About myself
Hi, I’m Andrew Mathyssen — a dedicated and hands-on mechanical engineering student currently studying at Concordia University, with an expected graduation in 2028. My journey has taken me through a variety of fields, from Joining the Royal Canadian Navy, automotive mechanics and Manufacturing. Each experience has shaped my problem-solving mindset and strong work ethic.
I served in the Canadian Navy, where I underwent rigorous training that instilled discipline, teamwork, and a strong sense of responsibility. This was further reinforced in my role as a Mail Distribution Manager with Xerox at Pfizer, where multitasking and accuracy were essential.
Before pursuing my degree, I worked as an apprentice mechanic in a range of roles — from overhauling engines and repairing equipment at a golf club to handling tires, brakes, and exhaust systems in fast-paced automotive shops. These jobs taught me the importance of precision, time management, and adapting quickly to new challenges.
With several years of experience at IKO, I developed a deep understanding of manufacturing environments and quality control. My role involved operating the front end of an assembly line, conducting product tests, troubleshooting jams, and maintaining high physical performance standards. I’m also certified in forklift operations and have extensive experience with tools like SolidWorks, AutoCAD, welders, and acetylene torches.
I take pride in being reliable, a fast learner, and a collaborative team member. I’m fluent in English and continuously improving my French. Whether I’m working independently or as part of a team, I bring focus, initiative, and a willingness to learn.
Skills & Experience
Excel, Word and Outlook
SolidWorks
Minor Experience in welding/acetylene torch
first aid certified in 2021
5 years experience with forklifts
Teamwork oriented
fast learner
problem solving
reliable
Resume
Concordia University
January 2021 - Present
Pursuing a bachelors degree in Mechanical Engineering, I am currently halfway through with a GPA of 3.7
IKO Hawkesbury – Assembly Line Employee
January 2017 – August 2022
At IKO work on the production line and we manufacture roofing shingles. My job is controlling the front end of the assembly line and doing quality control tests. I also clear jams and help rethread the line when it breaks. The job requires physical fitness as bundles of shingles weigh up to 80lbs and some days we are required to re-pile/scrap skids of defective shingles. I have also attended and passed a theoretical/practical training session on forklifts at IKO. This course regretfully did not provide us with an actual license.
Whitlock Golf and Country Club- Apprentice Mechanic
May 2015 – January 2017/ May 2007 – August 2007/ June 2006 – October 2006
In 2006/2007- I worked on the maintenance and grounds keeping crew. I worked with a crew and on my own raking, digging, cutting greens, cleaning sand and water traps and whatever else needed to be done on any particular day.
In 2017- I was repairing gas and diesel equipment, including tractors and caterpillars. The job included from changing height on grass cutting machines to overhauling engines. This job required me to learn how to fix a multitude of equipment, to think outside of the box if we did not have the tool needed for the task, and to work quickly but accurately.
Euro Service- Apprentice Mechanic
February 2015 – May 2015/ March 2014 – June 2014/ July 2013 – December 2013
I worked as an apprentice mechanic doing tires, oil changes, brake jobs, tire repairs, exhaust systems, alternators, ball joints, bearings, and shocks. This job required me to be detail oriented and have physical strength.
Good Year- Apprentice Mechanic
October 2012 – December 2012
I worked as an apprentice mechanic doing tires, oil changes and tire repairs. This job required me to be detail oriented and have physical strength. We were required to work quickly and accurately as there was a high turn around for cars to be processed.
Xerox at Pfizer- Mail Distribution Manager
June 2011 – October 2012
In this role, I was responsible for overseeing mail distribution at the Kirkland plant, across Canada and worldwide. I was also involved in customer service, fixing copiers, and tracking lost packages. This position required the ability to multitask and function in a fast but accurate manner.
Government of Canada, Department of National Defense, Navy
November 2009 – October 2010
I attended basic training, which included training in physical fitness, mental discipline, military rules and regulations, and first aid. Here I learned how to work with groups of individuals from a diverse population. I learned the value of hard work and discipline
Sumobot Competition
My robowars 2025 engineering team made this sumobot for the competition. as the only mech engineer on the team I was in charge of the chassis design. making this sumobot taught me a lot about SolidWorks, CADing and experience in manual machining and CNC machining. I manufactured the entire chassis myself out of aluminum, with the blade being made of steel. the front geometry was CNCed while I used a mill to manufacture the rest. Though we never got to compete due to electrical issues, it was a rewarding experience to be a part of.
Research grant, NSERC
I had the privilege to work in a cutting edge fluid dynamics lab, at Concordia University. This lab specialized in Cardiovascular Fluid Dynamics. During my stage i had the opportunity to work along side several PH.D students, assisting one in particular with their PH.D experiment about Blunt Force Trauma. The title of the thesis published is 'An In-Vitro Simulator to Investigate Flow Disturbances in the Left Ventricle during a Blunt Chest Trauma'.
My contribution to the thesis, was helping reinforce the model they already had created, to ensure that replication would be possible. I learned how to manufacture artificial silicon hearts, how to use linear motors, run pressure tests, and repair leaks in the system. The greatest challenge with this experiment were the pressure leaks, the complexity of the system, and silicon material tendency to tear.
To follow this refinement process, we had to follow engineering principles; such as iterative prototyping, to allow us to refine the process and remove excess material and processes that did not benefit the experiment.
Thermoelectric car
I designed the chassis on SolidWorks, the design in the picture is the final working product. The interior has a number of objects stacked on top of each other. From the bottom up there is a tea light candle, aluminum support, Peltier device then the aluminum reservoir.
The aluminum pieces I manufactured on a mill, the chassis is 3D printed and the wheels/gears are lego technic and the rest was purchased.
this project was incredible fun and I learned so much while working on it.
Mech 390
The design of this project focused on developing a data-driven approach to analyze and optimize the performance of a Whitworth quick return mechanism using machine learning. the initial stage was to work out all the geometry so that the design followed the constraints given to us by our professor. once all the geometry was finalized with the input variable being the Quick Return Ratio (QRR), we moved on to creating an excel of all the velocities, accelerations, static and dynamic forces, bearing/shear stresses and fatigue. with that the Machine Learning (ML) stage could begin. using this data set to form the foundation of the ML we used the program to predict which QRR was the best to reduce stress, reduce motor power needed, and reduce the space the mechanism would take up. with that complete we moved on to CADing, manufacturing and assembly.
Mech 490 - Capstone
(To be completed in
2026-2027)
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