Merritt Morris is a Mechanical Engineer with over 20 years experience in the automotive industry. She got her start in automotive performance, working in areas of stand alone engine management systems, turbochargers and professional racing. Looking towards the future, it wasn’t long before she made a pivot and switched to work in vehicle electrification. She spent 14 years developing electric vehicle propulsion systems from ground up design into production for large OEMs and EV startups. Now she is working on growing the micro-mobility last mile delivery service sector.

Merritt has had multiple personal vehicle projects featured in magazines, online publications and television shows. She embraces opportunities to encourage other women and girls in STEM fields. It isn’t uncommon to spot her making an appearance in company media spots or talking to engineering students about her journey.

Merritt has also been a fierce competitive athlete through her time in school and throughout her engineering career. She channeled early success in swimming and cross country running into a passion for open water swimming and general fitness. She still sometimes competes when her busy schedule allows, but maintains a constant connection to sport through volunteer work in the planning and execution of open water swimming races in California and Hawaii.

Employment

Coco Delivery | Santa Monica, CA 2022 – Present

  • Test and Reliability

Canoo, Inc. | Torrance, CA 2018 – 2022

  • Test and Reliability
  • Powertrain Test and Validation

Faraday Future | Gardena, CA 2015 – 2018

  • Drive Unit Test and Validation

Garrett Motion, Inc. (Honeywell Turbochargers) | Torance, CA 2014 – 2015

  • Product Engineer, Electric Products

DG-Spec | Long Beach, CA 2010 – 2011

  • Race Engineer

General Motors | Torrance, CA 2008 – 2014

  • Design Release Engineer, High Voltage Cables and Connections
  • Mechanical Motor Design Engineer

Autoblog.com | Virtual 2007 – 2009

  • Contributor

Turbonetics, Inc | Moorpark, CA 2006 – 2007

  • Design Engineer

AutomotiveForums.com | City of Industry, CA 2005 – 2006

  • Race Engineer

AEM | Hawthorne, CA 2005 – 2006

  • Product Engineer

Internships

NASA Goddard Spaceflight Center | Greenbelt, MD 1998 – 1999

United States Senate | Washington D.C. 1997 – 1998

Education

University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA 2002 – 2004

  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering

Kenyon College | Gambier, OH 1999 – 2001

The Madeira School | McLean, VA 1995 – 1999

Athletics

23 Time US Masters Swimming Top Ten

6 Time Waikiki Roughwater Swim Age Group Podium Finisher

2 Time LA Triathlon Relay Podium Finisher

University of Southern California Varsity Swim Team

Kenyon College Varsity Swim Team

Volunteer Work

Naples Island Swims | Former Race Director / Assistant Race Director

Waikiki Rough Water Swim | Webmaster

SAE SoCal Section | Webmaster