Professional Role and Affiliation
Robbi McDonald serves as the Assistant Chief Engineer for LNG Off-Engine Vehicle Systems at Westport Fuel Systems, headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia. Her role focuses explicitly on engineering for liquefied natural gas (LNG) applications related to vehicle systems external to the engine itself, highlighting a specialized expertise in alternative fuel technologies for transportation.
Technical Expertise and Industry Involvement
Robbi brings over six years of dedicated experience in LNG technology development within Westport Fuel Systems. Her technical responsibilities encompass the design and integration of advanced LNG vehicle systems aimed at enhancing fuel efficiency and decarbonization of heavy-duty transportation. She has actively contributed to international technical conferences, including the CEC-ICMC (Combustion and Energy Conversion / Internal Combustion Engine and Combustion Symposium), where she presented work related to LNG system innovations. Attendance records from 2019 and 2023 indicate her role as a speaker and sponsorship vice chair, demonstrating leadership and recognized expertise within technical forum settings.
In July 2023 and July 2024, Robbi participated in the CEC/ICMC conference programs, presenting on advanced fluid pump design for hydrogen fuel applications, specifically the "Design of 10 L/s liquid hydrogen pump with integrated inducer and centrifugal impeller." This highlights her expanding focus into hydrogen technology, aligning with broader alternative fuel trends and Westport’s strategic interests.
Contribution to Westport Fuel Systems’ Strategic Focus
Westport Fuel Systems has recently executed corporate restructuring, including the divestiture of its Light-Duty segment for $79.5 million (announced March 31, 2025, and closed shortly thereafter), sharpening its concentration on heavy-duty transportation solutions leveraging CNG and LNG technologies. Robbi’s expertise in LNG off-engine vehicle systems fits squarely within this refocused core competency, positioning her as a vital technical leader in Westport’s innovation pipeline for hard-to-decarbonize mobility sectors.
Her work supports Westport’s active pursuit of energy transition technologies, notably in alternative fuels, including liquefied natural gas and emerging hydrogen systems, which are critical to the company’s future competitive positioning in transportation energy solutions.
Geographic and Corporate Context
Based in Vancouver, B.C., Robbi operates within a key regional hub for Westport Fuel Systems, which is itself publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol WPRT. The company is heavily involved in natural gas technology development, and its recent corporate activities reflect a strategic pivot towards industrial and commercial heavy-duty applications, areas where Robbi’s engineering role directly applies.
Relevant Professional and Technical Networks
Robbi’s engagements include participation on organizing committees and leadership roles in technical events such as CEC-ICMC, indicating her connectedness within the alternative fuel engineering community in Canada and internationally. This provides access to cutting-edge research, industry consortia, and collaborative innovation networks relevant to LNG and hydrogen vehicle system development.
In summary, Robbi McDonald operates at the intersection of engineering innovation and strategic product development for Westport Fuel Systems’ LNG and alternative fuel vehicle systems. Her technical leadership in off-engine LNG vehicle applications, participation in influential energy technology conferences, and alignment with Westport’s renewed business focus render her an authoritative figure in advancing clean energy propulsion systems within the heavy-duty transport industry.
