Founder / Professor in the Practice / Gradual Robotics, LLC / Rice University
Steve Gomez is a Founder and Professor in the Practice with a strong background in engineering, robotics, and educational technology. He is the Founder of Gradual Robotics, LLC, a consultancy focused on helping experts transition to expert leadership in Industry 4.0, and a Professor in the Practice at Rice University, teaching engineering leadership. Prior to his current roles, he spent over two decades at Schlumberger in various global management and engineering positions, specializing in knowledge management, training, and new product development for downhole drilling tools.
Studying for Doctor of Education, University of Pennsylvania; MS, Stanford University
Professor in the Practice, Rice Center of Engineering Leadership | School of Engineering
Educating engineering leaders on skills needed to become effective engineering managers in Industry 4.0 in the evening-based hybrid on-line and on-campus RICE MEML Master's program.
Reach out to me if you are interested in attending the MEML Master's program, recruiting high-tier student engineering leaders, or guest speaking in my class.
Gradual Robotics, LLC
Founder
Jul 2020 - Present
Responsibilities
Founded startup consultancy to help people struggling with how to grow their expertise into expert leadership within Industry 4.0. Proven results with Engineers, K-20 Teachers and Students. Complex problem visualization through use of proprietary educational technology involving robotic and systems thinking digital blocks. Gradual Robotics name was inspired by punctuated equilibrium theory and the systems thinking of roboticists.
Schlumberger
Global Manager: Knowledge Management for Metier, Recruiting, Training & Development, Career Ladder
Feb 2013 - Jul 2020
Responsibilities
I led the effort to meet a multi-billion dollar business strategy through empowering people and helped author our SWP. Working closely with Senior Executives and Human Resource managers, I was responsible for Knowledge Management, Recruiting, Training and Development, and Recognition of the global engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain population. I also led the Innovation, Leadership, and New Recruit training programs. I managed the talent and learning management systems (TMS and LMS) and provided instructional design and project management guidance.
Schlumberger
Department Manager: Common Enterprise Technology and Quality Function
Apr 2011 - Jan 2013
Responsibilities
Helped the business save millions of dollars by standardizing and developing common products, services, and workflows. Working with other Division Managers, I led project managers who were responsible for identifying and developing common mechanical technology utilized across Schlumberger. Utilized Lean Six Sigma, project management, Obeya Rooms, simulation, and resonant leadership.
Schlumberger
Project Manager: Special Project on Motor Technology
Oct 2010 - Mar 2011
Responsibilities
Helped the business internalize key competitive knowledge. Responsible for creating a strategic project plan for improving the reliability of workflows, software and hardware related to electric motors used in Drilling and Wireline Divisions. Decided what to out source and what to keep in house. Designed and developed the first electric motor designed in house.
Schlumberger
Project Manager - Power and Conveyance via Robot Devices
Jan 2007 - Sep 2010
Responsibilities
Managed new product development teams responsible for developing downhole robotic tractors. Interfaced with Supply Chain, Reliability, Manufacturing departments to ensure concurrent engineering. Trained in Lean Six Sigma and Engineering techniques pioneered by Toyota.
Schlumberger
Technology Manager - Educational Technology to Bridge the Digital Divide in Global K-12 Schools
Apr 2005 - Dec 2006
Responsibilities
Based on my engineering accomplishments and K-12 volunteering, I was given the opportunity to work directly for Schlumberger's global educational nonprofit for a 1.5 year assignment. This allowed me to travel the world and share my passion for engineering and K-12 education with the students of the world. The Schlumberger Excellence in Educational Development program is aimed at K-12 students worldwide. I was responsible for the identification and development of sustainable educational technology. Challenges included design for child safety, and localization of support documentation and technology.
Schlumberger
Project Manager - Power and Telemetry Automated Drilling Device
Apr 2002 - Mar 2005
Responsibilities
Managed Houston and Paris based new product development teams responsible for developing and upgrading down hole directional drilling tools which provided geometric surveys, gamma ray formation measurement to clients. The tools also provided power and telemetry for the entire down hole tool string. The commercial names for the tools are Telescope and Digiscope.
Schlumberger
Engineer - Mechanical and Electric Systems
Sep 1996 - Mar 2002
Responsibilities
Responsible for the global deployment of the SlimPulse mechanical pulser fleet, a
slim hole directional drilling tool. Responsibilities included traveling to
remote locations for field testing, reporting, root cause analysis, and
transferring the design to manufacturing.
Designed a precision servo actuated down hole SlimPulse mud pulser. Responsible for the
design of the electric motor, gearbox, drive shaft, mud pulser. Designed
and executed the functional and harsh environment qualification tests for
the system.
University of Houston
Instructor
2005 - 2006
Responsibilities
Taught course on Education & Technology.
Polaroid
Intern - Optics Division
Jun 1995 - Aug 1995
Responsibilities
Developed numerical model of a bouncing ball scanner used to optimize the physical scanner design.
Polaroid
Intern - Optics Division
Mar 1994 - Aug 1994
Responsibilities
Researched and developed a novel scanner
mechanism on a $20,000 budget. Patent issued.
MIT
Intern - MIT Newman Biomechanics Laboratory
Jun 1993 - Aug 1993
Responsibilities
Determined the feasibility of a novel electric motor designed to be the electromechanical analog of human muscle. Paper published.
3M
Intern - Electronic Specialties Group
Jun 1992 - Aug 1992
Responsibilities
Redesigned automotive wire splices for low cost manufacturing. Gained
knowledge in design for manufacturing methods. Also realized the
importance of harness design in reliability.
3M
Intern - Magnetic Technologies Division
Jun 1991 - Aug 1991
Responsibilities
Participated in a magnetic jet flow visualization project. I incorporated
acquired data in a 3-D visualization software. Gained knowledge in
research and design methods.
Johnson & Johnson
Intern - Orthopaedics
Jun 1990 - Aug 1990
Responsibilities
Researched current and future tibial component designs for the knee
prosthesis. Gained knowledge in knee mechanics and anatomy, and bone
composition. Scrubbed in to view two surgeries!
Education
University of Pennsylvania
Studying for Doctor of Education
2015 - 2023
Field of Study
Studying for Doctor of Education - Chief Learning Officer Program
Stanford University
Master of Science (MS)
1994 - 1996
Field of Study
Master of Science (MS) - Mechanical Engineering
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Bachelor's degree
1989 - 1993
Field of Study
Bachelor's degree - Mechanical Engineering
Sinton ISD, TX
High School Diploma
1976 - 1989
Field of Study
High School Diploma
Skills
Core technical and professional competencies derived from decades of engineering, management, and educational leadership.
Technical & Engineering
Robotics EngineeringDownhole Drilling ToolsNew Product Development (NPD)System DesignLean Six Sigma
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