Meet the Jarrett Engineering Tribe
Matt McNeely
Owner/CEO
Matt McNeely is the Owner and CEO of Jarrett Engineering, leading the company with a commitment to innovation, operational excellence, and long‑range strategic growth. Since joining Jarrett Engineering in 2009, Matt has built a reputation for adaptability, problem‑solving, and driving continuous improvement across engineering and design operations.
Starting his career as a Junior Designer, Matt quickly proved his strengths in technology, engineering, and financial stewardship—attributes he refers to as his “MBA from the School of Hard Knocks.” His hands‑on experience and business intuition have helped position Jarrett Engineering as a trusted partner for custom mechanical design and manufacturing solutions.
Before stepping into leadership, Matt worked in broadband support and fiber‑optic design engineering, gaining deep expertise in infrastructure systems.
Core Focus Areas
- Strategic direction and company growth
- Financial stewardship and client compliance
- IT innovation, automation, and operational excellence
Matt’s leadership philosophy centers on collaboration, sustainability, and strong relationships within the company and the community.
Beyond the Office
Matt is a husband, father of two, and an enthusiast of basketball, hiking, and unique automotive projects. He actively supports Central Indiana charities.
Guiding Principle:
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.”
Dan Langley
Designer and Fabricator
Dan Langley is a Designer and Fabricator at Jarrett Engineering, bringing more than 15 years of hands‑on machining, fabrication, and mechanical design experience. Raised around machine tools and precision equipment, Dan developed an early passion for manufacturing and engineering problem‑solving.
From machine operator and toolmaker to mechanical design specialist, Dan’s career bridges practical shop‑floor knowledge with advanced digital design capability. His work ensures that every concept is manufacturable, efficient, and cost‑effective—qualities essential to modern engineering teams.
Core Strengths
- Machining, fabrication, and precision component builds
- Mechanical design & manufacturing process expertise
- ISO‑compliant solutions for automotive and aerospace
- SolidWorks & Autodesk software proficiency
Dan is committed to continuous learning in engineering design and emerging technologies.
Beyond Work
Dan enjoys family time, outdoor exploration, and activities that keep him grounded and balanced.
Dave Showalter
Innovation & R&D Engineer
Dave Showalter serves as Jarrett Engineering’s Innovation & R&D Engineer, known internally as the “Chief Conceptor Extraordinaire.” With over 50 years of engineering experience, Dave excels at transforming early‑stage ideas into functional, high‑performance mechanical systems.
He began his career in the 1970s designing dies, molds, and agricultural tooling before moving into estimating, mechanical design, and special machine development. Dave joined Jarrett Engineering in 1982 and has been instrumental in advancing automation, tooling, and high‑speed manufacturing solutions across multiple industries.
Industry Contributions
- Automotive: robotic assembly, Lean Manufacturing cells, material handling, build modules
- Aerospace: advanced process & assembly equipment
- Medical & White Goods: specialized assembly & process systems
Dave’s experience also includes time as a manufacturing engineer, leading process concepts for global automotive programs.
Core Strengths
- Concept development for complex mechanical systems
- Tool design and special machine engineering
- Broad multi‑industry expertise
- Converting ideas into scalable manufacturing solutions
Beyond Work
Dave enjoys woodworking, vintage audio, cycling, and spending time with his family.
Tom Nearon
Senior Designer and Engineering Manager
Tom Nearon is a Senior Designer and Engineering Manager with more than 36 years of experience in custom automated machinery and mechanical design. His career began with drafting courses in high school and vocational studies, followed by industrial design and drafting at the collegiate level.
Tom has designed systems incorporating pneumatics, hydraulics, robotics, servo systems, and complex material‑handling solutions. His work spans automotive, food, floral, consumer goods, safety, and medical manufacturing.
Leadership & Technical Roles
Tom has excelled in a wide range of roles including:
- Project Manager
- Quality Manager & ISO Coordinator
- Internal Audit Manager
- Build & Installation Supervisor
- Estimator & Quoter
Technical Proficiency
- SolidWorks
- Autodesk Inventor
- Microsoft Office applications
Beyond Work
Tom values family time and enjoys boating, fishing, hunting, motorcycles, music, and time with his children, grandchildren, and extended family.
Jon Fish
Senior Designer
Jon Fish is a Mechanical Designer with more than 30 years of experience in automated assembly, material handling, and mechanical design. His career began in the Industrial Arts Program at Alexandria Monroe High School, where he focused on machine trades, followed by continued technical education at Ivy Tech, earning an associate degree in Machine Tool Technology.
Jon began his professional engineering career at Gen‑A‑Flex, designing conveyor systems and automated assembly machinery. He later joined Multiple Engineering, where he supported General Motors manufacturing facilities in Anderson, Indiana, designing automated assembly and material‑handling systems. As GM operations left the region, his career path led him to Jarrett Engineering in Indianapolis, where he has been a key contributor for the past 20+ years.
During his tenure at Jarrett Engineering, Jon’s work has included automated assembly systems, material handling, machining fixtures, gages, and die work. He is currently contracted onsite at Eli Lilly and Company as a Mechanical Designer, supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing projects with responsibilities spanning design, detailing, and project management.
TECHNICAL & PROJECT ROLES
Jon has supported projects in a wide range of roles including:
- Mechanical Designer
- Detailer & Manufacturing Documentation Specialist
- Project Management Support
- Automated Assembly & Material Handling Design
TECHNICAL PROFICIENCY
- AutoCAD (multiple generations)
- SolidWorks 3D Modeling
- Autodesk Inventor 3D Modeling
- Manufacturing & Machining Documentation
- 3D Printing: Fortus, Markforged, and Bambu systems
BEYOND WORK
A lifelong aviation enthusiast, Jon pilots full‑scale aircraft and builds and flies RC models. Outside of work, he also enjoys motorcycling, photography, and classic muscle cars—interests that reflect the same mechanical curiosity and attention to detail he brings to every project.
Howard Merritt
Senior Mid-Level Designer
Howard Merritt is a Mechanical and Electrical Designer with more than 45 years of experience in engineering, drafting, and custom equipment design. His interest in engineering began in high school, where he studied mechanical drafting, architectural drafting, and electronics—skills that laid the foundation for a long and successful career in technical design.
After relocating from Michigan to Indiana in 1979, he joined Jarrett Engineering as a draftsman and has since contributed to thousands of projects across multiple industries and engineering disciplines.
Areas of Experience
Throughout his career, he has worked in a wide variety of engineering roles, including:
- Mechanical design
- Telecommunications
- Test and build fixtures
- Gauging systems
- Robotics and automation
- Industrial food preparation equipment
- Pharmaceutical manufacturing
- Automotive manufacturing
- Advanced manufacturing applications
He also brings expertise as an Electrical Designer, skilled in:
- Electrical schematics
- Control panel layout
- System integration support
Technical Proficiency
- SolidWorks
- Solid Edge
- AutoCAD 2D
- Autodesk Inventor
- Unigraphics (NX)
Beyond Work
A father of two and grandfather of six, he enjoys classic science‑fiction films from the 1950s and 60s—especially the low‑budget giant‑bug creature features that defined the era.
Anthony Schmitt
Mechanical Designer & Additive Manufacturing Specialist
Anthony Schmitt is a Mechanical Designer and Additive Manufacturing Specialist with a strong background in CNC machining, product development, and rapid prototyping. He began his career as a CNC operator and programmer in a high‑volume production furniture facility, where he built a solid foundation in machining, tooling, and real‑world manufacturing processes.
Anthony later advanced to a mechanical design role at a CNC machine manufacturer, contributing across design engineering, prototyping, R&D, machining, and hands‑on problem solving. His work emphasized tolerance‑driven design, manufacturability, and practical solutions that support efficient shop‑floor operation.
Areas of Expertise
Anthony specializes in:
- Mechanical design
- Additive manufacturing & 3D printing
- CNC machining fundamentals
- Reverse engineering
- Rapid prototyping
- Tolerance‑driven design principles
- Practical design‑for‑manufacture (DFM) solutions
Technical Proficiency
- Autodesk Inventor
- AutoCAD
- Additive manufacturing systems
- 3D scanning & reverse‑engineering tools
- General machining practices
Beyond Work
Outside the office, Anthony is an avid bowler who drills and customizes his own equipment—and equipment for other bowlers. He also enjoys woodworking, weightlifting, and hands‑on craftsmanship, applying the same precision and attention to detail that define his engineering work.