Glenn Saunders

Glenn Saunders is a Senior Research Engineer with the Center for Automation Technologies and Systems (CATS) at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute where he is responsible for conducting and managing applied research and development projects in advanced manufacturing, robotics and automation.  Responsibilities typically include concept development, modeling, prototyping, manufacturing process development, systems engineering, development of systems specifications, project management and commercial deployment oversight.  R&D teams generally consist of faculty, staff, commercial partners and graduate and undergraduate engineering students. 

He earned a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Rensselaer in 1982 and an M.Eng. from Rensselaer in 1985, is a licensed New York State Professional Engineer, has one patent and has published in both peer-reviewed journals and trade association publications.  He has fifteen years of experience in small businesses involved in the design and deployment of machine tools, automation systems, robot systems and manufacturing systems with an emphasis on detailed mechanical design and project management. 

He has been with the CATS for thirteen years and is President and founder of the Upstate New York Laboratory Robotics Interest Group, a 501(c)(3) non-profit industry advocacy organization.  Glenn served on the Battery Working Group of the ASME Thermal Energy Storage Task Force and was Co-Chair of the Plenary Session “Highlights and Current Challenges, Development for the Future of Battery Storage” of the 2011 ASME Energy Sustainability-Fuel Cell Conference.  He is the Pre-College Education chair of the Hudson-Mohawk Section of ASME and serves as faculty advisor to the student section of ASME at Rensselaer.