About Fastway Engineering

Under the leadership of Founder and Managing Director Jim Shaw, Fastway Engineering is a two-pronged business providing Expert consulting services and world-class training in Computer Aided Design and Engineering Software. Based in Chicago, IL, Fastway serves a wide range of clients across the aerospace and defense, automotive, manufacturing and automation, and electronics industries. The consulting arm of the business solves some of the most complex design problems facing these industries, often by conducting structural and thermal simulations using Finite Element Analysis (FEA) and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). The training arm of Fastway helps engineering firms of all sizes stay competitive by teaching invaluable FEA skills in a very hands-on and impactful manner. The concept for "unbiased CAD/CAE expertise" was born from Jim Shaw’s frustration at an industry focused on sales more so than support and training. As his career progressed, he discovered that Professional Development in CAD/CAE tools was a chronic issue at an alarming number of companies. In short, the software companies are developing software faster than users can learn it. So, in 2007, Jim began to develop coursework for small groups of professionals in Chicago. Fastway Engineering was ultimately founded in 2013, with the aim of sharing these successful classes with a wider audience. Fastway teaches classes in many major CAD/CAE software programs and often tailors course material directly to a company’s current projects. All of Fastway’s classes employ a Project-Based Learning (PBL) method, built around solving open-ended problems. This approach promotes teamwork, problem-solving, and ultimately facilitates a deeper understanding of how to take advantage of the most powerful design tools and best practices. Fastway Engineering strives to be the best CAD/CAE education company in the world while continuing to provide top-notch consulting services to small teams, mid-market firms, major corporations, academic institutions, as well as the CAD/CAE software companies themselves.

Fastway Engineering Founder & Managing Director Jim Shaw has over 20 years of high-level engineering experience, and is a leading expert in computer aided design (CAD) finite element analysis (FEA), and computational fluid dynamics (CFD). As a consultant and a trainer, Jim Shaw has raised the bottom line of companies ranging from global manufacturers to startups and enriched the careers and capacities of hundreds of students along the way. Jim’s expertise in the major CAD/CAE softwares—including ANSYS, Autodesk, Onshape, PTC Creo, Simscale, and SOLIDWORKS—is widely recognized. He has worked directly with several major CAD/CAE software companies to develop digital learning content but maintains a software-agnostic approach as a trainer in order to best ensure his students’ success. Jim holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Pittsburgh, and a Masters of Business Administration from Babson, you can reach him at jshaw@fastwayengineering.com Read Jim’s full bio here  

Corey Davis is a Mechanical Engineer, who utilizes his always-expanding bench of proficiency with CAD/CAE tools, simulation analysis, and product development to propel teams of all sizes to the next level of engineering design. Corey takes technical and empirical data and distills it into user-friendly visuals to communicate complex computational simulations into easy-to-understand, results driven solutions. Understanding the big picture, he has worked with clients through every step of the design process, from conceptualization to prototyping to manufacturing. He enjoys taking on new challenges with an “outside of the box” mentality, and believes successful design is rooted in experimentation, iteration, and optimization. When he isn’t “questioning everything”, Corey enjoys delving through old rock albums, hiking outside, and 3D printing personalized knick-knacks for friends and family. Corey holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Miami University in Ohio. You can reach him at cdavis@fastwayengineering.com  

Conor Faut is a Sales Executive at Fastway Engineering, where he leverages extensive experience in business development, sales strategy, and client relationship management. Conor specializes in driving growth for engineering solutions by partnering with clients across industries, from startups to established enterprises. His approach is centered on understanding client needs, identifying innovative opportunities, and delivering tailored solutions to meet engineering and technical challenges. Throughout his career, Conor has honed his ability to connect with decision-makers, foster meaningful relationships, and accelerate business results. Whether it's attending industry events or engaging with prospective clients, he is committed to pushing the boundaries of what Fastway Engineering can offer. He holds a degree in BBA in Management Information Systems and Marketing from Ohio University You can reach him at cfaut@fastwayengineering.com.