MICHAEL VALIQUETTE JR.

Product Design Engineer | Innovator | Patent Holder

Transforming complex engineering challenges into elegant, manufacturable solutions.
20 years of turning ideas into reality.

View My Work Get In Touch
20 Years Experience
2 Patents Held
$1,000,000+ Cost Savings Delivered

About Me

I'm a Product Design Engineer who thrives at the intersection of innovation, precision, and practicality. With over a decade of experience in mechanical design and manufacturing optimization, I transform complex technical challenges into elegant, manufacturable solutions.

My work spans from custom tooling solutions at Sandvik Coromant to personal inventions that have earned patents. I specialize in bridging the gap between concept and production, ensuring every design is not just innovative but also cost-effective and scalable.

What drives me? The thrill of solving problems that others find impossible. Whether it's reducing a 24-hour process to 10 minutes or optimizing machining operations to improve efficiency and save costs, I bring a unique blend of technical expertise, creative thinking, and relentless attention to detail.

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Award-Winning Problem-Solver

National Top 5 Salesman & Productivity Analyzer of the Year

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Patent Holder

2 patents in advanced tooling and innovative beverage technology

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Technical Excellence

Expert in CAD, 3D printing, precision machining, and automation

Michael Valiquette Jr.

Why I'm Your Next Product Engineer

Someone who can design products with manufacturing and tolerancing in mind, because I fully understand what it takes to make them.

While Other Engineers Go Home and Watch Netflix...

I go home and machine parts. I literally do the job you're hiring for, on my own dime, because I'm truly passionate about it.

After working as a machinist, a tooling representative, and a design engineer, I have a deep understanding of the entire product development process—from concept to manufacturing. I don't just design products; I make them, test them, and iterate until they're perfect.

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I Built My Own Shop

When I left the machine shop floor for sales, I didn't stop building. I took my commissions and bought a CNC mill, manual lathe, and industrial tooling. I converted my home shop (which I also built myself) into a prototyping lab with 3D printers, woodworking equipment, and electronics stations.

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I Don't Just Design—I Make

My Cold Brew Coffee Maker patent? I did the math, designed the components, machined the metal parts, 3D printed the plastic components, built an anodizing station to finish the aluminum parts, designed custom PCBs, soldered the boards, and wrote the Arduino code. End to end.

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I Understand "Remarkable"

My Vellum & Flame humidors aren't just boxes—they're climate-controlled vaults using classic joinery techniques that manage wood movement. I understand the frustration of prototypes that fail and the time and effort required to sand a part until it looks injection-molded.

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I Move Fast

At Sandvik, I built an entire continuous improvement system using PowerApps and Power Automate—automating idea submission, approval routing, and KPI tracking. I don't wait for solutions to be handed to me. I go find solutions, build them, and implement them.

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I See What Could Be Better

When I use a product, I don't just see how to use it—I see how it could be better. I see the design decisions that went into it and the trade-offs that were made. I see the manufacturing processes that could be optimized. I see the user experience that could be improved. I don't just use products—I analyze them and think about how to make them better.

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I'm a Professional Maker

I don't need external management to stay on-task. I don't need you to teach me how to be a Maker—I already am one. I just need a place where I can do it at scale, with people who actually care about making great products.

What You're Actually Getting:

  • Someone who earned their way into Design Engineering through competence—no degree, just results
  • A man who's been teaching himself design and engineering principles since he was a pre-teen simply because he loves it
  • A patent holder who knows what it takes to go from "this should exist" to "why didn't this exist before"
  • An engineer who actually knows how parts are made because I've made thousands of them
  • Someone who iterates relentlessly—my humidor and coffee maker had dozens of revisions because good enough isn't good enough
  • A self-directed maker who converted sales commissions into a personal prototyping lab

What are we going to make together?

Technical Arsenal

A comprehensive toolkit refined through years of hands-on engineering excellence

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Design & CAD

NX (Siemens) Expert
Fusion 360 Expert
Autodesk Inventor Expert
SolidWorks Advanced
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Manufacturing & Prototyping

3D Printing Technology Expert
Precision Machining Class A
CNC Programming Intermediate
Prototyping Expert
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Process Optimization

Cost Reduction Strategies Expert
Process Automation (RPA) Advanced
Feasibility Analysis Expert
Materials Selection Advanced
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Technology & Automation

Microsoft Power Platform Champion
Computer Systems Building Advanced
UI/UX Development Proficient
Technical Problem-Solving Exceptional

Featured Projects

From concept sketches to production-ready designs

Vacuum Brewed Beverage Apparatus
Patented Innovation

Vacuum Brewed Beverage Apparatus

Personal Innovation | Patent US10624491B1

Standard cold brew takes 24 hours and often tastes tangy. I engineered a vacuum-based apparatus that cycles pressure to force extraction rapidly without heat—turning a passive, day-long process into an active, 10-minute physics experiment. I didn't just design it: I did the vacuum extraction math, machined the metal, 3D printed plastics, built a chemical anodizing station for the finish, designed custom PCBs, and wrote the Arduino firmware. Better coffee, faster. Also: did you know cool water boils in a vacuum?

Impact: 95% time reduction in brew process
Technologies: CAD Design, Prototyping, Patent Engineering
Vellum & Flame Heirloom Humidor
Product Design Craftsmanship Premium

Vellum & Flame Heirloom Humidor

Personal Brand | Climate-Controlled Precision

Frustrated by cheap veneer-on-MDF construction in many well known humidors and inspired by my love of premium cigars, I designed a climate-controlled vault using classic box joinery techniques that manage wood movement under varying humidity. Built to be passed down for generations - because good cigars deserve engineering, not marketing.

Impact: Traditional joinery + optimized climate control for heirloom quality
Brand: Created 'Vellum & Flame' as artisan product line
Tool Holder & Parting Tool
Patented Industrial

Tool Holder & Parting/Grooving Tool

Sandvik Coromant | Patent US20240100608A1

Advanced indexable turret tooling solution designed to optimize modern machining processes. Contributed to significant cost-effective and high-performance manufacturing results.

Impact: Enhanced tool life & production efficiency
Technologies: Advanced Machining, Precision Engineering
Custom Tooling Solutions
CAD Design Manufacturing

Custom Tooling Solutions

Sandvik Coromant | Design Engineering

Design of carbide cutting inserts optimized for specific manufacturing applications. Focus on manufacturability, cost-efficiency, and performance.

Impact: Customized solutions for unique manufacturing challenges
Technologies: Siemens NX, Material Selection, Testing
3D Printing Implementation
3D Printing Innovation

In-House 3D Printing Solutions

Sandvik Coromant | Process Innovation

Implemented comprehensive in-house 3D printing capabilities, dramatically reducing outsourcing costs and accelerating prototyping timelines. Built systems and trained team members.

Impact: Eliminated outsourcing delays & costs
Technologies: FDM/SLA Printing, Material Testing
Technical Drawings & Documentation
Technical Documentation

Technical Documentation & Drawings

Engineering Documentation

Comprehensive technical drawings and documentation for patent applications and manufacturing specifications. Precision communication of complex mechanical systems.

Expertise: GD&T, Technical Illustration, Specs
Tools: CAD Software, Standards Compliance
Easley Shop Build
Personal Project Workshop

Easley Shop Build

Personal Infrastructure | Prototyping Lab

Built a complete workshop from the ground up with my wife—a full construction project that transformed our vision into reality. We laid the concrete block structure, built the framing, installed windows and doors, added vinyl siding (per HOA requirements), installed shingles, eaves, and soffit, pulled electrical wire throughout, installed lighting, outlets, and panels, added insulation, and finished with drywall. The result: a fully-equipped makerspace featuring a small CNC mill, 3D printers, precision tools, and electronics stations—enabling rapid prototyping and iterative design validation for personal projects and innovations. End-to-end project management and hands-on execution.

Scope: End-to-end shop design and equipment integration
Capabilities: CNC Milling, 3D Printing, Electronics, Woodworking

Patent Portfolio

Innovative solutions recognized and protected by the United States Patent Office

US10624491B1

Vacuum Brewed Beverage Apparatus

Individual Patent Holder

A revolutionary vacuum-based cold brew coffee system that reduces traditional brew times from 12-24 hours to just 7-10 minutes. The apparatus utilizes carefully controlled vacuum pressure to accelerate extraction while maintaining the smooth, low-acid profile characteristic of cold brew coffee.

Key Innovations:

  • Precision vacuum control system for optimal extraction
  • Custom-designed brewing chamber with integrated filtration
  • Temperature-regulated process for consistent results
  • Food-safe materials and easy-clean design

Technical Achievement:

Combined principles of vacuum extraction, thermal dynamics, and fluid mechanics to create a consumer-friendly appliance. Required extensive prototyping, material testing, and process refinement.

Filed: 2019 Granted: 2020 Field: Food & Beverage Technology
US20240100608A1

Tool Holder & Parting and Grooving Tool for an Indexable Turret

Sandvik Coromant AB

An advanced tooling system designed to optimize modern CNC machining operations. This innovation addresses critical challenges in indexable turret applications, improving tool stability, repeatability, and overall machining efficiency.

Key Innovations:

  • Enhanced clamping mechanism for superior tool retention
  • Optimized geometry for reduced vibration and improved surface finish
  • Modular design allowing rapid tool changes
  • Improved chip evacuation for extended tool life

Technical Achievement:

Developed through extensive collaboration with manufacturing partners and rigorous testing in production environments. The design balances competing demands of rigidity, accessibility, and cost-effectiveness while delivering measurable improvements in machining performance.

Filed: 2023 Status: Published Application Field: Manufacturing & Tooling

Professional Journey

Design Engineer

Sandvik Coromant July 2019 – Present

Leading the development of custom tooling solutions that optimize manufacturability and production efficiency. Spearheading cross-functional collaboration and innovation initiatives.

  • Spearheaded development of custom tooling solutions, optimizing manufacturability & production efficiency
  • Led cross-functional collaboration with sales & manufacturing to create innovative solutions
  • Conducted feasibility studies & cost analysis, ensuring superior product quality & manufacturability
  • Provided technical training & mentorship, elevating customer competency in advanced tooling applications
  • Implemented in-house 3D printing solutions, cutting outsourcing costs & improving prototyping speed
Product Design CAD Modeling 3D Printing Feasibility Analysis

Territory Productivity Engineer

Sandvik Coromant June 2014 – July 2019

Partnered with manufacturing clients to optimize machining processes through customized tooling solutions, consistently exceeding performance targets.

  • Partnered with manufacturing clients to optimize machining processes through customized tooling solutions
  • Designed & refined precision machining operations, reducing cycle times & increasing tool life
  • Conducted live product demonstrations & hands-on training to enhance customer adoption & operational efficiency
  • Analyzed machining challenges to develop tailored solutions, improving precision & productivity
  • Implemented process optimizations, consistently exceeding 20% cost savings goals across sales territory
Process Optimization Technical Training Cost Reduction Client Relations

Machinist

Kurt Manufacturing November 2010 – June 2014

Developed expertise in precision machining and manufacturing processes while contributing to product improvements and efficiency gains.

  • Engineered modifications to lathe components, reducing operator interventions & increasing consistency
  • Programmed CNC equipment to optimize cycle times & enhance production efficiency
  • Conducted tooling analysis, identifying improvements that cut costs while maintaining high quality
  • Collaborated with design engineers to refine product manufacturability & improve efficiency
CNC Programming Precision Machining Quality Control Process Improvement

Recognition & Awards

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Indexable Drilling Productivity Analyzer of the Year

Sandvik Coromant | 2016

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National Top 5 Salesman of the Year

Sandvik Coromant | 2016

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National Top 25 Salesman of the Year

Sandvik Coromant | 2017

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1st Place – Minnesota Skills USA Competition

Automotive Service Technology | 2006

Let's Build Something Amazing

Ready to tackle your next engineering challenge? I'm always interested in innovative projects and opportunities.

Email

valimichael84@gmail.com

Phone

(612) 719-9181

Location

Easley, SC

What I Bring to Your Team:

  • 20 years of proven product design excellence
  • Patent-holding innovator with track record of breakthrough solutions
  • Expert in CAD, 3D printing, and advanced manufacturing
  • Consistent delivery of 20%+ cost savings through process optimization
  • Award-winning technical problem solver
  • Self-motivated professional who thrives independently