Mechanical Engineering Services
The Apollo
Difference
“No problem can be solved by the same consciousness that created it.
We need to see the world anew.”
– Albert Einstein
WE ARE…
a team of mechanical engineers specializing in Finite Element Analysis (FEA), Dynamics Analysis, and complicated Machine Design. We are experienced in designing and analyzing automated lift systems, roller coaster lifts, ride vehicles, and ride propulsion systems. Our team includes professional engineers, mechanical engineers, and design engineers. We pride ourselves on finding the weak points in a design and proposing unique and cost-effective ways to solve them.
UNIQUE.
We take a different approach to the standard engineering and design team. We eliminated the traditional office space. Our team is decentralized and agile. This approach provides Apollo with access to high-end engineering/design talent independent of geography. We collaborate using advanced chat and video conferencing software. This approach has proven to be more effective than traditional office environments and allows our team to more effectively work away from home (e.g. client visits, site visits) and outside of traditional business hours. The advantage: an increased capacity to meet emergency client deadlines, and the ability to effectively interact with clients around the globe, regardless of time zone.
Josh Adams, P.E. - Founding Principal
Apollo Engineering Design Group is owned and operated by Josh Adams, a native of Utah. After 8 years engineering products for companies such as Lockheed Martin, John Deere, S&S Worldwide, and the United States Air Force at Hill Air Force Base, Josh founded Apollo Engineering Design Group, LLC in 2014.
Josh has expertise in Mechanical Stress/Strain Analysis, Machine Design, Regulatory Compliance, Value Engineering, and Design for Manufacturability. He has a broad mechanical background with experience designing amusement rides, autonomous robots, heavy construction equipment, investment casting, and aircraft landing gear. He has experience designing test equipment, gauging test assets, and gathering and analyzing data. In addition, he has specific expertise with ASTM F24 and EN 13184 standards governing the design and engineering of amusement ride equipment. Josh is a licensed Professional Engineer and has overall responsibility for Apollo projects assuring technical accuracy, quality of deliverables, and customer satisfaction.
Steve Foster - Business Development Manager
Steve joined the Apollo team in December 2020 as Director of Operations. He has been in an operations capacity the majority of his career. He brings years of experience in transformational leadership and emotional intelligence to the company. He is a former Associate Dean of Business, for a higher education institution. He has retail experience from operations management to store management level. Steve has experienced explosive sales growths, has a flawless record of performance, and lives by strict operational governance. He believes in a consistent delivery of “WOW” team and customer experiences. Because of his skill as an educator and operator, he is able to leverage both traits, so any business will be more productive and more profitable.
Jon Scott, P.E. - Senior Engineer
Jon Scott joined the Apollo team in Sep 2021 bringing with him 10 years of industry experience. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer who graduated with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, in 2012 from Brigham Young University focusing on Material Science. He has expertise in Mechanical Stress/Strain Analysis, Finite Element Analysis, Fatigue Analysis, Composite Design and Design for Manufacturability. Has a wide range of experience working on large multi-team projects such as GBSD, NASA’s Space Launch System and the Joint Strike Fighter, as well as experience working with customer facing companies converting concepts to world class products. He is fluent with NX, CATIA, ANSYS, PTC MathCAD and Solidworks and has experience in Aerospace, Tooling, Injection Molding Composites and Ballistics industries.
Nick Huld - Sales Engineer
Nick joined the Apollo team in June 2019 after completing his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Utah State University. Nick’s previous work experience includes 3D modeling instruction and mechanical design in the environmental instrumentation industry. Nick received training in GD&T (ASME) Y14.5-2009 as well as machining and welding processes; he is experienced in 3D design and drafting in SolidWorks and Siemens NX. As an avid learner and hobbyist, Nick is involved with projects in radio controlled and autonomous robotics and continues to take courses in the mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines.
Lee Wilcken - Mechanical Engineer
Lee became part of the Apollo Engineering team in June of 2017. In addition to his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah, Lee also received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Southern Utah University. Lee’s previous work experience is in 3D modeling, medical devices, quality, customer service and sales. He also has experience in Finite Element Analysis, design of experiments, statistical analysis, and mathematical modeling in Matlab and Simulink environments. Lee has experience writing code in several programming languages including C++, R, and Visual Basic.
Braedin Butler - Associate Mechanical Engineer
Braedin Butler is an Associate Mechanical Engineer at Apollo Engineering Design Group. He is skilled and confident in the full life cycle of a project, from concept design to fabrication, all while utilizing AutoCAD software programs. Aside from his career, he likes to spend time working on personal projects. When not at work he is a paraglider pilot. His engineering experience helped him develop a flight instrument called a variometer, also known as a vertical speed indicator. Work and flying are passions, but his priority is his family and having fun with them.
Devan Davis -Associate Mechanical Engineer
Devan Davis graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has designed and engineered projects for various industries and has experience in machine design, robotics, product design, and machine vision. Devan has led automation projects, is highly skilled in SolidWorks, and utilizes ANSYS, MathCAD, and vision software. Devan is also an experienced metal fabricator with skills in welding and machining. In his spare time, he likes dirt biking, snowboarding, white water rafting, and traveling.
Barak Stephens - Engineering Technician
Barak Stephens is currently an intern with Apollo Engineering Design Group. He is studying Mechanical Engineering at Utah State University. He is proficient and certified in SolidWorks and currently constructs drafts and assists in the design of projects. He greatly values integrity thinks agreements are an expression of trust and finds fulfillment in maintaining and expanding that trust. When he is not drafting for Apollo or studying, he is either spending time with his wife, playing disc golf, or scrambling in the mountains somewhere.
Dylan Petersen - Mechanical Engineering Intern
Dylan Petersen is a Mechanical Engineering intern. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree at Utah State University and plans to continue his education by pursuing a master's degree with an emphasis in robotics. He has previously worked as an intern for Autoliv where he gained experience in research and development. He is certified in SolidWorks and has experience in Python, Java, Android Studio, Arduino, PLCs, motor controls, composites, electronics, and other areas. Outside of work and school he enjoys reading, playing guitar, playing card and board games, and spending time with his wife and family.
Josh Adams, P.E. - Founding Principal
Apollo Engineering Design Group is owned and operated by Josh Adams, a native of Utah. After 8 years engineering products for companies such as Lockheed Martin, John Deere, S&S Worldwide, and the United States Air Force at Hill Air Force Base, Josh founded Apollo Engineering Design Group, LLC in 2014.
Josh has expertise in Mechanical Stress/Strain Analysis, Machine Design, Regulatory Compliance, Value Engineering, and Design for Manufacturability. He has a broad mechanical background with experience designing amusement rides, autonomous robots, heavy construction equipment, investment casting, and aircraft landing gear. He has experience designing test equipment, gauging test assets, and gathering and analyzing data. In addition, he has specific expertise with ASTM F24 and EN 13184 standards governing the design and engineering of amusement ride equipment. Josh is a licensed Professional Engineer and has overall responsibility for Apollo projects assuring technical accuracy, quality of deliverables, and customer satisfaction.
Steve Foster - Director of Operations
Steve joined the Apollo team in December 2020 as Director of Operations. He has been in an operations capacity the majority of his career. He brings years of experience in transformational leadership and emotional intelligence to the company. He is a former Associate Dean of Business, for a higher education institution. He has retail experience from operations management to store management level. Steve has experienced explosive sales growths, has a flawless record of performance, and lives by strict operational governance. He believes in a consistent delivery of “WOW” team and customer experiences. Because of his skill as an educator and operator, he is able to leverage both traits, so any business will be more productive and more profitable.
Jon Scott- P.E.
Jon Scott joined the Apollo team in Sep 2021 bringing with him 10 years of industry experience. He is a Licensed Professional Engineer who graduated with a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, in 2012 from Brigham Young University focusing on Material Science. He has expertise in Mechanical Stress/Strain Analysis, Finite Element Analysis, Fatigue Analysis, Composite Design and Design for Manufacturability. Has a wide range of experience working on large multi-team projects such as GBSD, NASA’s Space Launch System and the Joint Strike Fighter, as well as experience working with customer facing companies converting concepts to world class products. He is fluent with NX, CATIA, ANSYS, PTC MathCAD and Solidworks and has experience in Aerospace, Tooling, Injection Molding Composites and Ballistics industries.
Nick Huld - Sales Engineer
Nick joined the Apollo team in June 2019 after completing his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering at Utah State University. Nick’s previous work experience includes 3D modeling instruction and mechanical design in the environmental instrumentation industry. Nick received training in GD&T (ASME) Y14.5-2009 as well as machining and welding processes; he is experienced in 3D design and drafting in SolidWorks and Siemens NX. As an avid learner and hobbyist, Nick is involved with projects in radio controlled and autonomous robotics and continues to take courses in the mechanical and electrical engineering disciplines.
Lee Wilcken - Mechanical Engineer
Lee became part of the Apollo Engineering team in June of 2017. In addition to his Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Utah, Lee also received a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from Southern Utah University. Lee’s previous work experience is in 3D modeling, medical devices, quality, customer service and sales. He also has experience in Finite Element Analysis, design of experiments, statistical analysis, and mathematical modeling in Matlab and Simulink environments. Lee has experience writing code in several programming languages including C++, R, and Visual Basic.
Braedin Butler - Associate Mechanical Engineer
Braedin Butler is an Associate Mechanical Engineer at Apollo Engineering Design Group. He is skilled and confident in the full life cycle of a project, from concept design to fabrication, all while utilizing AutoCAD software programs. Aside from his career, he likes to spend time working on personal projects. When not at work he is a paraglider pilot. His engineering experience helped him develop a flight instrument called a variometer, also known as a vertical speed indicator. Work and flying are passions, but his priority is his family and having fun with them.
Dylan Petersen -Associate Mechanical Engineering
Devan Davis graduated from Utah State University with a bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering. He has designed and engineered projects for various industries and has experience in machine design, robotics, product design, and machine vision. Devan has led automation projects, is highly skilled in SolidWorks, and utilizes ANSYS, MathCAD, and vision software. Devan is also an experienced metal fabricator with skills in welding and machining. In his spare time, he likes dirt biking, snowboarding, white water rafting, and traveling.
Barak Stephens - Engineering Technician
Barak Stephens is currently an intern with Apollo Engineering Design Group. He is studying Mechanical Engineering at Utah State University. He is proficient and certified in SolidWorks and currently constructs drafts and assists in the design of projects. He greatly values integrity thinks agreements are an expression of trust and finds fulfillment in maintaining and expanding that trust. When he is not drafting for Apollo or studying, he is either spending time with his wife, playing disc golf, or scrambling in the mountains somewhere.
Addison Litton - Engineering Technician
Addison Litton is a Mechanical Engineering intern, currently pursuing a master’s degree at Utah State University, in control theory and fluid mechanics. He has experience using SolidWorks, Ansys, and Smath to perform 3d design, modeling, and drafting projects. Outside of work and school he works around the house, including remodeling, gardening, and landscaping, and play board games with his friends.
Dylan Petersen - Mechanical Engineering Intern
Dylan Petersen is a Mechanical Engineering intern. He is currently pursuing a bachelor's degree at Utah State University and plans to continue his education by pursuing a master's degree with an emphasis in robotics. He has previously worked as an intern for Autoliv where he gained experience in research and development. He is certified in SolidWorks and has experience in Python, Java, Android Studio, Arduino, PLCs, motor controls, composites, electronics, and other areas. Outside of work and school he enjoys reading, playing guitar, playing card and board games, and spending time with his wife and family.