As Application Engineer for Equilibar, Connor Kerlin brings a strong skillset in areas such as high-speed diagnostics, prototyping and project management, much of which he developed while working as an Experimental Lead at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory ( LLNL) in California.
“I’ve always enjoyed making things, whether that was woodworking or coming up with a better way to water the garden or even 3D printing a fixture that properly holds a travel mug in the cupholder,” Connor said. “Being able to take that joy of making things and improve the workflow of our customers is a huge win for us and for me personally. Knowing that there is something they can see and appreciate every day is extremely rewarding.”
Connor earned a Bachelor of Science degree in mechanical engineering technology from Purdue University, making him our second engineer from Purdue after Equilibar President David Reed.
In another commonality, Connor’s years at LLNL coincided with Equilibar’s work on Project Supplevent ™, the alternative ventilator design that was a collaborative effort with the Lab as well as a fellow NC biotech company. SuppleVent received emergency use authorization during the height of the COVID pandemic, and Equilibar’s role was recognized by the Federal Laboratory Consortium’s Excellence in Technology Transfer Award.
Connor and his wife moved to the Asheville area for her job as an environmental scientist. During their journey from California to North Carolina, they took time along the way to check out national treasures such as the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone.
“We enjoy hiking and camping, so it’s been great to explore the many parks and other wild spaces here in the Appalachians,” Connor said.
His other hobbies include do-it-yourself projects like woodworking and home improvement as well as 3D printing. He has also enjoyed marketing and selling POCKETWASH, a portable eyewash station he designed. “It’s been good to learn more about how businesses operate and how customers are acquired/converted into word-of-mouth advertisers.”
Connor joined Equilibar in early February 2025 and quickly learned the ins and outs of collaborating with customers to find the optimal fluid control solution for a specific scenario. He is particularly interested in the field of Manufacturing Engineering. “While I did get exposure during my undergraduate at Purdue, this really just scraped the surface of modern manufacturing capabilities. I would like to pursue a deeper understanding of past methods and future developments, including such things as salt core injection molding, 5-axis machining, metal/ceramic 3D printing.”
Since joining the team, Connor has enjoyed working with like-minded and motivated colleagues who are always quick to share local tips. “Everyone is patient, kind, and willing to lend a helping hand. I always look forward to working on the uniquely challenging projects we encounter every day.”
