Ben Silver
Mechanical Engineer in Training
(EIT)
Engineering precision meets creative problem-solving. Specializing in CAD design, process engineering, and building things that work.
Top 1–5 %
Summa cum laude term
Sexton Distinction · Dal Eng.
Cumulative GPA of 3.89; peak term GPA of 4.24
(a near-perfect 3.98 / 4.00 on the standard scale, that is summa cum laude while taking senior mechanical engineering courses).
About
A bit about me
I'm a Mechanical Engineer in Training based in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a passion for turning complex problems into elegant, functional solutions. With experience spanning defence systems at Lockheed Martin, structural design at Atlas, and R&D at Protocase, I bring a diverse engineering perspective to every project.
Beyond traditional mechanical engineering, I'm deeply interested in design, technology, and building things — whether that's a full-stack web application, a VR video game, or an automated herb harvesting machine. I approach every challenge with the rigour of an engineer and the curiosity of a maker.
I subscribe to Socratic thinking — categorizing what I know by credibility, asking probing questions, and never assuming. Combined with a stoic mindset, this helps me stay clear-headed under pressure and focused on what matters: doing excellent work.
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia
Education
BEng Mechanical — Dalhousie University
Current Role
Syntra Refining Corp.
Milestone
NPPE Passed — P.Eng Designation Pending
Projects
Featured work
A selection of projects that showcase my range — from precision mechanical engineering to full-stack software development.
Interests
Outside the office
The kinds of problems I like to solve when I'm not at a CAD station.
Skills
What I bring to the table
A versatile skill set spanning mechanical engineering, software development, and everything in between.
CAD & Design
Proficient in designing parts, assemblies, and technical drawings across multiple CAD platforms.
Engineering
Hands-on engineering experience from concept through to working prototype and documentation.
Software & Code
Self-taught developer with experience in game development, web apps, and AI-powered products.
Business & Data
Complex business administration, planning tools, and organized documentation systems.
Fabrication
Extensive hands-on experience with 3D printers, from research and testing to production array management.
Leadership
Consistently praised for communication, professionalism, and ability to direct others effectively.
Experience
Where I've worked
From defence systems to 3D printing R&D — a track record of excellent performance reviews and tangible results.
Syntra Refining Corp. (formerly Lab 4 Inc.)
Mechanical Engineer in Training
April 2025 – Present
Halifax, NS
- Co-designed a ~50,000 ft² hydrometallurgical metal refinery from a blank-sheet concept — built around circular systems for Li-ion battery black-mass recycling and adaptable to alternate feedstocks
- Drove an accelerated iterative design loop: process block diagrams → P&IDs → linked equipment / specification spreadsheets, converging cross-department review comments into buildable designs
- Defined plant-scale equipment and instrumentation: 327 tanks, 297 pumps, 114 agitators, 1,130 control valves, 3,793 hand valves, and 445 sensors / transmitters (level, pressure, temperature, inline XRF, sampling)
- Built a suite of interconnected Excel engineering models — flow balance, pipe & tank specs, equipment counts — that auto-update from the chemistry mass balance to keep mechanical design progressing ahead of finalized process conditions
- Developed thermal & utilities models (exo / endothermic reaction loads, heaters & chillers, energy summaries) used for boiler and chiller sizing, plus economizer justification
- Produced logistics and infrastructure tools (shipments, energy consumption, emergency power, HVAC heat map) to quantify reagent / water needs, electrical and natural-gas demand, and backup power requirements
- Coordinated with CBCL on building fit-up while owning mechanical / process integration with the facility design
Ace Mechanical Incorporated
Project Coordinator — Mechanical Estimating
January 2024 – Present
Halifax, NS
- Coordinated plumbing and subcontracted HVAC, insulation, controls, fire-stopping, and refrigeration across 10 buildings totalling 1,597 units
- Estimated plumbing costs for 6 high-rise buildings and ordered the majority of plumbing material
- Issued change orders capturing additional costs across all mechanical systems, and tracked small service / repair jobs end-to-end
- Worked alongside the accountant to progress-bill projects based on completed work, and produced templates and procedures still used by the team
- Ran weekly meetings with foremen to assess progress and plan next steps
Atlas Structural Systems
Structural Designer
May – December 2023
Halifax, NS
- Designed roof trusses and floors using MiTek software
- Conducted stress analysis on headers and jacks for openings in building structures
- Read and interpreted technical drawings, then worked with clients on quotes and truss design
Lockheed Martin Canada
Mechanical Engineering Co-op
Jan – April 2022
Dartmouth, NS
- Only excellent ratings on supervisor's final report
- Created spreadsheets for battle systems procurement on CSC warship
- Modelled and presented line-of-sight analysis for topside technology
- Used version control with SolidWorks on CSC 3D models
Protocase Inc.
R&D Engineering Intern
Fall 2020 & Summer 2021
Sydney, NS
- Only excellent ratings — all areas for improvement listed as n/a
- Researched, tested, and upgraded 3D printer array to 10 Raise3D Pro2 units
- Designed PEM tool shelving (1,050 tools) and spindle sander guards
- "Professionalism beyond his years as a co-op student"
M. Berrigan Land Surveying
Land Survey Technician
April – August 2019
Antigonish, NS
- Created survey plans using Civil 3D software
- Used total station and GNSS RTK receivers
Recognition
What employers say
Excerpts from supervisor evaluations and co-op reports.
“Ben has been an amazing addition to our team — professionalism beyond his years as a co-op student.”
Protocase Inc.
R&D Engineering Intern · Fall 2020 & Summer 2021
Supervisor evaluation
Only excellent ratings
Supervisor's final report
Lockheed Martin Canada
Jan – April 2022
Excellent across every category
Both co-op term evaluations — Communication, Technical Knowledge, Professionalism
Protocase Inc.
Fall 2020 & Summer 2021
n/a × 3
All three “areas for improvement” slots left blank on supervisor evaluations
Protocase Inc.
Both co-op terms
Evaluation documents
Philosophy
Mental models I keep close
A few lenses I use to stay honest with myself and keep my thinking calibrated.
Contact
Let's connect
Whether you have a role in mind or just want to chat about engineering — I'd love to hear from you.