Celebrating Engineers Week: Meet Our R&D Engineers
Megan Mulholland | Waupaca FoundryEngineering shapes the world around us, often in ways we don’t even notice. At Waupaca Foundry, the Research & Development (R&D) group is dedicated to improving equipment and manufacturing processes to enhance safety, efficiency, and productivity. During National Engineers Week, we’re proud to introduce four of our R&D engineers and share their experiences and insights into what makes engineering at Waupaca Foundry unique.
Meet the R&D Engineers
People and Progress
Great engineering is finding solutions and understanding the people who will use those solutions while continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation.
"Engineering isn’t just about solving problems, it’s about understanding the people behind those problems,” Andrew said. “The best solutions come from listening first, then applying technical expertise to make a real impact."
"The beauty of engineering is in the constant evolution,” Curt added. “Every challenge is an opportunity to refine, innovate, and push the boundaries of what’s possible."
The Role of R&D at Waupaca Foundry
Unlike traditional product development, the R&D team at the Foundry focuses on optimizing equipment and manufacturing processes within the plants. Projects range from designing safer climbing systems to upgrading entire departments and industrial machines for improved working conditions.
Some examples of the responsibility of the R&D group at Waupaca Foundry include:
Collaboration of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Successful engineering projects require close collaboration between electrical and mechanical engineering teams. Whether designing automation cells with robotics or developing large-scale manufacturing systems, the engineers at Waupaca Foundry work together to ensure seamless integration of components.
“When we start a project, we define the goals together,” Haytham said. “The mechanical team determines layouts and components, while the electrical team designs the controls and power systems. We constantly communicate to ensure safety and efficiency.”
When reflecting on different projects they each worked on, the engineers agreed the impact that the outcome had on the plant and its employees was what mattered. “It was eye-opening to see how small design changes could make huge improvements,” Andrew said.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The R&D engineers at Waupaca Foundry are passionate about encouraging young people to explore engineering careers. They stress the importance of curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning.
“I didn’t even know what an engineer was when I was in high school,” Lincoln said. “But once I learned that it combined math, science, and building things, I knew it was the perfect fit for me.”
Students interested in engineering should reach out for job shadowing opportunities, school visits, or internships.
If you or someone you know is interested in an engineering career, speak with a guidance counselor, contact Waupaca Foundry’s HR department, or schedule a job shadow. Investing time in exploring this field can open doors to exciting and impactful career opportunities.
Foundries employ a wide range of engineering professionals to optimize production, maintain quality, and improve efficiency. Metallurgical engineers focus on material properties, ensuring metals meet strength and durability requirements. Industrial engineers analyze workflows and reduce waste, making production more efficient. An environmental engineer ensures regulatory compliance, manages air and water quality, handles hazardous materials, and oversees waste management. A team of manufacturing engineers focus on improving production efficiency, workflow, and automation.
At Waupaca Foundry, we recognize and appreciate the hard work of our engineers. Their dedication to problem-solving, innovation, and collaboration drives our company forward, making our lives easier and safer. This Engineers Week, appreciate an engineer today or encourage an aspiring engineer around you to pursue their dreams!
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Meet the R&D Engineers
- Curt Literski – Senior Project Engineer with 33 years at Waupaca Foundry. His career began with an interest in mechanical design and hands-on problem-solving, leading him to a role where he now manages multiple projects simultaneously, ensuring safety and efficiency across various plant operations.
- Andrew Lenz – Electrical Engineer: Andrew’s journey was inspired by his father’s career in electrical engineering. After exploring the field at technical college, he found a passion for automation and machine improvement and then continued his education receiving a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering technology. He works on integrating new electrical components and enhancing system efficiencies, contributing to innovative projects.
- Haytham Alsadeq – Electrical Manufacturing Engineering Manager: Haytham always enjoyed taking things apart and fixing them, leading him to a career in engineering. His work focuses on designing and maintaining electrical systems that support automation and process efficiency.
- Lincoln O’Brien – Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering Manager: Lincoln’s passion for math and science, combined with a love for hands-on work, led him to a career in mechanical engineering. An internship at Waupaca solidified his interest, and he has become a leader in developing mechanical solutions that enhance plant operations.
People and Progress
Great engineering is finding solutions and understanding the people who will use those solutions while continuously pushing the boundaries of innovation.
"Engineering isn’t just about solving problems, it’s about understanding the people behind those problems,” Andrew said. “The best solutions come from listening first, then applying technical expertise to make a real impact."
"The beauty of engineering is in the constant evolution,” Curt added. “Every challenge is an opportunity to refine, innovate, and push the boundaries of what’s possible."
The Role of R&D at Waupaca Foundry
Unlike traditional product development, the R&D team at the Foundry focuses on optimizing equipment and manufacturing processes within the plants. Projects range from designing safer climbing systems to upgrading entire departments and industrial machines for improved working conditions.
Some examples of the responsibility of the R&D group at Waupaca Foundry include:
- Writing detailed scopes of work for equipment installation, plumbing, and foundation projects.
- Identifying and mitigating risks in plant operations.
- Improving plant environments to enhance worker safety and reduce exposure to hazards.
- Designing and building custom equipment in-house rather than relying solely on external manufacturers.
Collaboration of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers
Successful engineering projects require close collaboration between electrical and mechanical engineering teams. Whether designing automation cells with robotics or developing large-scale manufacturing systems, the engineers at Waupaca Foundry work together to ensure seamless integration of components.
“When we start a project, we define the goals together,” Haytham said. “The mechanical team determines layouts and components, while the electrical team designs the controls and power systems. We constantly communicate to ensure safety and efficiency.”
When reflecting on different projects they each worked on, the engineers agreed the impact that the outcome had on the plant and its employees was what mattered. “It was eye-opening to see how small design changes could make huge improvements,” Andrew said.
Inspiring the Next Generation
The R&D engineers at Waupaca Foundry are passionate about encouraging young people to explore engineering careers. They stress the importance of curiosity, problem-solving, and hands-on learning.
“I didn’t even know what an engineer was when I was in high school,” Lincoln said. “But once I learned that it combined math, science, and building things, I knew it was the perfect fit for me.”
Students interested in engineering should reach out for job shadowing opportunities, school visits, or internships.
If you or someone you know is interested in an engineering career, speak with a guidance counselor, contact Waupaca Foundry’s HR department, or schedule a job shadow. Investing time in exploring this field can open doors to exciting and impactful career opportunities.
Foundries employ a wide range of engineering professionals to optimize production, maintain quality, and improve efficiency. Metallurgical engineers focus on material properties, ensuring metals meet strength and durability requirements. Industrial engineers analyze workflows and reduce waste, making production more efficient. An environmental engineer ensures regulatory compliance, manages air and water quality, handles hazardous materials, and oversees waste management. A team of manufacturing engineers focus on improving production efficiency, workflow, and automation.
At Waupaca Foundry, we recognize and appreciate the hard work of our engineers. Their dedication to problem-solving, innovation, and collaboration drives our company forward, making our lives easier and safer. This Engineers Week, appreciate an engineer today or encourage an aspiring engineer around you to pursue their dreams!
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