Matt Brannies

Education

BFA Product Design (Magna Cum Laude)
University of Oregon
09/2021-06/2023
Product designers are the people who create the tools, transportation, computers, clothes, sofas, and sports equipment to fit the changing needs of people's lives. focusing on materials, idea generation, prototyping, and manufacturing.

MS Immersive Media Communications
University of Oregon
09/2023-06/2024
Immersive media—including virtual (VR), augmented (AR), and extended reality (XR)—and how to use these new technologies to solve social, environmental, and business problems.

Work History

-Test Associate with Experis
Meta
2025 to Present

● Conduct quality assurance testing for the Horizon Worlds game engine.

● Identify areas for improvement and provide recommendations for new game engine features.

-Virtual Event Coordinator & Designer
Virtual Odyssey VR
2023 to 2025

● Led the design and execution of virtual events and social experiences for 150+ attendees.

● Built immersive environments in Unity and Maya for VR platforms, optimizing creator workflows.

● Collaborated with developers and stakeholders to align technical solutions with creative goals.

● Produced video and multimedia content to engage audiences across platforms.

-Lead Fabrication Lab Technician
University of Oregon College of Design,
Portland OR
2022 to 2023

● Led regular orientation tours of the lab and taught students how to safely operate woodworking tools, laser cutters, and CNC tables
● Conducted regular preventative maintenance on all machinery to ensure proper function.
● Troubleshot and repaired any deficiencies in the Lab.

-Laboratory Service Engineer
Lam Research, Tualatin, OR
2016 to 2020

● Set up and conducted research for new product configurations.
● Performs the set-up, calibration, testing, and troubleshooting of instruments and mechanical assemblies.
● Coordinates with other departments to ensure the smooth transition of all systems between each stage.
● Prepares technical reports summarizing findings and implements solutions to a variety of problems.
● Assisted in the integration of new products from the Pilot program into regular manufacturing.
● Trained and educated a transition team after the acquisition of systems by a new team.

-USN Submarine Machinery Maintenance Mechanic
USN. Portsmouth PNSY DET SD in San Diego, CA
2008 to 2016

● Oversaw education and training of lower-ranking department crew members.
● Provided leadership support for special projects.
● Repaired large machinery for numerous submarines using instruction from quality assurance packages.
● Provided operational support for submarines with general repair necessary for Western Pacific Deployment.
● Interviewed applicants for qualification advancement during the critical onboarding phase of new recruits.