Momentum - November 2017 - 22
SAE NETWORKING
DOSSIER: MAX MITCHELL OF
PROGRESSIVE SUSPENSION
HIGHLIGHTED IN THIS ISSUE'S DOSSIER is Max Mitchell,
a development engineer at Progressive Suspension. The
company is an aftermarket supplier of such components
as forks and shocks for motorcycles-specifically the
V-twin market. There, he tests new product designs and
prototypes before they are released for sale.
"I'm the first one who gets to touch new parts and try
them out by testing in our lab and on the motorcycles,"
he said. "I give my feedback to the design engineers
who will tweak it so I can test it again until it meets our
goals. When we are really heavy into development and
tuning I get to spend a lot of time riding motorcycles
which is fun, but it is work and requires extensive reports
afterward to make sure all feedback is recorded."
Max graduated from California State Polytechnic
University of Pomona (Cal Poly Pomona) in 2015 with a
degree in mechanical engineering.
Max Mitchell drives the Cal Poly Pomona car in the Endurance event at Baja SAE
Auburn in 2015.
Why did you decide to become an engineer?
I always enjoyed working on cars, bikes and other mechanical things. I
really just wanted to be a mechanic because I was never good at math.
I don't remember when exactly, but I decided that I wanted to be the
person that designed and built the parts that go on cars and bikes,
instead of just someone who installed them. I still enjoy working on my
own car and bikes, but I no longer want to keep my career path in the
automotive industry now that I realize how big a field engineering can be.
Lucky for me, I am pretty good with math and physics now, so I'm always
seeing the things we use every day in a much different manner.
To what character traits do you attribute your success to date?
I would say my perseverance and a positive outlook. I'm rarely in a bad
mood or pessimistic about anything and I'm always thinking of the
good things. It takes a lot to get me down and even when I have a lot
going on I actually get more motivated. Even when I make mistakes I
try not to let them get to me and treat them as learning experiences
more than anything.
This is one of the few moments that Max had downtime at Baja SAE
Auburn, 2015.
22 November 2017
Of what accomplishment are you most proud?
I'm still really proud of the success of the Baja SAE team during my
last year in school. I told myself I wasn't going to be as involved that
year and in many ways I wasn't but I'm glad I decided to stay with the
program. At the first competition of the season (Auburn, Alabama) I
presented in the Sales Presentation, was a major lead in the Design
event, and I also drove several dynamic events including the endurance
MOMENTUM
Momentum - November 2017
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Momentum - November 2017
Momentum - November 2017
Contents
A Leader on Leadership
Briefs
All About Endurance
U of M-Dearborn Students Engineer New Autonomous Shuttle System
Air Superiority
Lending a Helping (Engineering) Hand
Spartan Power
Photo Contest Winner
Rolls-Royce Looks to Corner Commercial Markets, Military Next
Mack Hits the Highway With Style and Technology
Cadillac Plugs in Ct6 for High-Value Efficiency
Autonomous Driving Rules the Day at Sae
World’s Most Exciting Mobility Startups to Be at La Comotion
Dossier: Max Mitchell of Progressive Suspension
Follow Your Heat
Momentum - November 2017 - Momentum - November 2017
Momentum - November 2017 - Cover2
Momentum - November 2017 - Contents
Momentum - November 2017 - A Leader on Leadership
Momentum - November 2017 - Briefs
Momentum - November 2017 - All About Endurance
Momentum - November 2017 - 5
Momentum - November 2017 - 6
Momentum - November 2017 - U of M-Dearborn Students Engineer New Autonomous Shuttle System
Momentum - November 2017 - Air Superiority
Momentum - November 2017 - 9
Momentum - November 2017 - 10
Momentum - November 2017 - Lending a Helping (Engineering) Hand
Momentum - November 2017 - Spartan Power
Momentum - November 2017 - 13
Momentum - November 2017 - Photo Contest Winner
Momentum - November 2017 - Rolls-Royce Looks to Corner Commercial Markets, Military Next
Momentum - November 2017 - Mack Hits the Highway With Style and Technology
Momentum - November 2017 - 17
Momentum - November 2017 - 18
Momentum - November 2017 - Cadillac Plugs in Ct6 for High-Value Efficiency
Momentum - November 2017 - Autonomous Driving Rules the Day at Sae
Momentum - November 2017 - World’s Most Exciting Mobility Startups to Be at La Comotion
Momentum - November 2017 - Dossier: Max Mitchell of Progressive Suspension
Momentum - November 2017 - 23
Momentum - November 2017 - Follow Your Heat
Momentum - November 2017 - Cover3
Momentum - November 2017 - Cover4
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