Skipper Mahn

Professional Mechanical Engineer

San Diego, CA

Engineer
Innovator
Designer
Skip Mahn Headshot

Design & Analysis

I specialize in mechanical design and analysis, using fundamental engineering principles to transform concepts and ideas into optimized, high-performance solutions that help clients enhance product reliability, reduce costs, and accelerate development.

Prototyping

I excel in mechanical prototyping, rapidly transforming concepts into functional, precision-engineered prototypes to help clients streamline product development, refine designs, and bring ideas to market faster.

Project Management

I have a proven track record in project management, guiding concepts from idea to reality by aligning strategy, design, and development to deliver innovative solutions that drive value, reduce risks, and enable faster market entry.

Qualifications & Projects

Licensed Professional Engineer

10+ Years of qualified engineering experience

Space Systems & Deployables

  • Led design, analysis, and testing of the MEV docking mechanism, ensuring high reliability structural and deployment functionality
  • Developed deployable structures for OneSat and ROSA solar arrays (stowage, release, deployment verification)
  • Validated deployment function in spaceflight thermal, dynamic, & on-orbit environments

UAV & Payload Integration

  • Mechanical design and structural integration for UAV platforms
  • Payload packaging, avionics placement, vibration isolation, thermal control design and implementation
  • Fuel system design overhaul, including complete electromechanical system prototyping and testing

Analysis, Prototyping & Leadership

  • FEA (structural, modal, vibration/shock, fatigue) and thermal/deployable dynamic simulation
  • Rapid prototyping, design-for-manufacture guidance, BOM development, and test planning
  • Served as technical lead, subcontractor oversight, and program-level support