Paul Mantua – Mechanical Engineer

Hi, I’m Paul Sherwin Mantua from the Philippines. I’m a licensed Mechanical Engineer with extensive Project Management experience in Product Design and Installation of materials-handling equipment. I’ve worked on a wide range of products using multiple CAD software but with a particular proficiency in AutoCAD and SolidWorks. These two are the main platforms I’ve generally used throughout my career. I am an insatiable learner, I am always excited when there is a learning opportunity that comes my way. My career goal has always been to broaden my knowledge in the field of mechanical engineering design as far as I can manage to go. I consider a day wasted when I do not learn something new on that day.

The bulk of my professional experience was spent in a Japanese Engineering Firm whose main products are conveyor systems exclusively designed to cater to the needs of Automobile manufacturing companies. Believing that communication is the key to deliver an excellent design for customers, I studied the Japanese language. I passed the (N5 Level) Japanese proficiency test. This step was very essential for me because I could now easily understand and interpret the design instructions of the customers which in turn helped me make great strides in improving my design techniques and knowledge. It also paved the way for my professional mindset to be heavily influenced by their working culture to always aim for the perfection of one’s craft and to treat customers like emperors.

After two years of working exclusively for the design department, I was offered the job to be an installation and commissioning supervisor. This position was to be ministered simultaneously with my Design Lead Engineer role (By this time, I was already leading a small team of 3-5 members to work on projects). I eagerly accepted this offer since I saw it as an opportunity to learn new things and add to my professional repertoire. The installation jobs required me to travel overseas and work on job sites in other countries depending on the location of the customer’s factory. This exposed me to working with people with varying cultures and languages. This experience also gave me knowledge as to how to conduct and implement Safety and Health protocols, Risk Assessment, Manpower handling of subcontractors and other Construction project management duties. Installation jobs usually last 3-4 months depending on the scope of the project. After each project, when I go back to the office, I work again as a Design Lead Engineer. This became the working arrangement for the rest of my tenure in the company.

I was able to adjust in my new role by using my design engineering knowledge to find effective and efficient ways to install equipment. In turn, I also used the learnings due to mistakes and shortcomings in my installation job to help me improve to be a better designer. It gave me a better idea to anticipate where problems may occur during the installation and operation of the equipment and adjust my design accordingly.

I left the company as I found a better opportunity overseas and I was slated to work on an Engineering firm in Singapore but unfortunately the pandemic came about and the project that I was supposed to be a part of was cancelled. I have since then worked on a contract basis to local clients and I am looking for a short term or long term job that I can fully utilize my skills in Design drafting and Project management.

For a copy of Paul’s resume please click here.