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Hi, I'm Cole.

Cole St John

Software / Mechanical Engineer

Driven developer with a unique blend of mechanical and software engineering expertise, bringing over 15 years of industry experience in product and software development, process innovation, digital transformation, and automation.

Entrepreneurial at heart, I thrive on harnessing the power of software to improve knowledge management, promote interoperability, and increase sustainability. Over the past five years, I’ve focused on developing innovative software solutions using Python, fueled by a deep passion for simplifying complex processes.

I’m currently seeking a role in a team committed to making meaningful impact.

Languages: English - C2 | German - C1 | Spanish - A2

Work Status: Authorized to work in Germany & the United States.

Initiative
Leadership
Team Work

Skills

Experiences

1
Learning Sabbatical

February 2024 - Present

Remote - Bavaria, Germany

Voluntary sabbatical to deepen software engineering skills and explore new technologies, including Python, Linux, Docker, C++, and parallel programming.

Sabbatical

February 2024 - Present


Sigmaxim B.V.

July 2021 - February 2024

Remote - Bavaria, Germany

Sigmaxim B.V. is a leading provider of automation solutions for PTC Creo CAD platform.

Lead Application Engineer - Automation and Model-Based Enterprise

July 2021 - February 2024

Responsibilities:
  • Global customer consultant for custom software development.
  • Conception and development of software applications (Python / DSL) - primarily supporting product development, design automation, feasibility simulation, and other complex product analyses.
  • Kept leadership and customers informed regarding current project status, priority risks, pending decisions, etc.
  • Led a team in the development of software applications.
  • Presented at multiple international conferences on technical topics.
2

3
Steelcase AG

March 2017 - June 2021

Munich, Bavaria, Germany

Steelcase is a global leader in the office furniture industry.

Senior Process Improvement Engineer

February 2018 - June 2021

Responsibilities:
  • Conception and development of software applications (Python / DSL) - e.g. in support of complex product analyses.
  • Global primary contact for range of technical themes - including 3D product realisation. Technical management of other engineers and teams in relation to these themes.
  • Development and roll-out of trainings for over 200 engineers on various technical themes, including requirements, analyses, statistical process capability, etc.
Senior Product Development Engineer

March 2017 - February 2018

Responsibilities:
  • Review of development processes and creation of technical proposals - primarily towards the digitalisation and automation of these processes.
  • Development and guidance of several global process optimisation projects - including a requirements management system and training plan for global development departments in relation to digital transformation.

SRAM Deutschland GmbH

March 2013 - March 2016

Schweinfurt, Bavaria, Germany

SRAM is a global leader in bicycle components and accessories.

Design Engineer

March 2013 - March 2016

Responsibilities:
  • Development of four products in 3 years with a total annual turnover of around 56 million euros.
  • Developed product concepts that met and exceeded requirements, and managed product design and development from concept to mass production.
  • Developed, championed, and led roll-out of improvements to internal processes in the areas of product design specification, 3D metrology and product testing.
  • Collaborated closely and iteratively with industrial designers and product managers to develop the most aesthetically pleasing and functional products.
  • Statistical product data evaluation and prediction of process capability.
  • Assessment of design, manufacturing and quality systems for risks.
4

5
SRAM

July 2011 - February 2013

San Luis Obispo, California, USA

Existing Product Support Engineer

July 2011 - February 2013

Responsibilities:
  • Conception and implementation of initiatives to improve product design and the product development process.
  • Led team in product and process optimisation.

Kelsan Technologies

May 2010 - June 2011

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Kelsan Technologies was a provider of friction modifier and lubricant products for the railway industry (now under the LB Foster name).

Manufacturing Support Engineer

May 2010 - June 2011

Responsibilities:
  • Development and implementation of the production automation of a plastic injection moulding production process.
6

7
Ball Corporation

July 2006 - May 2009

Broomfield, Colorado, USA

Ball Corporation is a leading provider of metal packaging for beverages, foods and household products.

Process Engineer

July 2006 - May 2009

Responsibilities:
  • Identification and development of process improvements, resulting in annual savings of $3 million.
  • Construction of complete manufacturing process tools for a $25 million project.
  • Support in the implementation of a lean manufacturing programm, which increased the uptime of a critical plant by 35 %.

Education

Bachelors of Science in Mechanical Engineering
CGPA: 3.4 out of 4
Undergraduate in Mechanical Engineering

Projects

Personal Investing Application
Hobby Project May 2025 - Present

Ongoing development of application supporting web API scraping of current financial data, dashboarding of personal investments, performance over time, fundamental and technical insights into investments, etc.
Tech used: Python, Bash, Linux, Raspberry Pi, Sqlite, Pandas, Matplotlib, Seaborn, Numpy, Scipy, Yfinance.

Sigmaxim MBD Checker - Application
Lead Engineer & PO July 2021 - Feb 2024

MBD Checker is an advanced and industry leading software application built specifically for PTC Creo users, providing deep and comprehensive validation of Model-Based Definition (MBD) CAD data. It’s comprehensive validation capabilities enable users to seamlessly identify and resolve errors in MBD models—without leaving Creo. This integration ensures a streamlined workflow, enhancing the overall quality and adherence to standards in product development processes.
Tech used: Python, SmartAssembly (DSL), ODBC, SQL, SQLite, Bootstrap, Git, PowerBI, Batch Scripting.

Sigmaxim VS Code Extension
Lead Engineer / Repo Owner 2023 - 2024

In using SmartAssembly (DSL), I struggled with the lack of modern software tooling support for development with the language. My drive for continuous improvement led me to develop a VS Code extension to support code syntax, code highlighting, shortcuts, etc. The largest learning was developing a robust language standard for the language and beginning how to work with parser/generator ‘hooks’.
Tech used: Javascript and TypeScript, RegEx, Batch Scripting, ANTLR, AWS.

yEd Graph - Python Library
Repo Owner / Contributor Feb 2024 - Present

My love for knowledge visualization led me to develop a Python library to extend default yEd graph editor functionality through programmatic interface to graphs.
Tech used: Python, Bash, Excel.

SRAM EX1 E-BLOCK Cassette
SRAM EX1 E-BLOCK Cassette
Design Engineer 2016

Developed industry leading E-Mountain Bike market product - based on shifting quality and product robustness.
Tech used: High-speed cameras and video analysis, PTC Creo, Geomagic, Minitab, PTC Windchill.

SRAM X0 11-Speed Cassette
SRAM X0 11-Speed Cassette
Design Engineer 2015

Developed product meeting product specification and project requirements.
Tech used: PTC Creo, Geomagic, Minitab, PTC Windchill.

SRAM Mini-Block DH Cassette
SRAM Mini-Block DH Cassette
Design Engineer 2013

Developed product meeting product specification and project requirements.
Tech used: PTC Creo, Geomagic, Minitab, PTC Windchill.

Accomplishments

ASME GDTP (GD&T) Senior Level Professional
ASME Feb 2018 - Feb 2024

The Senior level GDTP examination emphasizes knowledge, selection, and application of the dimensioning and tolerancing principles, concepts, and practices contained in ASME Y14.5-1994 or ASME Y14.5-2009, including appendices. Certification indicates that the individual has demonstrated competencies in the understanding of geometric tolerancing and related principles, tolerance calculation, datum feature selection, application of modifiers in feature controls and composite tolerances.

Presentation - 'Why MBD Validation?' at PTC/User Conferences - Orlando, Florida, USA & Eindhoven, Netherlands
PTC Users October 2022

Presentation to packed room(s) of PTC/User conference attendees on the topic of Model-Based Enterprise (MBE) and MBD validation. Discussed the importance of MBD Validation and concrete concepts for implementing MBD Validation in a Model-Based Enterprise (MBE) environment - including presenting a software solution for MBD Validation - ‘Why MBD Validation?’.

Python 3: Deep Dive
Udemy February 2024 - March 2024

This course is a comprehensive deep dive into Python 3, covering advanced topics such as decorators, context managers, and metaclasses. It is designed for experienced Python developers who want to deepen their understanding of the language.

100 Days of Code: The Complete Python Pro Bootcamp
Udemy December 2023 - February 2024

This course is a comprehensive Python bootcamp that covers everything from the basics to advanced topics, including web development, data analysis, and automation. It is designed to take you from beginner to professional level in Python programming.

Patent - Multi-Sprocket Arrangement For A Bicycle - US 10,328,995

Novel method of robust assembly and lightweight design of a bicycle cassette for high performance, low cost bicycle component production.