Kris Canete
Building the system that reconnects design, manufacturing, and validation — collapsing hardware iteration from months to days.
Core Thesis
Hardware is slow because design, manufacturing, and validation are disconnected. I'm building the system that reconnects them.
4
Projects
6
Machines
1200
Hours
2
Programs
Built in the Shop
Real projects. Real contributions. Not a simulation.
Flywheel Energy Storage System
Modular, fast-response energy storage systems for grid-edge and industrial applications. Focused on short-duration buffering where batteries fail economically.
What I did
Full system architecture, prototype development, and scalable deployment design. Owns the stack from mechanical to controls.
Process
Production Automation Systems
Multi-axis robotic systems designed and deployed for high-volume production environments. Integrated hardware, controls, and process flows.
What I did
Designed hardware, integrated controls, and built process flows for repeatable manufacturing in a production setting.
Process
Rapid Casting + CNC Pipeline
Direct-to-print ceramic mold workflows for high-temperature alloys. Building the integrated pipeline that collapses iteration loops from weeks to days.
What I did
Sole architect — owns the full loop from CAD through casting to machined, validated parts.
Process
Factory-OS
Internal manufacturing operating system that tracks engineering decisions, validation, and manufacturability in one loop. Connects design intent directly to production.
What I did
Sole architect and builder. Turning engineering into a compounding system where knowledge is never lost between revisions.
Process
Capability + Access
Machines
Processes
Software
Program Affiliation
Industry Background
Relevant experience that informs what this builder can do now.
Tesla
Manufacturing / Automation Engineering
2019–2021
Worked on production systems and automation in a high-throughput environment. Applied controls and robotics to real manufacturing problems at scale.
Sila Nanotechnologies
Process / Manufacturing Engineering
2021–2022
Supported development of next-generation battery production systems in an advanced materials manufacturing context.
GILLIG
Lead Engineer — Vehicle Systems / Diagnostics
2022–Present
Building CAN-based diagnostic systems and validation infrastructure for electric transit buses. Full systems ownership.
Oregon Institute of Technology
Machine Shop
Foundation
Hands-on machining and fabrication foundation that informs every design decision made since.
Growth Timeline
2018
OIT Machine Shop
Built foundational machining skills in an academic environment.
2019
Tesla — Production Automation
First exposure to high-volume production automation and controls.
2021
Sila Nanotechnologies
Applied manufacturing engineering to advanced materials production.
2022
GILLIG — Lead Engineer
Took on full systems ownership for vehicle diagnostics and validation.
2023
Founded The Backyard Shop
Built the physical and operational infrastructure to reconnect design and manufacturing.
2024
Founded On The Fly Energy
Started developing modular flywheel-based energy storage systems.
2025
Active — All Fronts
Running both companies simultaneously. Building Factory-OS and the rapid casting pipeline in parallel.
Active Work
Current Projects
- Flywheel energy storage prototyping — On The Fly Energy
- Factory-OS development and internal deployment
- Rapid casting + CNC pipeline build-out
Currently Learning
- High-temperature alloy casting
- Grid-edge power electronics
- CAN diagnostics for transit systems
Looking For
- Strategic partners in energy infrastructure, manufacturing systems, and AI/data center ecosystem
- Early adopters for industrial energy buffering systems
- Investors aligned with infrastructure-scale outcomes
Work with Kris
Connect, collaborate, or invest in what's being built here.