Kyle Clark, Ph.D., is an accomplished materials and process engineering leader with over 11 years of experience driving scalable manufacturing innovations across the electronic devices, batteries, and fluid process scale-up industries. With a deep expertise in process development, automation, cost reduction, and leadership, he has successfully transformed manual operations into highly efficient, automated manufacturing workflows, helping businesses transition from pilot production to full-scale industrial operations.
As a principal materials development engineer at MycoWorks, Kyle led production scaling initiatives, pioneering next-generation material implementations and driving quality improvements for the company’s Reishi™ leather product. His work in equipment design, supplier negotiations, and process optimization played a critical role in increasing production efficiency and reducing defects. By designing and optimizing a new manufacturing facility, he expanded throughput from 10 to over 1,000 sheets per day, laying the foundation for long-term scalable growth. Additionally, his innovative manual imaging system, developed for just $2,000, enabled defect tracking and quality control, saving the company $500,000 compared to automated alternatives.
Previously, as senior process engineer II at Halio (formerly Kinestral Technologies), Kyle played a key role in scaling electrochromic window production from R&D pilot stages to high-volume global manufacturing. He was responsible for cutting production cycle time by 50% and led the design and installation of large-scale equipment systems, ensuring seamless technology transfers across facilities in the United States and Taiwan. His cost-reduction strategies delivered millions in savings through vendor negotiations and equipment efficiency improvements, further strengthening operational capabilities.
Beyond his engineering expertise, Kyle is a skilled leader in cross-functional team collaboration and project management. He has successfully managed global vendor relationships, aligning production goals with supplier capabilities and design specifications to minimize project delays. His strategic approach to technology integration and process efficiency has enabled him to identify constraints, optimize system bottlenecks, and improve manufacturing workflows, ensuring operational success in fast-paced, high-growth environments.
Kyle’s educational background is equally impressive, holding a Ph.D. and M.S. in materials science & engineering from the University of California, Berkeley, along with a B.S. in mathematics, physics, and chemistry from Emory & Henry College. His technical expertise spans materials characterization, process engineering, high-precision equipment integration, and data analysis, with proficiency in JMP, SQL, ImageJ, and advanced imaging techniques.
He is also an experienced speaker and presenter, having conducted public presentations on data reading and process optimization. With extensive international exposure across Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, France, and Spain, Kyle has successfully collaborated with global teams and suppliers to drive innovation and operational excellence.
Outside of his professional work, Kyle is passionate about hiking, backpacking, and cooking, enjoying activities that challenge him both physically and creatively. Now, he is actively seeking board and advisory roles where he can leverage his expertise in process scale-up, industrial automation, and manufacturing efficiency. With over a decade of experience leading startups through growth, cost reduction, and operational transformation, Kyle is committed to helping businesses scale and succeed by sharing his knowledge, insights, and strategic leadership.
Character: Kyle Clark, Ph.D., is a dedicated and results-driven engineering leader with a strong commitment to innovation, efficiency, and problem-solving in manufacturing.
Knowledge: With deep expertise in materials science, process development, and manufacturing scale-up, Kyle has successfully optimized production systems and implemented cost-saving strategies across multiple industries.
Strategic: Kyle has a proven ability to identify constraints, streamline workflows, and lead technology integration efforts that drive scalable growth and operational excellence.
Communication: An experienced speaker and cross-functional collaborator, Kyle effectively translates complex technical concepts into actionable strategies for teams, stakeholders, and executive leadership.
