(SOUTHFIELD, Mich., March 17, 2025) - SME, the nonprofit committed to accelerating widespread adoption of manufacturing technologies and building North America’s talent and capabilities, today announced the 2025 Shiv Kapoor Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Awardees. Since 1980, SME has recognized manufacturing engineers, age 35 or younger, who have made exceptional industry contributions throughout the early stages of their careers.

The 2025 award namesake is longtime SME member Shiv Kapoor, PhD. Kapoor serves as the Grayce Wicall Gauthier Chair Emeritus and Professor Emeritus in the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign's Department of Mechanical Science and Engineering. Throughout his career, Kapoor’s research has focused on manufacturing process modeling, automation, and micro-scale systems, with an emphasis on enhancing productivity, quality, and energy efficiency in manufacturing processes.

“I’m excited to recognize this impressive group of early-career engineers, whose achievements are a testament to their dedication and expertise in advancing manufacturing,” said Jeannine Kunz, SME executive director and CEO. “Their contributions are shaping the future of manufacturing technology, processes, and materials, and their continued momentum will lead to groundbreaking innovations.”

Recipients of the 2025 Shiv Kapoor Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award will be recognized at a variety of events during 2025, including the SME International Awards Gala in May, the NAMRI/SME awards luncheon during NAMRC 53, and at select corporate and university events. 

SME’s 2025 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineers

• Trevor Aguirre, Ph.D., Associate R&D Staff Scientist, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn.
• Fred M. Carter III, Head of Research and Development, DMG MORI Advanced Solutions, Hoffman Estates, Ill.
• Callie Higgins, Ph.D., Additive Manufacturing Program Coordinator and Photopolymer Additive Manufacturing Project Leader, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Boulder, Colo.
• Farhad Ghadamli, Manufacturing and Process Development Engineer, TE Connectivity, Katy, Texas
• Erik Huemiller, Ph.D., Senior Researcher, General Motors, Troy, Mich.
• Elham Mirkoohi, Assistant Professor, Auburn University, Auburn, Ala.
• Jiewu Leng, Ph.D., Professor, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou Province, China
• Maithri Venkat, Battery Cell Engineering Manager, Lucid Motors, Newark, Calif.
• Shane Whitaker, Applications Engineer Staff, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, Texas
• Sheng Yang, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada

Learn more about the awardees here. Nominations for the 2026 Outstanding Young Manufacturing Engineer Award should be submitted by Aug. 1. Visit sme.org/oyme for submission and additional award details.

About SME

Established in 1932 as a nonprofit organization, SME represents the entire North American manufacturing industry, including manufacturers, academia, professionals, students, and the communities in which they operate. We believe manufacturing holds the key to economic growth and prosperity, and champion the industry's potential as a diverse, thriving, and valued ecosystem. SME accelerates new technology adoption and builds North America’s talent and capabilities to advance manufacturing and drive competitiveness, resiliency, and national security. SME designs new ways to understand and solve problems, and our solutions advance the next wave of growth in manufacturing. Learn more at SME.org.