Ahmed Imam

Versatile Mechanical Engineering Expert with over 25 years of multidisciplinary hands-on experience bridging fluid power engineering, advanced R&D, and large-scale MRO operations. Proven track record directing engineering departments, managing multidisciplinary technical teams, and overseeing complex fluid power systems across aerospace, industrial, and defense sectors. Expert in electro-hydraulic servo-actuators, pump-controlled hydraulic circuits, and root-cause failure analysis.

Inventor holding a US patent with 13 novel claims in oscillation-free hydraulic circuits' designs. Combines deep technical skills with strategic vision, program, and logistics management to drive operational excellence.

Post-Doctoral Fellow (Mechanical Engineering) at University of Manitoba (2025-07 – Present)

• Direct fluid power research programs, advising and mentoring graduate students on electro-hydraulic and pneumatic system architectures.
• Model and simulate hydraulic actuation circuits for wind turbine blade pitch controls; integrate real-time hydraulic simulations with OpenFAST software to evaluate normal, emergency, and fault scenarios.
• Retrofitted and restored complex 5-DOF pneumatic manipulators and engineered portable pneumatic test stations for advanced educational demonstration.

Ph.D. Researcher & Research Assistant at University of Manitoba (2013-09 – 2021-02)

• Developed mathematical models and SIMULINK/Simscape simulations to solve severe vibration and instability issues in pump-controlled hydraulic circuits for single-rod actuators.
• Designed, sourced, and assembled a 50 hp high-power hydraulic test rig utilizing a full-scale JD-48 backhoe to experimentally validate novel circuit architectures.
• Developed 8 novel oscillation-free pump-controlled hydraulic circuit designs, resulting in 9 peer-reviewed publications and a granted US Patent.

Chief of Aircraft Maintenance Department (All Fleets) at Egyptian Air Force (2024-01 – 2025-01)

• Directed comprehensive fleets' maintenance and engineering operations across all airfields, overseeing maintenance managers, technical staff, and engineering logistics.
• Administered departmental budgets, authorized capital and emergency expenditures, and optimized high-value spare parts inventory systems.
• Enforced compliance with Approved Maintenance Organization (AMO) standards, Quality Assurance frameworks, and military airworthiness regulations.

Chief of Airframe and Systems Engineers Department (All Fleets) at Egyptian Air Force (2022-07 – 2023-12)

• Led multidisciplinary engineering teams in executing structural, mechanical, and hydraulic modifications across various aircraft fleets.
• Served as senior technical authority for complex failure analysis, fatigue monitoring, damage evaluation, and approval of Engineering Change Proposals (ECPs).
• Directed the successful structural and system restoration of a fire-damaged medium-range transportation aircraft (C-295M), conducting 3D modeling, stress analysis, and structural manufacturing—saving $12M+.

Chief of Engineering Department – Helwan Main Depot Center at Egyptian Air Force (2020-07 – 2022-06)

• Managed overhaul and engineering operations for aircraft structures, engines, hydraulic, pneumatic, and powertrain systems.
• Spearheaded reverse engineering initiatives to develop repair procedures and manufacturing documentation for complex components lacking technical data.
• Led failure investigations on repetitive hydraulic pump and flight control failures; engineered the recovery and re-certification of a fire-damaged PT6A-67 turboshaft engine, saving $1.5M+.

Chief of Mechanical Research Department (R&D) at Egyptian Air Force (2016-10 – 2020-06)

• Spearheaded R&D strategy and lifecycle execution from initial design to prototyping, field testing, and mass production.
• Oversee mechanical load, vibration, and environmental testing (e.g., MIL-STD-810) to ensure strict airworthiness compliance.
• Managed patent documentation, and departmental budgets while fostering cross-departmental collaboration between engineering and operations.

Head of Maintenance Workshop (SA-342) at Egyptian Air Force (2012 – 2013)

Managed workshop operations, production planning, facility resources, and safety compliance.

Hydraulic System & Components Repair Engineer (CH-47 Chinook) at Egyptian Air Force (2000 – 2012)

Directed overhaul, testing, and troubleshooting of Helicopter control hydraulic systems, high-pressure pumps, actuators, servo-valves, and hydraulic transmission lines.

Part-Time Lecturer at Air Force Academy & Different Fleets (1999 – 2023)

Instructed courses in Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Aerodynamics, and Flight Controls.

Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Mechanical Engineering (Fluid Power Focus) – University of Manitoba (2025-07 – 2026-06)

Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering (Pump-Controlled Hydraulic Circuits Design) – University of Manitoba (2013-09 – 2021)

M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering (Electro-Hydraulic Servo-Valve Actuators) – Zagazig University (2003)

B.Sc. in Aircraft Mechanical Engineering – Military Technical College (1996)