About

I’m Zachary Johnson, a Mechanical Engineer specialising in crane design, structural analysis, and process automation. With over a year of industry experience at Wolffkran, I focus on combining FEA, CAD, and Python automationto deliver practical solutions that save time, reduce costs, and enhance safety.

My work ranges from designing custom crane tethering systems that prevented an estimated £30K in destructive testing, to building automation tools that cut workflow times by 96% and are now fully embedded across my team.

I thrive in projects that sit at the intersection of engineering design, problem-solving, and technology, and I’m always looking to push efficiency, reliability, and creativity in engineering practice.

1.5+
Years Experience
96%
Workflow Time Saved
£30K+
Testing Costs Avoided
100%
Safety Compliance

Current Focus

Expanding my portfolio of design-intensive projects and building tools that bridge engineering, automation, and innovation. Open to opportunities in design engineering, product development, and R&D where I can deliver both technical accuracy and workflow impact.

Experience

Graduate Engineer

Wolffkran Ltd

Feb 2024 — Present

Wolffkran Ltd Logo

Driving innovation in crane design, structural safety, and workflow automation. I deliver solutions that combine FEA, CAD, and Python automationto improve safety compliance, reduce costs, and accelerate project delivery across complex engineering schemes.

Key Achievements
96%
Cut PDF pack generation from 15 mins to 10 sec with Python automation
80%
Accelerated crane scheme drawing workflows with 50+ dynamic CAD blocks
£30K+
Avoided destructive testing costs through FEA-based tethering design
90%
Improved team data accuracy with automated Excel + database tools

Pin Catcher

PIN CATCHER · WOLFFKRAN LTD

Precision Meets Performance

A project merging reflexes, precision, and engineering insight.

The Pin Catcher system was engineered to test hand–eye coordination while modeling realistic mechanical stresses. Each iteration increases in difficulty, creating an adaptive challenge that simulates real-world unpredictability.

Developed in Ansys and Fusion 360, the design simulates pins launched at 10 m/s with full structural validation of containment strength under dynamic impact.

100+
Successful Catches
7.8
Safety Factor Achieved
Ansys, Fusion 360
Simulation & Design Tools
Pin Catcher 3D Render
Pin Catcher Technical Drawing

Engineering in Motion

Technical simulations and performance demonstrations

Tie Mover

Live Structural Feedback

Calculations and visualization in real time

Redefining Structural Analysis

Engineering Meets Software

TieMover condenses hours of structural tie-force calculations into a fast, interactive tool — bridging engineering precision with software efficiency.

Engineering Meets Software
overview.py
def compute_tie_forces(...):
    # Run force analysis
    return tie_forces
Visual Feedback for Engineers

Real-Time Interaction

Move tie points, adjust geometry, and instantly see how forces adapt. Engineers can validate designs on the fly with immediate structural feedback.

Real-Time Interaction
visualization.py
class LineCanvas(QWidget):
    def mouseMoveEvent(self, e):
        self.update_calculations()
Accuracy Meets Safety

Robust Engineering Logic

Implements equilibrium-based methods with built-in safety factor validation, ensuring results align with industry standards and compliance requirements.

Robust Engineering Logic
calculations.py
results = each_tie_checker(
    forces, lengths, sections, materials
)
+2 hrs
Saved Weekly
432%
Productivity Gain
100%
Integrated Workflow

Engineering + Software = Impact

TieMover demonstrates how advanced coding and mechanical engineering can merge to deliver safer, faster, and more reliable structural solutions.

S

Software

AutoCAD
Parametric design & advanced block scripting
SolidWorks
3D modeling, assemblies & detailed drawings
Fusion 360
Integrated CAD/CAM & design automation
K

Knowledge

Engineering Standards
BS:8888 technical drawing compliance
Structural Design
Application of crane & lifting standards
Safety Regulations
Risk assessment & hazard mitigation
I

Innovation

Python
Engineering automation & custom tooling
Process Automation
Reducing repetitive workflows
Power Query
Data cleaning & Excel-based automation
L

Leadership

Project Management
Coordinating multi-disciplinary teams
Technical Documentation
Authoring to standards & best practice
Quality Assurance
Continuous improvement & review
L

Logic

ANSYS Fluent
CFD setup, meshing & validation
Structural Analysis
Hand calculations & FEA correlation
MATLAB
Mathematical modeling & simulation
S

Systems

Database Management
SQLite integration for automation
MS Office Suite
Advanced Excel/VBA integration
Adobe Creative Suite
Technical visuals & documentation
S
K
I
L
L
S
Scroll to reveal skills

Education

BEng Mechanical Engineering

The University of Sheffield

Sheffield, UK

University of Sheffield Logo
Key Modules
Thermodynamics
FEA
CFD
Structural Mechanics
Control Systems
Manufacturing Systems
Engineering Design
Materials Integrity

Let's Connect

Ready to collaborate on innovative engineering solutions? Let's discuss how we can work together to bring your ideas to life.

✉

Email

Send me a message

Zacharyjohnson123.ZJ@gmail.com
☎

Phone

Give me a call

07948 543908
⚡

LinkedIn

Connect professionally

View Profile↗
⌘

Location

Available for meetings

London, UK

Available for freelance projects and full-time opportunities

Currently available