I'm John Neri — a bilingual manufacturing engineer, U.S. Naval Officer, and career strategist who helps companies scale their production and helps people scale their potential.
My path started on the shop floor — earning an Associates in Welding Technology from Dodge City Community College, then welding and fabricating farm equipment in Kansas. That hands-on foundation carried me through an ABET-accredited Manufacturing Engineering Technology degree at Pittsburg State University, internships designing 3D-printed sand molds at Emerson and commissioning die casting tooling at Tesla, and eventually a senior engineering role leading Tesla's high-volume electrolyte filling ramp in Fremont.
Along the way I developed deep expertise in industrial automation and welding engineering — programming PLC systems in Studio 5000, configuring CompactLogix controllers and PowerFlex drives, designing complex conveyor sorting systems, and consulting on weld process development across SMAW, GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW. I hold a Certified SOLIDWORKS Professional credential, an A.A.S. in Welding Technology from an AWS S.E.N.S.E.-certified program, and am fluent in both English and Spanish.
But the part of my career I'm most proud of isn't on a spec sheet. I've spent years mentoring students and young professionals — helping them land competitive internships at companies like Tesla, Boeing, and beyond by rethinking how they present their experience, tell their story, and position themselves in the market. I know what hiring managers look for because I've been one.
Today I serve as a commissioned U.S. Naval Officer, where I've sharpened the leadership, strategic thinking, and mission-critical decision-making that I bring to every engagement — whether that's commissioning a production line or coaching someone through the most important interview of their career.
