Mechanical & Systems Engineering | Innovative Prototypes & Hardware Solutions

Mission

At HMD, we are passionate about designing high-performance mechatronic systems that integrate mechanical, electrical, and control elements with energy-focused design strategies. By combining academic training, industry experience, project management, and lifelong experimentation, we approach early-stage R&D and prototype development with both analytical rigor and practical confidence ensuring designs are feasible, testable, and robust.

Approach

At the core of our R&D engineering service is a model-first, test driven workflow. Analytical modeling, simulation, and parametric CAD allow us to assess feasibility, optimize designs, and identify critical decisions early in the process. Once a concept is validated, we move to iterative prototype builds, hands-on assembly, and instrumented testing - leveraging in-house CNC machining of custom components and sourcing additional parts as needed.

For clients who already have design work completed or require support with manufacturing, integration, or reverse engineering, we adapt our workflow to provide targeted assistance, seamlessly integrating with existing processes while maintaining performance and quality standards.

Why Work with Us?

We provide a lean, agile R&D resource for teams and innovators seeking rapid, end-to-end prototype development without the overhead of full-time staff. By leveraging our approach, we ensure continuity between design, prototyping, and evaluation.

If desired, we collaborate closely with client teams, aligning processes and sharing insights to ensure smooth knowledge transfer and effective problem-solving throughout the project. Our broad experience in motorsports, mechatronics projects, and multi-domain engineering, we deliver rugged, practical prototypes that perform reliably in real-world conditions.

About the Founder

The founder of Hildreth Mechanical Design LLC, Noah Hildreth, has a long history on two wheels dating back to 2004. Years of racing motocross, cross-country enduros, and riding mountain bikes gave rise to a foundational intuition for the engineering principles he would later study formally.

Noah earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Kansas during which he participated in the Baja SAE and Formula SAE Electric design teams. Coupled with the coursework, these clubs were highly influential on his engineering growth where he primarily dealt with the powertrain aspects of both vehicles.

After graduating, his experience began as an engineering designer in the automotive industry, where he gained extensive experience with component design for high-volume production. Here, he found creative solutions given stringent vehicle packaging requirements, minimizing mass, and ensuring sufficient stiffness/natural frequency to sustain the vibrational loads.

Next, the founder was a Project Engineer for an aviation refueling manufacturer, with the responsibility to oversee both the engineering and project management aspects of assigned aviation refueler and ground support equipment vehicle builds. Engineering domains encountered included mechanical components, vehicle weight distributions, hydraulic/pneumatic systems, electrical controls systems, PLC programming, and vehicle manufacturing, testing, and debugging.

During the timeframe of his Project Engineer position, he earned a Master of Engineering in Energy Systems Engineering from the University of Michigan. Foundational intuition coupled with concurrent educational and industry experiences, the founder translates hands-on intuition into measurable, analytically grounded engineering solutions to complex R&D problems.