Ryan DeLozier: pioneering Design Engineer and rock climber

Tacking a set of mechanical drawings to a nearby white board, Ryan DeLozier talks to a team of welders that is preparing to transform his CAD designs into custom components for an alternative leak detection system. DeLozier spent six months designing this system for an HVAC customer and—after passing his plans through a careful review process—he’s finally ready to hand them over to his colleagues on VTI’s shop floor.

“It’s rare for design engineers in our industry to play such an active role in every phase of the production process. We get to stand shoulder to shoulder with the guys who actually build our machines, and that helps us make superior products,” said DeLozier.

For seven years, DeLozier has served Vacuum Technology Incorporated (VTI) as a Design Engineer, using his background in mechanical engineering to develop novel leak testing solutions for businesses across the U.S. and around the world. With his teammates in VTI’s design engineering department, DeLozier works closely with customers to design industrial vacuum systems tailored to suit their unique manufacturing needs. DeLozier also works closely with VTI’s production staff, which fabricates and assembles each vacuum system from scratch. In addition, DeLozier assists customers with troubleshooting and even visits their facilities to help install new equipment.

“We’re strong believers in the ‘cradle-to-grave’ approach. I’m involved with projects from the moment a customer calls for a quote to the moment we visit their facility to deliver a finished system,” said DeLozier.

After graduating from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, with a degree in Mechanical Engineering, DeLozier spent a short season snowboarding, wakeboarding, and rock climbing his way across Appalachia before accepting a full-time position at VTI. DeLozier says that he enjoys getting to handle tasks not typically assigned to design engineers, and adds that the wide variety of responsibilities he manages at VTI keep his day-to-day interesting.

“I’m not just pushing CAD work. I get to spend time with our customers, with our software team, and with our fabrication staff. I do lots of things that aren’t typically in the wheelhouse of a design engineer,” said DeLozier.

Looking back on his career at VTI, DeLozier is particularly proud of the leadership role he held during the construction of VTI’s new warehouse and manufacturing facility. While VTI’s design engineering manager supervised this construction project, DeLozier stepped up to help manage VTI’s design workflow.

“That experience showed me that I have what it takes to be a leader at VTI, and it solidified my confidence in my abilities as an engineer,” said DeLozier.

In his free time, DeLozier enjoys rock climbing and spending time with his wife. Together, they volunteer with their church community and care for two dogs and a horse.

“Family and service is important to VTI. It’s nice getting to work somewhere that not only helps me achieve my professional goals, but also aligns well with my personal values,” said DeLozier.