Aman Patel

VP of Engineering at Model Z

Speaker

Aman Patel is a leader in manufacturing and engineering for modular construction, with a decade of experience designing products, setting up factories, and implementing systems that enable large-scale, e icient, and high-quality housing production.

He currently serves as Vice President of Engineering at Model/Z, where he was the first employee and played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s vision and operational framework. From day one, Aman laid the foundation for success along with defining the product and manufacturing strategies. He oversaw the selection and fit-out of the company’s first factory, ensuring it met stringent manufacturing requirements for capacity, layout, equipment, and supplier proximity.

At Model/Z, Aman has led the development of a highly optimized 1-bedroom modular unit through the application of Design for Manufacturing (DFM) principles, achieving significant weight reductions and e iciency gains. He established the company’s CAD, PDM, and PLM systems, built high-performing products and manufacturing engineering teams. His leadership extends to product validation, process optimization, and the design of assembly line to further increase throughput and reduce labor costs. Aman is also leading the creation of a first-of-its-kind software tool designed to streamline the entire cradle-to-grave process of housing development—from property identification and design to permitting, manufacturing, and installation. This platform has the potential to unlock the true scalability of modular housing by removing key bottlenecks in development, dramatically reducing costs and accelerating project timelines from years to months.

Before Model/Z, Aman held senior manufacturing and engineering roles at multiple modular startups, including CRATE Modular, Impact Housing, Universal Standard Housing, and RAD Urban. In these positions, he developed end-to-end manufacturing strategies, optimized plant layouts, implemented Lean and Six Sigma practices, transitioned companies from 2D to 3D CAD workflows, and integrated digital MES/QMS solutions to replace paper-based processes. His e orts consistently resulted in measurable gains in productivity, quality, and cost-e iciency.

Aman holds a Master’s in Integrated Manufacturing Systems Engineering from North Carolina State University and a Bachelor’s in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Mumbai. Passionate about transforming how housing is built, Aman’s work has directly contributed to the manufacturing of over 2,500 modular units in California. His blend of technical expertise, operational leadership, and innovative problem-solving positions him at the forefront of industrialized construction—bridging the gap between cutting-edge design, scalable manufacturing, and end-to-end development solutions.