Hi! My name is Michel Domenella.
I am a product development engineer who has industry and academic experience at all stages of the product design process - from ideation and prototyping to manufacturing and post-launch support. My passion for design lies in creating intentional, meaningful, and tactile interactions that help to improve the quality of people's lives. Most recently I accomplished this during my time at Clippard, more on that below, but it has been something that I have pursued throughout my years at work and school. I am currently looking for an internship for the summer of 2026 and would love to chat more about that if you have a position in mind for me!
New Product Development at Clippard Inc.
My time at Clippard has led to a marked improvement in my skills as an engineer and my understanding of myself as a designer. The following projects best exemplify my work during my time at Clippard:
The panel mounted pinch valve was one of the first projects that I worked on and was a great first step into the learning how to design for manufacturing. While not technically challenging, the project was a great exercise in redesigning a product to deliver the same specifications while improving ease of use for a majority of customers. The oxygen blender for an open care baby warmer was a much more technically challenging as a result of the many moving parts and the strict safety regulations. Since the product was intended for infants it also helped me to realize how much I valued being a part of a project that truly makes a difference in people's lives. Working on the long stroke pinch valve was a fantastic opportunity to gain experience with the post-launch support of a project. With changing customer requirements and other issues, the importance of rigorous testing and extensive record keeping was made very clear.
Other Experience
Throughout my undergrad degree at Notre Dame I worked as a fabricator for the Notre Dame Innovation Lab. My time here gave me much greater exposure to tools such as a laser cutter and 3D printer as well as the various stages of the design process. While there I interacted with local business owners to help them bring their ideas to life which was essential to my development as a designer.
About Me
Outside of work I have found a ton of joy in staying creative, volunteering at dog shelters, and pushing myself to be the best that I can be. After finding my dad's old film camera in 2023, I quickly fell in love with it and it has been a great source of creative expression for me (see photos below). In 2024 I started an Instagram account (@domenella_film) where I posted once a week for a year, documenting the architecture and landscape of Cincinnati. Another one of my hobbies I recently discovered was volunteering at a dog shelter. Since November of 2024 I have been spending a night or two a week taking care of all different types of dogs at dog shelters - whether it has given more joy to me or the dogs is still up in the air. Finally, one of my favorite ways to spend my time is by pushing myself physically - specifically through hiking, rock climbing, and playing ultimate frisbee.
Contact Me
Please reach out with any opportunities or questions you might have. I have also included my resumé below for a more concise view of my skills and experiences.