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Biography
Paul Reid is a multi-disciplined engineer with 40 years experience in the automotive industry, developing internal combustion and electric drive power train products, dynamometers and bespoke test-rigs.
From 1983 to 1993 Paul worked as a part-time motorcycle mechanic specializing in engine repairs to help fund his journey through College, Polytechnic and University where he gained an HND in Engineering and a Bachelors Degree in Electronic Engineering.
From 1993 to 2003 Paul worked as a professional engine calibration engineer (Fuel injection) working on racing cars engines on dynamometers in 3 countries and in chassis at race tracks in 18 countries and various test facilities for Formula-3, Touring Car, Formula-3000 & LeMans 24h endurance championships for LMP900 & LMP675 categories.
From 2003 to 2008 Paul worked as an Applications Engineer developing a new concept Engine Control Unit (ECU) with electrically actuated throttles for large displacement 3-liter V6 and 8.4-liter V10 road car engines with variable camshaft and intake geometry to improve exhaust emissions.
From 2008 to 2023 Paul worked exclusively on electric powertrain on dynamometers and in chassis. Building dynamometers and test-rigs where facilities were not available, for in-house testing and for customers with compliance to CE marking. Working as an Applications Engineer from 2008 to 2014, a Project manager from 2014 to 2021 and a Senior Systems Engineer onwards.
Paul considers himself to be a classically trained engineer having worked his way up from the shop floor using just about every tool and machine found in powertrain engineering. He may occasionally be a bit "old school" but he is also high-tech which generates colorful innovation.
Paul's previous employer was Zytek Automotive who are a part of the Continental Engineering Services group where he worked for just over 25 years. For 5 years previous to this, Paul worked for TOMS-GB Team Toyota (Tach and Oiwa Motor Sport) who are a racing car team best known for their championship winning Formula-3 engines and chassis's and their V10 Toyota Group-C TSO10 LeMans racing car which was so ground breaking that it is still on YouTube today over 30 years later.
Expertise Summary
- Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) build
- Engine calibration (Fuel injection)
- Fabrication & TIG welding (Stainless Steel, Alluminum, Copper)
- Manual machining, milling, turning, grinding.
- Harness design/build
- Dynamometer and test-rig design/build/commissioning including concept design of mechanical parts and electrical design of control panels (with CE marking when necessary)
- Hazard Analysis and Risk Assessments (HARA)
- Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA)
- Vehicle Reaction Testing (VRT)
- 2D CAD (35 years of AutoCAD)
- Test planning and validation
- Data logging and analysis
- Technical author (Instruction manuals)
- Generation of test reports
Paul has come from the automotive industry so it goes without saying that he is a bit of a "Petrol Head". Even though Paul has worked at the cutting edge of racing technology his hobbies are surprisingly not modern vehicles but rather classic and vintage cars and motorcycles preferring to use his skills to improve their performance without loosing their identity. As a long serving automotive engineer he prefers to save a wreck from the scrap heap and preserve it for people to enjoy the nostalgia in the future.
Paul is also a DIY expert, a plumber, an electrician, a brick layer, a roofer, fits lintels, fits doors and windows, and is pretty handy around the garden with a chainsaw.
Paul is also an accomplished Skier, an Archer, enjoys Snorkeling and has started Scuba Diving...