Automation Assistant Project Manager
Project management support for automation work in pharmaceutical and industrial manufacturing environments.
Resume
Hunter McDonald
An industry-grounded systems thinker using AI and ML to solve problems in manufacturing. Navy submarine veteran, journeyman millwright, and project engineer based in the Raleigh–Durham–Chapel Hill area, North Carolina.
Summary
Journeyman millwright and project engineer with field experience across pharmaceutical manufacturing, automated storage and retrieval systems, industrial maintenance, and metal fabrication. Former US Navy sonar technician on submarines. Currently completing a Master of Engineering in Manufacturing Systems Engineering at North Carolina State University while building applied AI and machine learning tools for the 3 Ms — manufacturing, millwrighting, and machine erection.
Experience
Project Engineer
Project engineering across industrial maintenance and construction work, including the TBMNC ASRS installation (Aug–Oct 2025) — led cross-functional teams installing an automated storage and retrieval crane system, managing quality documentation and project controls.
Assistant Superintendent
Field supervision and coordination across construction and installation activities.
Project Engineer
Engineering and project support across pharmaceutical and industrial work, including the Eli Lilly project closeout — installation of pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment and calibration of logistics systems.
Journeyman Millwright
Installed, built, maintained, and repaired manufacturing equipment and machinery. Led teams of mechanics in daily tasks; coordinated with superintendents and contractors; advised office personnel on routine maintenance.
Maintenance Technician
Industrial maintenance, equipment dismantling and reassembly, and fabrication support inside a manufacturing environment.
Welding Technician
Production welding and fabrication on industrial equipment.
Welder Fabricator
Metal fabrication and welding on industrial drying and processing equipment.
Weld Mechanic
Welding and mechanical repair on recycling and processing equipment.
Sonar Technician (Submarines)
Operated Sound Navigation and Ranging (SONAR) equipment and software to detect, classify, and determine range, speed, and bearings of marine vessels. Performed routine maintenance on sonar systems and equipment aboard submarines.
Education
North Carolina State University
Graduate coursework in manufacturing systems engineering, supporting the long-term direction of the Millwright Engineer and AIMMMES platforms.
East Carolina University
Coursework in business (microeconomics, macroeconomics, distribution and logistics, legal environment of business), industrial engineering (advanced manufacturing, plant layout and material handling, statistical process control), and supporting technology (industrial safety, technology project management, manufacturing processes). Mentorship Program participant.
Wake Technical Community College
Welding fundamentals, fabrication, and manufacturing operations.
Naval Submarine School — New London
Used SONAR software and data to detect low-frequency sound waves of vessels in the ocean, determine bearings and ranges, and classify contacts.
Naval Submarine School — New London
Tactical computer network operation, basic electronic maintenance, general submarine systems knowledge, and SONAR expertise. Member of the Silver Dolphins Honor Guard.
Apex High School
Varsity Wrestling Team.
Licenses & Certifications
- Journeyman Millwright — United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners (Jul 2024)
- OSHA 30-Hour Construction Industry (May 2023 – May 2026)
- Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt — East Carolina University (May 2022)
- Okuma Maintenance & Programming Certifications (2021)
- Working with Difficult People — LinkedIn Learning (Dec 2024)
Core Skills
- Metal fabrication, welding, and machining
- Industrial maintenance, troubleshooting, and equipment dismantling
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing equipment installation
- Automated storage and retrieval system (ASRS) installation
- Construction management and field supervision
- Project engineering, quality documentation, and project controls
- Computer-Aided Design (CAD)
- Lean Six Sigma fundamentals
- Okuma CNC maintenance and programming
- Manufacturing systems engineering and data analysis
- Applied machine learning and data tools for industrial use cases
- Systems thinking across hardware, workflow, and software
Selected Projects
AI/ML in Manufacturing Homelab
Local environment for experimenting with industrial AI workflows.
Construction Submittal Review ML Project
Machine-learning support for structured review of construction submittals.
Open-Source CMMS Integration for Factory I/O
Bridging maintenance system logic with industrial simulation tooling.
Volunteer Experience
North Carolina Zen Center — Maintenance Volunteer
Contributed labor across plumbing, carpentry, painting, and mechanical projects supporting the center’s grounds and facilities.
Habitat for Humanity International — Construction Volunteer
Volunteer construction labor on Habitat build sites.
Full Profile
For the most current and detailed work history, see the full profile on LinkedIn, or get in touch through the contact page.