Matthew Balafas
About Matthew Balafas
Matthew Balafas is a Mechanical Design Engineer specializing in Neutron Instrument Engineering at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He has a background in mechanical engineering with experience in product development and a keen interest in refining his engineering skills and business knowledge.
Current Role at Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Matthew Balafas currently serves as a Mechanical Design Engineer in the Neutron Instrument Engineering division at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. He has held this position since 2020, contributing to various projects related to neutron instrumentation. His role involves applying engineering principles to design and develop mechanical systems that support scientific research.
Previous Experience in Mechanical Design Engineering
Prior to his current position, Matthew Balafas worked as a Mechanical Design Engineer at Industrial Tool, Inc.-Complete Machine Solutions from 2019 to 2020 for five months. He also gained experience at Hydro Engineering, where he worked as a Mechanical Engineer from 2018 to 2019 for one year. His background includes hands-on experience in mechanical design and engineering processes.
Educational Background in Engineering
Matthew Balafas completed his high school education at Edina High School, where he focused on engineering and earned his High School Diploma from 2011 to 2014. He furthered his education at the University of Minnesota, obtaining a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from 2014 to 2018. His academic background has provided him with a solid foundation in engineering principles.
Internship and Early Career Experience
Matthew Balafas began his career with a summer internship as a Mechanical Engineering Intern at Hydro Engineering in 2017, where he worked for three months. He also gained experience as a Technical Aide (Summer IT Intern) at Edina Public Schools from 2013 to 2014. These early roles contributed to his understanding of engineering and technology.
Career Aspirations and Interests
Matthew Balafas has a keen interest in the entire product development process, which includes prototyping, testing, manufacturing, and market research. He aims to refine his engineering design skills while expanding his knowledge in business topics such as finance. Additionally, he aspires to invent personal products and establish a company to bring them to market.