Mechanical Design Engineer

Hello, I'm
David Rappe

Designer of quality machines

Mechanical engineer specializing in design, CAD, GD&T, and quality. Creator of historically accurate ancient jewelry and medieval crossbows.

3+
Years Experience
15+
Projects
David Rappe

Work Experience

My journey through a career of mechanical engineering, design, and autonomous vehicles.

2024 — Present

Mechanical Design Engineer

Daimler Truck North America

Use GD&T and CAD to create technical specifications and drawings for mechanical parts while coordinating cross-functional teams of engineers and suppliers. Manage DTNA parts database for small parts optimization; consolidation of parts to reduce cost and increase design efficiency.

GD&T CAD Technical Specifications Continuous Improvement
2022 — 2024

Quality Engineer

Daimler Truck North America

Reviewed electric vehicles, autonomous trucks, cameras and sensors, and other electrical hardware for safety and manufacturability. PFMEA expert. Pioneered APIS software usage and training. Managed simultaneous projects using MS Teams, cPlace, and SharePoint.

Lean PFMEA Six Sigma Quality APIS
2020 — 2020

Contractor

Knowmadics Inc

Supported training activities for Army and Navy Special Operations units. Cannot detail; signed NDA.

Military Contracting Training

Featured Projects

A showcase of some of my completed projects.

2021

Portal Uprights

OSU Baja

Portal Upright Design 1
Portal Upright Design 2
Portal Upright Design 3

Designed portal uprights for the OSU Baja off-road car, modeled with SolidWorks and Siemens NX. Performed FEA and FMEAs to choose the most efficient materials and finalize a robust design.

SolidWorks Siemens NX FEA CNC
2021

Mechatronic Cat Toy

Educational

Created robotic cat toy with three phases, depending on how close the cat is. Programmed Arduino and custom-made my own circuit, employing motors and sensors.

Arduino Electrical Engineering Mechatronics
2024

Medieval Crossbow

Personal Project

Medieval Crossbow

Created this historically accurate medieval crossbow using carpentry skills. Planed down ash wood for the bow, made bowstring with linen and beeswax. Shoots accurately up to 50 yards, penetrating plywood.

Carpentry Historical Crafting
2025

Ancient Greek Necklace

Personal Project

Ancient Greek Necklace - Finished
Ancient Greek Necklace - Start
Ancient Greek Necklace - Work in Progress

Created an historically accurate ancient Greek necklace using the same methods. Over one-thousand silver links, each individually formed, annealed, and quenched in acid to change the crystalline structure.

Metalworking Metallurgy Jewelry Making

Get In Touch

Contact me for collaborations and opportunities. Don't be afraid to reach out.