Jim Bretl is an experienced engineer with a PhD in naval architecture and marine engineering. He has over 15 years of experience in modeling, designing, and testing ocean systems, with a focus on wave energy conversion devices. His skills include hydrodynamic analysis, mechanical design, model testing, control system development, and project management. He currently works as a senior hydrodynamicist for Ocean Power Technologies, where he leads numerical modeling and physical testing projects.

1. Jim Bretl
jimbretl@gmail.com | 6280 Point Pleasant Pike | Doylestown, PA 18902 | 734-276-2187
Summary
Creative, driven, and versatile engineer with deep experience in the design, fabrication and modeling of mechatronic
systems. My most recent focus has been ocean systems within a cutting edge, research driven organization. Core
competencies from this and previous positions demonstrate strong problem solving capacity, analytic thinking, technical
proficiency, versatility, and hands on ability.
Education
2009 Phd, University of Michigan - Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering Ann Arbor, MI
2005 MSE NA&ME, University of Michigan
2000 PE - Mechanical Engineering, Spring
1990 BSME- Michigan Technological University, Mechanical Design Houghton, MI
Technical Expertise
Wave/Body Interaction Structural Analysis Tank Test Planning Statistical Analysis
Hydrodynamic Analysis Mooring Analysis Mechanical Design Requirements Definition
Project Management Hardware In the Loop Scale Model Design Met Ocean Data Analysis
Fatigue Analysis Design Load Analysis Control Design Time Series Analysis
Professional Work Experience
2009 to Present - Senior Hydrodynamicist, Ocean Power Technologies. Numerical modeling and testing of ocean wave
energy capture (WEC) devices.
• Extensive work with numerical simulation tools for stability, seakeeping, maneuvering, and mooring analysis
of marine systems. Improved existing modeling systems and added new capabilities. Simulation design
includes frequency and time domain basis.
• Extensive experience using statistical methods to evaluate performance metrics for ocean site specific data.
This includes tide, wind and wave conditions ranging from typical to extreme.
• Lead team through development and testing of advanced control of WEC power take off systems. Experience
with software in the loop, hardware in the loop and real-time testing. Integrated Simulink with OrcaFlex using
a custom real-time object target system. Resulting system can be utilized as a test bed for navigation system
development and simulation.
• Design, management, and execution of model tests at a number of wave tank facilities (NRC-Ottawa,
Akishima-Tokyo and NRC-St. John's NF). Studies ranged from operational to survival wave conditions.
• Physical model design, manufacture, assembly and testing on model scales from 100:1 to 20:1.
• Tests employed a broad array of sensor technologies for measurement and control. Results supported fatigue,
design load and motion specifications for full scale WEC design. Operational tests included advanced control
implementations for the power takeoff. Tests were challenging but ultimately very successful.
2009 - Contract Naval Architect, Portland OR. Managed and executed structural design for retrofit of SS Pacific Tracker
with new MSD system. Obtained ABS approval for the project.
1993 to 2003 - Engineering Manager, Dynetics Engineering Corporation and Needs-Mett, Incorporated. Design,
development and manufacture of high speed material handling systems. Broad range of responsibilities included:
• Primary customer interface including conceptual product design and specification, order requirements
planning and product delivery.
• Prototype mechanical design and development from concept to detail design for manufacture and purchase
requirements detail.
• Manufacturing optimization CNC programming. Acquired skills in machine setup and operation.
1990 to 1993 - Project Engineer, Ellis & Watts - Division of Dynamics Corporation of America. Project manager for
design and manufacture of mobile/relocatable buildings and facilities Clients included military, medical, and commercial
sectors. Lead engineer for mobile waste water treatment laboratory and a mobile military radar platform.

2. Software
MatLab, Simulink, FORTRAN, WAMIT, Orcaflex, AutoCAD, LabView
Professional / Non-Profit Affiliations
Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers
American Red Cross - Marinette, WI , 2000 to 2003 Board of Directors, Chapter Board chairman in 2003.
Manna On Main – Lansdale, PA ,Volunteer
Publications / Patents
“Results From an Integrated Tool for Marine System Hydrodynamic and Control Modeling ”, J. Bretl, et al., OMAE 2015,
St. John's, Newfoundland
“System Level Approach to the Design, Development, Testing, and Validation of Wave Energy Converters at Ocean Power
Technologies ”, M. Mekhiche, K. Edwards, J. Bretl OMAE 2014, San Francisco
“An Empirical Demonstration of the Benefit of Deterministic Sea Wave Prediction WEC Power Output”, OMAE 2013,
Nantes, France
“Analysis of the Sensing Systems Integrated into the MHL Wave Sensing Buoy”, Internal Document – 2007 A review of
buoy mounted sensing systems used to measure wave climate. Recommendations are made for the technologies to be
employed for wave buoy development at the U of M Marine Hydrodynamics Lab.
Patent (7,137,554) Card mailer system and method of preparing card packages for mailing - 2006
NDSEG Fellowship – University of Michigan, $150,000 - 2005
USCG OTH RIB Seakeeping analysis of rigid bottom inflatable hull vessels for the US Coast Guard - 2005 This report
documented seakeeping tests performed on Rigid Hull Inflatable boats. A novel, vision based approach for measuring the
surface elevation was validated and employed.
Patent (6,719,198) Card package production system with a multireader card track and method - 2004