01 / 1990s–2000s
Test Engineering
Automated test systems, instrumentation, filtration, and fuel-system testing during twelve years in the automotive industry.
Engineer · Entrepreneur · Author
RobertCummer
At a glance
- 30+
- years in engineering
- 2
- U.S. patents
- Midland
- Michigan
I spent more than thirty years solving engineering problems. In 2025, I started writing books.
Today I am Co-Founder, CTO, and COO of Molly’s Grape & Citrus Company. I am also building a writing career through Mangrove Publishing.
On this site
Work, books,
and notes.
01
Work
Thirty-plus years in automated testing, process control, industrial R&D, systems integration, technical leadership, and business.
02Books
Science-grounded thrillers, historical fiction, Michigan noir, a short memoir, and practical technical books.
03Notebook
Occasional notes on engineering, history, genealogy, books, music, Michigan, and other things I am trying to understand.
Career
More than thirty years
in engineering.
02 / Custom systems
Systems Integration
LabVIEW, PLC integration, instrumentation, custom machinery, and industrial client systems.
03 / Dow R&D
Technical Leadership
Twelve years as a process control engineer serving Dow R&D, later becoming R&D Technical Leader for Process Automation.
04 / 2019–Present
Companies & Publishing
Co-Founder, CTO, and COO at Molly’s Grape & Citrus Company; founder of Mangrove Publishing, AgroLytics, and Iris Automation.
Books / Mangrove Publishing
Fiction, history,
and technical books.
I write science-grounded thrillers, historical fiction, and practical books for engineers and technicians. Work the Problem is a short account of my heart surgery and recovery.
Browse the booksNotebook
Notes and occasional essays.
Engineering, history, research, genealogy, books, music, Michigan, and other subjects I am interested in. There is no publishing schedule.
Open the notebook →01
Engineering & Systems
Technology, automation, law, institutions, and infrastructure.
02
American History
The Revolution, Civil War, Reconstruction, Michigan history, migration, and genealogy.
03
Reading & Writing
Books I am reading, projects I am working on, and what I learn in the process.
04
Other Interests
Vinyl, live music, Detroit sports, beer, bourbon, and the rest of life.
In the press
Recent coverage.
About
Engineering, entrepreneurship, and writing.
I grew up in Clio, Michigan, and have made Midland my home for more than twenty years. My career includes automotive testing, systems integration, Dow R&D, entrepreneurship, and writing.
More about me