Jacob Newman
Engineer and Project Manager
Intelliquip
Jacob Newman is known among his coworkers for his creativity and patience, both valuable characteristics in his position as an engineer and project manager at Intelliquip.
Newman, 27, got his start in the pump industry by taking a course on turbulent flow while earning his master’s degree at Lehigh University. “I was particularly interested in the software we used to run our simulations. Soon after, I got a job working at Intelliquip where I was able to explore the power of software applied to hydraulics in a different context,” Newman said.
Newman embraces the challenge of learning fundamentals of the variety of hydraulic equipment available.
“A vertical wet well pump operates in a radically different way when compared to a horizontal positive displacement pump. Compressors, valves, motors and drives also have their own fundamentals when it comes to engineering and design,” Newman said.
The industry’s increasing focus on adapting existing equipment to meet environmental challenges and increasing efficiency makes him excited for the future of industrial pumping. The balance of new technology with a more traditional science, like fluid handling, is what drew Newman to hydraulics. “The pump industry has a lot to gain from the standardization that inherently comes with software, and it’s a pleasure to be part of the intersection of these worlds,” Newman said.
Newman believes it’s important to learn everything you can from industry veterans and to be open to new opportunities. For training, he attends webinars hosted by Pumps & Systems and looks for more informal learning opportunities through projects with his colleagues.
Outside of the world of hydraulic engineering, Newman writes and records music using his collection of musical instruments, including the ukulele.
Earlier this year, Newman earned his project management professional (PMP) certification, and he has also participated in the Hydraulic Institute’s Young Engineers program.
Read about other 10 to Watch winners here.What do you like best about working in this industry? “The world of pumps and hydraulic equipment is underappreciated and essential to our society. It’s important to me to work on technology that helps people and, at the end of the day, that is what this industry is doing.”