Charles Lee

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer @ Vantage Robotics

About

Senior mechanical design engineer with over 20 years of experience in robotics, UAV systems, and precision electromechanical product development. Educated in both China and the U.S., I’ve built a global engineering career spanning Shenzhen, Shanghai, and California. I specialize in lightweight structural design, gimbal stabilization systems, actuator integration, and full product lifecycle development from concept through mass production. I have extensive experience working across international teams, bridging engineering cultures and translating requirements into manufacturable solutions. Currently, I lead mechanical design initiatives at Vantage Robotics, focusing on compact, high-performance drone platforms for public safety, inspection, and enterprise applications.

Country

City

United States

Industry

Mechanical Or Industrial Engineering

Skill

研究, 领导力

Experience

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer

Vantage Robotics

2020-4 - Present · 6 yrs 6 mos

San Leandro, California, United States

· Lead design of lightweight, modular drone platforms with integrated gimbal and sensor payloads. · Developed foldable mechanisms and weather-resistant housings for field deployment. · Collaborated with cross-functional teams on system layout, component selection, and rapid prototyping. · Reduced drone body mass by 22% through composite material integration and topology optimization.

Lead Mechanical Engineer – Drone Gimbal Systems (U.S. Liaison Team)

DJI

2017-7 - 2020-3 · 2 yrs 9 mos

Palo Alto, California, United States

Served as U.S. mechanical engineering liaison for consumer drone programs. Supported cross-border collaboration between Shenzhen R&D and U.S. design and marketing teams. Led mechanical integration of gimbal modules and camera assemblies for Mavic Air and Mavic 2 platforms. Supported system validation, environmental testing, and regulatory compliance activities. Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – R&D Center

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer – R&D Center

DJI

2014-10 - 2017-6 · 2 yrs 9 mos

Shenzhen, Guangdong, China

Designed compact 3-axis gimbal assemblies and motor housings for Phantom and early Mavic platforms. Conducted FEA on lightweight structures to improve performance under dynamic loading. Worked closely with suppliers and tooling vendors to ensure manufacturability and quality consistency. Developed robust cable routing and sealing solutions for outdoor UAV systems.

Mechanical Design Engineer

Foxconn Health Technology Business Group

2007-8 - 2014-9 · 7 yrs 2 mos

Designed metal and plastic enclosures for consumer electronics clients. Focused on thermal dissipation, EMI shielding, and drop-resistance. Supported DFM/DFA reviews and new product introduction (NPI). Performed tolerance stack-up and material selection for mass production.

Graduate Research Assistant – Mechatronics Lab

University of Michigan

2004-9 - 2007-6 · 2 yrs 10 mos

Ann Arbor, MI

Conducted research on compliant mechanisms and tendon-driven actuators. Co-authored academic papers in micro-robotics and soft robotics. Teaching assistant for mechanical design and CAD modeling courses.