AARON MCDANIEL i Staff Hardware Systems Architect & Engineer
I build hardware platforms out of ambiguous, cross-disciplinary problem spaces — from undefined concept through globally deployed product.
My background spans mechanical engineering, hardware systems engineering, and systems architecture across XR/MR, autonomous retail, multi-sensor platforms, consumer electronics, and medical devices. I bring a physically grounded approach to systems work — connecting sensing physics, mechanical constraints, manufacturing realities, and human interaction into a coherent architecture. I operate across the full technical scope: from hands-on mechanism design and production release through system requirements, trade studies, and executive-level technical decisions.
At Amazon, I co-founded the Just Walk Out RFID Lane alongside a Principal Software TPM — scaling from zero to 150+ deployed lanes globally across the US and UK. Along the way I resolved a VP-level accuracy blocker that had stalled commercial viability for six months, cutting receipt latency from 30–60 seconds to under 3 seconds. That program also led to 10+ issued Amazon patents and a presentation at AWS re:Invent 2024.
At Meta Reality Labs, I served as convergence lead across ~8 subsystems on a next-generation MR headset — driving alignment across optics, sensing, calibration, and mechanical disciplines with direct impact on binocular disparity error, the program's primary customer experience KPI.
Earlier: end-to-end product development across consumer and medical device programs at Product Creation Studio, and two full NPI programs at 1.5M units/year scale at GE Appliances — where I also earned a Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and started filing patents independently outside of my assigned program scope.
Named inventor on 22 issued patents across four companies and six product domains.
I'm most energized by high-ownership programs where the technical path isn't fully defined yet — the kind that require someone comfortable holding the whole system in their head while driving across disciplines to a real outcome.
Education
M.S., Mechanical Engineering — Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Master of Product Development — Carnegie Mellon University B.S., Applied Physics | B.S., Business — Linfield University Lean Six Sigma Green Belt — GE Appliances
If you're working on something that fits, I'd love to hear about it — feel free to reach out.
“Aaron led the definition and development of multiple emerging products, taking ideas from concept to production release. He’s innovative, hardworking, and capable of earning trust across disciplines — wearing multiple hats as mechanical engineer, systems engineer, test engineer, or technical project manager depending on project needs. He’s the go-to person for launching new initiatives.”
“An engineer for designers: Aaron blends technical skill and empathetic thinking into one strong package. He is a champion of users and meticulous about details — his creative and technical contributions helped elevate our team in front of clients and his constant willingness to collaborate made every project a joy.”
“Aaron’s ability to lead through ambiguity with strong technical judgment, urgency, and practical execution stood out. He consistently aligned cross-functional teams, drove rapid experimentation, and helped transform early RFID concepts into scalable production systems. He is one of the strongest systems-oriented hardware leaders I’ve worked with.”
“Aaron is a thoughtful and highly effective technical leader who brings clarity to ambiguity, drives alignment across teams, and consistently delivers results. He was particularly strong at aligning hardware, software, product, and external partners to execute complex, multidisciplinary programs.”
“Aaron led systems from ideation to implementation and system level testing as well as next generation product development and integration, driving complex RF designs through validation and into production. He brings structure and rigor to R&D development, quickly identifying issues, driving root cause, and ensuring scalable solutions.”