GannonBorchers@gmail.com • four.one.five.964.seven.four.four.(number of fingers on one hand) • LinkedIn
Professional Experience
Swift Engineering, Inc. – San Clemente, California November 2024 – Current
Senior Program Manager
Managing the Swift Ultra-Long Endurance (SULE) program at Swift involves leading the development of a solar-powered drone designed for indefinite stratospheric flight at 65,000 feet. This 73-foot-wide aircraft utilizes advanced solar, battery, aerospace, and carbon fiber technologies to deliver cost-effective payload capabilities—well below satellite launch costs—while ensuring precise stationkeeping, landing, and recovery. Responsibilities encompass the program’s entirety: directing a skilled team, overseeing contracts and budgets, guiding research and development, and coordinating testing, manufacturing, and logistics.
Outpacing industry giants despite maintaining a razor-thin budget and a compact team through relentless effort.
Holding regular strategy sessions with NASA and the DoD, while writing, submitting, and securing Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts.
Overseeing every facet of the $16M program and driving progress toward revolutionary milestones.
Challenging the team to develop and implement cutting-edge technologies, like Starlink SATCOM, to achieve program objectives and solve inherently difficult problems.
Leading the charge to establish a second global operating site, unlocking winter flight opportunities for enhanced flexibility and long term scale.
Nightingale Intelligent Systems, Inc. – Newark, California August 2020 – November 2024
Technical Program Director
Joined a security drone-in-box startup amid the COVID-19 pandemic, backed by an initial funding of 3.5 million USD (totaling 8.6 million USD). Successfully facilitated the company's public listing on the ASX (ASX:NGL) in November 2022. Held oversight of various divisions, encompassing R&D, manufacturing, and testing. Implemented strategies that led to tripling team sizes and ensuring the adoption of optimal operational practices for enhanced effectiveness and efficiency. Additionally, provided support across critical areas such as HR, finance, marketing, and software development.
Responsible for building and implementing a roadmap for the company across software and hardware teams, working directly with CEO and CTO to determine critical pivot opportunities to compete in the industry, including monthly business reviews, future projects, and resource management.
Major R&D projects include AC implementation, portable drone, base system upgrades, development of improved power management board, Block 3 drone, unique radar module for obstacle avoidance, and passive acoustics technologies.
Build and manage a team to develop Nightingale’s web based ‘Fleet Management’ system, which successfully organized all hardware and software inventory with revisions and history; FM also provides customer and fleet status, drone flight history and build pipeline.
File military RFIs and submissions for grants and contracts and continue to manage international and domestic contracts.
Responsible for all product international and domestic logistics; Export licenses, SLIs, Tax IDs and battery shipping regulations.
Handle company administration including building management, HR, business license, rent, facilities, security, and maintenance.
Sirius Engineering llc. – San Carlos, California September 2018 – March 2020
Engineering Project Manager
Led the Trans-Abdominal Strap project team in the development of a laparoscopic hernia repair system and device. Oversaw extensive research and development efforts, focusing on medical device innovation, process patenting, and the refinement of surgical tools, including implantable suture replacements.
Successful Phase I exit in December 2018 and Phase II exit in July 2019.
Lead multi-million-dollar project from industrial concept to 510(k) submittal and market production; rapidly prototyping, testing and iterating to the final product.
Received patent for an innovative solution to attaching polyester Dacron to Nylon, being a vital component to the product.
Worked on stents, cannualas, lab manufacturing tools, nitinol products and prototypes, injection molding, biological materials.
Fresenius Medical Devices – Concord, California February 2017 – September 2018
Mechanical Engineer Contractor - Promoted to R&D Senior Mechanical Engineer
Initially hired as a contractor, assumed comprehensive oversight of all facets concerning Fresenius' novel portable dialysis machine. Presented plans, designs, and budgets to the executive team. Subsequently transitioned to a full-time role and demonstrated exceptional leadership in spearheading cross-functional team initiatives. Collaborated effectively with the executive team, engineers, marketing professionals, and manufacturing specialists.
Dialysis machine peripherals; cart, line holder, machine base, packaging, and attachment devices.
Trained and fluent in medical device design control processes and workflow.
Strategically used back pressure technique to prevent needing paint for high quantity injection molding.
Extensive packaging design and ASTM testing.
European X-Ray Free-Electron Laser (XFEL) – Hamburg, Germany September 2012 – December 2016
Instrument Engineer Lead on SPB Team (Single Particles, Clusters, and Biomolecules)
Initially joined with limited familiarity with the science and engineering behind free-electron lasers. Quickly learned and evolved into an expert within the field, becoming a valuable asset to the SPB team. Held sole responsibility for the design and integration of mechanical systems and components for the project. Ensured all optical conditioning instruments and sensors met stringent requirements, including ultra-high vacuum conditions, thermal management, vibration tolerances, and precise alignment control.
Design, prototype, test, and implement a unique HV to UHV differential pumping chamber.
Technical design and management of instruments and systems for free electron lasers and photon science
Managed international vendors for +1M dollar projects for quotes and validation testing.
Work with world leading physicists on revolutionary science experiments, proposals, and papers.
H-Square Co. – Santa Clara, California October 2011 – May 2012
Mechanical Engineer Contractor - Promoted to Lead Mechanical Engineer
Designed silicon wafer handling tools, cassettes, transfer units, grippers, vacuum wands.
Solved industry problems and improved fully automated units, ranging from $200 - $30,000.
Worked mainly with Inventor CAD, PLCs, and electrical schematics.
Solyndra, Inc. – Fremont, California June 2010 – August 2011
Automation Engineer - Promoted to Systems Engineer
Worked directly on the installation and maintenance of KUKAs manufacturing robotics and Muratec’s automatic storage and retrieval system; received certificates from KUKA College in Michigan.
Transitioned to systems team and worked on a custom slip ring, wiring onsite control boxes, and back-up battery systems.
Experience with Sputter tools and other solar deposition processes.
Designed new factory's lid carts capable of holding 4 Sputter tool lids at 500lbs each.
Internships
Laser Devices Inc. – Monterey, California Summer 2009
Mechanical Design Engineer Intern
Company designs and builds aiming lasers for the military and law enforcement.
Designed and improved multiple laser modules; experience in IR and high powered lasers.
Made electrical installation schematics for assembly and quality control.
Kiewit Pacific – Southern California Summers 2006, 2007, 2008
Project Manager Intern for 3 summers
Worked on three different multimillion dollar projects. Head of multiple large mechanical and civil operations.
Reviewed plans, designed construction procedures, ordered and rented large equipment.
Other Jobs
Airborne Turbine, Inc. – San Luis Obispo 2003 - 2010
Mechanic Assistant
Reassembled and disassembled Russian fighter jets and helicopters for sale to the public.
Understanding of aviation systems to resist vibration, electrical, and mechanical issues.
Experience working with machinery on an airport with limited airstrip access.
Part out specific pieces for global shipment; practice with shipping techniques and crate building.
San Clemente City Ocean Lifeguard 2000 - 2005
Ocean Lifeguard
Graduated first in class from training.
Seasonal Junior Lifeguard instructor with multiple classes of approximately 20 children. Performed pier jumps, surf lessons, rip current training, enviromental training, and first aid training.
Made progress towards senior full-time lifeguard
Took initiative to learn all aspects of the operation, including; boat rescues, dive rescues, PWC operator, and Jeep maintenance.
Education
California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo March 2010
Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
Financed 40% of college expenses – working 15 to 20 hours per week
Professional Skills and Leadership
Technology: SolidWorks, Multiple 3D Printers, Ansys FEA, Solid Edge, Inventor, AutoCAD, PLC, MatLab,
Embedded Systems and Motorola Assembly Language
Languages: English (Native), German, Spanish (Basic), Portuguese (Learning) - US and EU Citizenship
Other: Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, leadership, and communication skills.
Expired FCC Radio Technician Certified - KJ6FEF
Public Relations Officer: Cal Poly Robotics Club September 2007 – March 2008
President: CalPoly Inventor’s Club 2008 & 2009
Member: Solyndra ERT