Academic Credentials
  • Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University, 2017
  • M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Penn State University, 2014
  • B.A., Economics, University of Memphis, 2011
  • B.S., Mechanical Engineering, University of Memphis, 2010
Professional Honors
  • Engineering Dean's Award, 2011
  • Student marshal, Herff College of engineering, class of 2010
Professional Affiliations
  • American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)
  • Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
  • Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Languages
  • Spanish

Dr. Mendoza specializes in mechanical engineering and system dynamics and control. He consults with clients across industries such as automotive, consumer electronics, consumer products, and medical devices. His expertise is instrumental in implementing data-driven methods to enhance the performance and safety of technologies spanning battery energy storage (BESS), electric vehicles (EVs), and medical devices.  

Dr. Mendoza is highly proficient in designing algorithms and testing methods for developing, verifying, and validating software and hardware.  He also assists numerous clients in conducting root cause analyses of products, particularly those involving battery failures.

Dr. Mendoza is active in conducting scientific research related to questions that have a direct impact on consumer safety and product performance and reliability. For example, what operating conditions affect the aging of batteries? How does sensor selection affect EV range estimates? How does battery chemistry and capacity the energy released during lithium-ion battery failures? And how can we quantify that energy?

His work has been featured in peer-reviewed publications encompassing experimental and analytical methods aimed at characterizing the effects of operating conditions on battery aging, quantifying the energy released during lithium-ion battery failures, and developing tools for identifying battery module parameters and estimating battery state of charge (SOC) and state of health (SOH). 

Before joining Exponent, Dr. Mendoza served as a Battery Controls Software Lead Engineer at General Motors (GM). His responsibilities centered on developing control software for propulsion batteries and battery management systems (BMS). He validated the controls software using hardware in the loop (HIL) setups and executed tests for functional safety and performance validation. Additionally, he contributed to the development and implementation of model-based fuel control strategies and on-board diagnostic (OBD) tools to enable internal combustion engine (ICE) vehicles to meet Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) emission requirements, to optimize fuel consumption, and to improve vehicle drivability. 

Dr. Mendoza also brings a background in economics to his expertise, alongside being a certified Six Sigma Green Belt by GM and a certified Scrum Master. With over 10 years of experience, he has adeptly applied his knowledge of economics and project management to various facets such as budgeting, scope analysis, cost tracking, and lifecycle studies.

Recent Projects