- Home
- Engineering Services
Engineering Services
Experienced Mechanical Engineering, Applied Where It Matters
Led by Brad Riley, P.E., C.R.E., Unpaved Engineering is a North Carolina-licensed engineering firm that helps manufacturers, equipment owners, fabricators and product teams solve mechanical problems, validate designs and move projects forward. From a focused second opinion to ongoing senior-level support, clients benefit from more than 25 years of hands-on experience in mechanical design, testing, reliability and real-world equipment.
Get an experienced second set of eyes on an existing design, machine or planned modification. Unpaved Engineering can review materials, loads, bolted joints, manufacturability, safety, performance and reliability to identify potential problems before they become expensive ones.
Determine why a component, machine or system is failing — and what to do about it. Using test data, field observations, fatigue analysis, vibration, strain measurement and practical troubleshooting, Unpaved Engineering identifies likely root causes and develops corrective actions that can be verified.
Develop the right test to answer the right engineering question. Services may include test planning, fixture design, instrumentation, data acquisition, automated cycle testing, fatigue and vibration testing, dyno testing, field testing, ANSI/ISO testing and clear analysis of the results.
Make changes to machinery or equipment with a clear understanding of how they will affect safety, performance and reliability. Unpaved Engineering can evaluate proposed modifications, perform calculations, develop fixtures or mechanical solutions, support controls and instrumentation, and provide the documentation needed to move forward.
Turn an early concept or working prototype into a reliable, manufacturable product. Support can include design refinement, CAD review, prototype development, testing, troubleshooting, vendor coordination and production-readiness planning.
Add experienced mechanical engineering leadership without committing to a full-time hire. Brad can step in to scope projects, review designs, lead testing, troubleshoot difficult problems, coordinate vendors, mentor team members or provide dependable support when internal resources are stretched.
As a North Carolina-licensed engineering firm led by a licensed Professional Engineer, Unpaved Engineering can provide engineering analysis, calculations, professional review and sealed deliverables for qualifying mechanical engineering projects. Each engagement is evaluated to ensure the work is appropriately documented and falls within Brad’s area of expertise and responsible charge.
Capabilities & Specialties
Mechanical Engineering
- Mechanical design and design review
- Machine and equipment modifications
- Component and system troubleshooting
- Material selection and analysis
- Bolted joint analysis
- Fatigue-life prediction
- Finite element analysis
- Prototype development and refinement
Testing & Reliability
- Test strategy, design and setup
- Field and laboratory testing
- Failure and root-cause analysis
- Reliability planning and accelerated life testing
- Strain-gage testing and analysis
- Vibration testing and analysis
- Data acquisition and instrumentation
- Dyno, cycle and durability testing
- ANSI and ISO test support
- Technical test reports and recommendations
Automation & Controls
- Automated test systems
- PLC programming and ladder logic
- Test-cell controls and safety systems
- Hardware-in-the-loop testing
- Electrical circuits and wiring systems
- Sensor and transducer selection
- Data processing and test automation
Prototyping & Technical Tools
- CAD modeling and drawing review
- Test fixture design
- FDM and SLA 3D printing
- Machining and fabrication coordination
- Creo, SolidWorks and Fusion 360
- MATLAB, LabVIEW and ReliaSoft
- C++, Visual Basic and PowerShell
Engineering Experience Across Industries
Automotive
Design, testing, engine calibration, emissions compliance, and reliability support for complex mechanical systems.
Agricultural & Heavy Equipment
Mechanical engineering expertise built on extensive experience with tractors, agricultural machinery, and heavy equipment in demanding environments.
Defense & WEAPONS-EFFECTS
Engineering and software integration for weapons-effects modeling. Previously held a DOD security clearance and can pursue renewed clearance as needed.
Pharmaceutical
Mechanical design and reliability support for specialized vaccine manufacturing equipment in highly regulated environments.
Small Business & Custom Product Development
Helping small businesses bring products to life with professional design, engineering review, and the credibility of a licensed Professional Engineer.
Credentials That Back the Work
Backed by more than 25 years of experience and led by a licensed Professional Engineer and Certified Reliability Engineer, we bring senior-level judgment and hands-on problem-solving to every project — from early concepts and design analysis to prototyping, testing, and refinement.
Professional Engineer Licensure
North Carolina Professional Engineer licensure reflects rigorous education, examination, and experience requirements, along with an ongoing duty to protect public health, safety, and welfare.
ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer
The ASQ Certified Reliability Engineer credential recognizes proven expertise in reliability, risk, failure analysis, testing, and product lifecycle performance.
Request a Project Quote
Whether you need help with one engineering challenge or extra support for a larger project, Unpaved Engineering is available for individual projects, short-term contract work, and ongoing engineering needs.
