful career thus far, with the ability to blend my knowledge of industrial design and product design. I am looking for a stable company where I can use my 15+ years of work/design experience to assist a company in 3D Modeling/Design/Engineering.
Industrial and Prototype Designer with an Emphasis in Soft Goods; Used to Tight Deadlines and Working Across Timezones. Proficient with Pattern Making and Engineering Minded.
Solid Work Ethic | Motivated | Able to Self-teach | Cross-functional Collaborator | Team Player
Operations: Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Monday.com
Design Functionality: Running Automated Cutting Tables: Autometrix, ATOM, Zund, Gerber: creating patterns in Patternsmith - nesting, seam allowance, etc.; 2D & 3D modeling, Paper Patterning
Advanced Knowledge Design Software: Rhinoceros 3D, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Acrobat), Maya, zBrush
Working Knowledge Design Software: Solidworks, Miller Weldmaster — to weld vinyls and plastics
Adaptable: Learning New Software, Understanding of Different Styles of Communication
Lifelong Learner: BFA Degree and AAS Degree; 15+ years Product Design / Package Design / Industrial Design / Soft Goods Engineer
*Previously held Security Clearance, inactive as of 2025.
I have worked directly with the following factories in ***China / Asia***
Jetta, Rocksprings, Roadzup, Acome, Jinquan, Four Friends, and Xiamen. -
Education
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Bachelor of Fine Arts Industrial DesignCollege for Creative Studies
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AAS ArchitectureHarrisburg Area Community College
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Continuing Education Leather OrientationUniversity of Cincinnati
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Continuing Education Solidworks I & IICuyahoga Community College
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Continuing Education SolidworksCalhoun Community College
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Experience
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Product Design Engineer II - Soft GoodsWing Inflatables, Patten Co.Jacksonville, FLApr 2025 - Present (1 year 3 months)• Lead Engineer on Viking and SSLR raft lines applying continuous manufacturing improvements to ensure all rafts met their required certification. Informed them on discrepancies for updates on their drawings accordingly.
• Conducted comprehensive validation testing (material, aging, pull, peel, over-pressure, thermal, inflation, drop, color fastness, and adhesion bonding).
• Worked directly with Sewers, RF Welders, and rotary welders to create prototypes for testing improvements on the rafts.
• Created Work Instructions, testing procedures using Mil-Spec, Work orders, and Bill of Materials (BOMs).
Decreased Overhead & Increased Bottomline. Quadrupled output for an inflatable raft in our onsite factory. Accomplished this from a jig that I created to speed up our production process in-house. -
Senior Design EngineerMobile, ALMay 2023 - Mar 2025 (1 year 10 months)• Designed OEM soft good accessories: seat covers, wheel cover bags, tow hitch bags, trunk floor covers, sun shades — for boutique automotive clients: VW (ID Line), BMW, Lexus, Rivian, Ford, Hyundai, etc.
• Created detailed Sample Requests (SRs) for *China incorporating complex patterns, logo / tag placement, material selection, coatings, stitching, binding, packaging, and fastener placement, to closely follow trends.
• Worked directly with our factory in China to produce samples and prototypes for fitments and client submittals to successfully meet tight vehicle launch deadlines.
• Utilized Adobe Acrobat, and Rhino 3D, to create and drape around 3D models of internal components within automobiles; complied with safety standards across broad range of auto companies.
• Traveled to meet with clients for onsite fitments, to tailor soft good elements; ensured a professional well-thoughtout fit. Practiced confidentiality and professionalism when meeting with and serving our clients, keeping their best interests in mind; worked on ideations and prototypes before public release.
Saved Prominent Client. I executed a custom, flawless seat cover for the 2024 Mustang as a quick turn task, and received high praise from management. *Laid off due to restructuring. -
Staff Task Supervisor II - Product Design EngineerApplied Research AssociatesHuntsville, ALJun 2021 - Feb 2023 (1 year 8 months)• In charge of 3D-modeling, patterned with Rhino 3D and Patternsmith — utilized Autometrix cutting table to cut out patterns, utilized Miller Weldmaster, created highly detailed sewing Tech Packs, utilized several types
of industrial sewing machines to create samples / prototypes; researched / sourced materials and notions (fasteners).
• Oversaw design and development crew to problem-solve with new ideas and create mockups / prototypes.
• Worked on contracts with clients to provide project updates, while maintaining professional and confidential relationships within.
• Utilized Ultipro for staying within budgets allotted per project.
Worked across Private and Public Sectors to Save US Troops. I led the soft goods engineering team in the design of top secret soft goods items that directly saved US Troops lives and maintaining active secret clearance. *Laid off due to restructuring. -
Soft Goods Engineering ManagerGoodBaby International / Cybex / EvenfloMiamisburg, OHOct 2020 - Apr 2021 (6 months)• Designed soft goods for several Juvenile car seats with retractable sunshades.
• Cross functionally managed projects daily in-house, and with *China remotely, sent cutting specs, sewing instructions, packaging guidelines, patterns for price quotes, and production requirements.
• Utilized AutoCAD and Rhino 3D to create and modify patterns of soft good prototypes for car seats and strollers.
• Created and modified sewing instructions via Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Utilized Gerber cutting table with Accumark and Accuscan software; created sewn samples (prototypes) as well as packaging.
Teamwork Oriented. Led onsite (OH) Soft Goods Team and worked in tandem with teams in Boston, MA & Charlotte, NC, as well as several factories in *China, to meet deadlines for mass production. *Redundancy with the OH and MA offices, my position was eliminated. -
Sewing Department Manager / Prototype DesignerWinning Streak IncDupo, ILApr 2020 - Sep 2020 (5 months)• Designed apparel for sports teams, including soccer / baseball shirts and pants. Created garment prototypes for mass production. Made line layouts for maximum manufacturing efficiency.
Hired Based off a Government Grant Provided during COVID to Assist with PPE. Managed, hired and trained industrial sewing team to make Personal Protection Equipment. Utilized limited Spanish proficiency to help hire, instruct, and guide sewing department. *COVID—layoffs due to decreased revenue. -
Industrial Designer / Prototype Pattern MakerEric Scott LeatherNov 2018 - Apr 2020 (1 year 5 months)• Designed Harley Davidson tank and tail bags, leather pool table pockets, photo boxes, molded leather carrying case for Leatherman tool, leather belts, horse bridals, duffel bags, messenger bags, backpacks, dog grooming scissor bags, purses, men's leather shoes, and various other bags with custom thermo transferred images applied to them.
• Provided entrepreneurial design concepts and technical coordination to new product development.
• Utilized AutoCAD and Rhino 3D to develop CAD models and to create patterns.
• Created assembly instructions and outlined automated manufacturing processes for new products.
• Created mockup prototypes of new sewn products from 2D sketches using Adobe Suite; reverse engineered as products to have new features and functions; utilized die cutting and industrial sewing machines to create prototypes / packaging.
• Developed preliminary BOM and routings for initial sample and verified final BOM and routing.
• Utilized ATOM Automated Cutting Tables to cut out panels for all sewn products, also used laser cutters for patterns.
• Learned the art of cordwaining (hand making leather shoes) from a Master Cordwainer and coworker.
During COVID, Losing Clients Led to Creating PPE. I successfully led the design team in a new direction to make HEPA Filter medical masks that brought the company out of the red. *COVID—layoffs due to decreased revenue. -
Senior Project Engineer - Tents / Shelters / FurnitureNewell BrandsHaysville, KSOct 2017 - Aug 2018 (10 months)• Worked on a cross-functional team to engineer and design “Tents, Shelters, and Outdoor Furniture” to meet regional requirements and demand.
• Analyzed product specs / requirements for engineering, and implemented pull, stress, flammability, and UV testing. Engineered new product prototype models for proof of concept / approval (Gold Sample).
• Worked with and traveled to factories in *Asia to present Tech Packs that incorporated material selection. Utilized Adobe Suite to create Tech Packs for product construction in *Asia. Worked directly with Marketing, Sourcing, and ATC, (China branch of Coleman), to Manage product lines from start to finish.
Awarded US Patent 10697196. “Shelter with adjustable canopy,” an in-depth expandable shelter design for tilting purposes and optimum shade coverage. *Restructured and expanded too quickly after being acquired by Newell; eliminated half of Design Department. -
Manufacturing Engineer Prototype SupervisorWeckworth ManufacturingHaysville, KSAug 2016 - Sep 2017 (1 year 1 month)• Oversaw six personnel in construction / development of first article prototypes using ultrasonic welding and industrial sewing.
• Designed production line machine placement layouts to help streamline manufacturing for SpaceX and Military applications, including: Air Force, Army and Navy.
• Utilized AutoCAD to create production patterns and used Photoshop to create instructions / layouts.
• Constructed BOM and routings for initial prototype samples as well as production quantities.
• Utilized Job Boss to conduct payroll audits for department.
Highlight of Designing was for SpaceX and Military. Experienced in designing various diverse military grade products. *Position was eliminated due to downsizing. -
Manufacturing Engineer Prototype Supervisor4moms / Thorley IndustriesPittsburgh, PAJan 2014 - Jun 2016 (2 years 5 months)• Utilized Adobe Suite and PowerPoint for design presentations and stand ups.
• Managed several product lines that included Ultimate Stroller, O-Go Stroller and Breeze.
• Drafted detailed paper patterns to construct prototypes and gold standard samples for production.
• Conducted routine maintenance of all industrial sewing machinery in the Soft Goods Department.
• Created BOMs for initial prototype samples.
Experience with High-end Juvenile Products, from Concept to Distribution: hammock for MamaRoo Multi-Motion Baby Swing — with overhead stuffed toys, and hammock for MamaRoo Sleep Bassinet, Breeze Plus Playpen — with removable bassinet, Breeze Go Playpen, hammock with sunshade for the O-Go Stroller, Ultimate Stroller, Moxi Stroller and Origami Stroller, newborn inserts, and worked with / went to factories in *Asia. *Third set of company layoffs in one year; eliminated many roles and replaced the CEO. -
Soft Goods EngineerCarefree of ColoradoBroomfield, COApr 2013 - Dec 2013 (8 months)• Designed and developed vinyl awnings for the RV industry.
• Planned and coordinated soft goods manufacturing process based on Lean Manufacturing.
• Estimated production times and staffing requirements to successfully run each job.
• Designed production line machine placement layouts to help streamline manufacturing with AutoCAD.
• Expanded Cutting Table Expertise. Used Patternsmith pattern layouts to create and nest patterns to be cut out on Autometrix cutting table everyday. *Geographical relocation. -
Inflatable Designer / Pattern DesignerInflatable ImagesBrunswick, OHJul 2011 - Apr 2013 (1 year 9 months)• Engineered / designed constant air vinyl inflatables in collaboration with clients needs.
• Utilized Patternsmith to create digital patterns, including programming / maintenance of Autometrix cutting table.
• Created detailed 3D models utilized Maya, zBrush and Rhino 3D within the parameters defined by product development team.
• Created sketch / rendering concepts, depicting inflatable logos, advertising, mascots (MLB, Collegiate), and sports tunnels (NFL, AHL, NHL).
Designed Inflatables for Notable Entities: New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts, a Bull Dog tunnel for Fresno State University, and Miami Dolphins inflatable helmet tunnel, a variety of inflatable team mascots including OSU’s Pistol Pete and the Philadelphia Phillie Phanatic. Other notable “larger than life” inflatable items include a cake for Dairy Queen, Frosty’s for Wendy’s, Dungeness crab for the Dungeness Crab Society, character for Menchie’s frozen yogurt, KIA Hamsters for Kia dealerships, a CarFox character, a Zorb (with integrated LED lights and internal electronic drum) for the Blue Man Group, various bounce houses, an inflatable fire safety house, and other exciting projects. -
Designer / DetailerBenchmark CraftsmanSeville, OHApr 2008 - May 2009 (1 year 1 month)• Designed exhibits and floor plans for trade show booths; utilized drills and power saws.
• Using client data we specked materials and finishes to be used in booth components and construction.
• In charge of material library and created detailed construction drawings with AutoCAD, Rhino 3D, Adobe Suite, MS Office Suite.
• Designed floor plans, electrical plans, product placement, booth graphics, and furniture layouts.
• Created detailed CAD drawings for in-house booth construction.
Created Trade Show Booths and a Layout for a Museum. Designed trade show booths for Ducati, Dewalt Power Tools, BMW, and an interactive installation at Children’s Museum Cleveland (CMC) where kids could learn about all of the different jobs associated with the airport. *Job was eliminated due to reorganization. -
Model Maker / Toy DesignerLittle Tikes - MGA EntertainmentHudson, OHMar 2007 - Feb 2008 (11 months)• Created sketches / renderings of new prospected products for weekly design meetings using Photoshop and Illustrator.
• Managed projects of new innovation from initial sketch concept through to final production working directly with Asian and US vendors.
• Created full size foam 3D models for prototyping, as well as making breadboard prototypes for use in onsite daycare testing. Materials included metal, plastic, stereolithography (SLA) parts, cast resin parts, foam and electronics.
• Worked in a full model shop; well-versed in using a multitude of power tools.
• Experienced with Injection, Blow and Rotomolding procedures.
• Designed and made prototypes of packaging for multiple toys and concepts that went into production.
From Concept to the Shelves of Target, Walmart & Ross. This included: two inflatable kiddie pools, and an Island Adventure Water Table. The water table was also on their Spring 2008 Shop at Home Catalog cover - a huge accomplishment, especially at the beginning of my career. *Acquired by MGA Entertainment, many positions were moved to California and mine was eliminated.
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Awards
Awarded US patent 10697196 “Shelter with adjustable canopy,” an in-depth expandable shelter design for tilting purposes and optimum shade coverage.
"Island Adventure Water Table" (toy) made the cover of the Spring 2008 Little Tikes catalog.
Eagle Scout -
Affiliations
The Antique and Classic Boat Society INC. (acbs.org)
IFPA - International Flipper Pinball Association - ranked pinball player and co-tournament director -
Industries
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Skills
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Elsewhere on the Web
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On Coroflot@NeilCox, member since 2006
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Followers 4
