Lead image by Thicha Satapitanon / iStock
By Dan Rubinstein
In high school, Damiano Alloggia excelled at science and math and had a passion for cars. Choosing a university program was an easy decision.
All signs pointed to engineering.
Alloggia enrolled in Mechanical Engineering at Carleton University, drawn in part by the degree’s co-op program and also by an opportunity to join Ravens Racing, a team of students that designs, builds and competes with a race car.
During his studies, he completed co-op placements at Natural Resources Canada and the National Research Council. In his fourth year, he led the design and construction of a lightweight, carbon-fibre suspension system for Ravens Racing as part of his capstone project.
Damiano Alloggia
After graduating, Alloggia’s hands-on experience helped propel him into the automotive industry, working for Fiat Chrysler LLC and later the Ford Motor Company in Michigan.
Eventually, he moved back home to Ottawa-based Gastops, where he supported clients in the wind turbine sector as part of the company’s Energy and Industrial business unit. Alloggia also continued working in the automotive space at Gastops, playing a key role in partnerships with Formula One racing teams.
Since then, Alloggia’s career has shifted to sustainable construction, and he credits his education at Carleton with instilling much more than the technical side of engineering.
“Many people have a preconceived notion that an engineering degree only leads to R&D or sitting in front of a laptop all day,” he says.
“That’s not the case at all. Every day is a different challenge. Sure, it can be technical, but there’s also an important interpersonal aspect to it, and you have to pick up new things very quickly. Getting an engineering degree really teaches you how to learn.”
From Development to Production to Launch
Getting hired by Fiat Chrysler was a dream gig for Alloggia. As a product engineer working on vehicles like the Jeep Cherokee, he was responsible for designing powertrain components.
The role gave him exposure to various teams within the company. He ensured that parts were properly tested, distributed and integrated into prototypes, ultimately helping vehicles move smoothly from development to full production and on-time launch.
At Ford, Alloggia transitioned into vehicle integration, managing performance attributes rather than individual components for vehicles like the Ford Mustang and Lincoln Continental. Specifically, he was responsible for ensuring that vehicles met their top speed targets, coordinating with teams overseeing tires, engines and other key systems while also working with regulatory bodies.
Photo by wellesenterprises / iStock
This experience proved invaluable for his business development role at Gastops, a company that specializes in sensor technology for engine health monitoring. Its equipment detects metal particles in lubricant oil, an early indicator of potential wear in bearings or gears.
While Gastops primarily serves the aviation, aerospace and power generation industries, Alloggia helped expand its reach into Formula One, working with teams like Ferrari, McLaren and Red Bull.
“Teams would call us up and say they wanted to test our products,” he says.
“They would reach out, eager to put our technology to the test in high-performance environments. It was exciting to see our products in action at that level.”
Rewarding Work in Renewable Energy
While auto racing was an exciting part of his position at Gastops, Alloggia found his most meaningful work in the renewable energy industry. Like race cars, these massive wind turbines rely on complex gearboxes that require constant monitoring.
“We needed someone with a strong engineering background who could communicate effectively with turbine manufacturers and operators,” he says.
“Renewable energy has tremendous growth potential, and we’re seeing increasing activity not just in North America, but also in markets like South America and Asia.”
In February, Alloggia left Gastops to return to the National Research Council (NRC), where he had previously completed a 16-month co-op after his third year at Carleton. Now, as a Senior Technical Officer for Climate Change Mitigation at the NRC’s Construction Research Centre, his work focuses on decarbonizing the construction sector — advancing sustainable practices in new builds, retrofits, demolition and material recycling.
Reusable waste from old houses and buildings (Photo by HildaWeges / iStock)
“We need to move this sector forward to meet Canada’s net-zero targets,” he says.
“It’s incredibly rewarding to know that my work is making a real difference.”
Reflecting on his journey, Alloggia sees this new role as coming full circle. “When I did my co-op at the NRC, I wasn’t just doing busy work. I was part of a team developing composite materials for the aviation industry. My education at Carleton gave me the foundation to take on those challenges, explore new opportunities and remain adaptable throughout my career.”
Photo of NRC building by James Wagner / iStock
Monday, February 24, 2025 in Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Design
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