Engineer. Simulate. Build: How Zoltan Farkas Integrates Software and Engineering at Turul Engineering

“We don’t sell software just to sell it,” says Farkas. “We use it every day, we rely on it, and we help others build better products and businesses with these software tools. “

Zoltan Farkas is more than a mechanical engineer — he’s a multidisciplinary innovator who moves seamlessly between the worlds of aerospace hardware, advanced FEA simulation, CNC machining and high-performance software solutions. As the founder and principal of Turul Engineering, LLC, Farkas has channeled decades of experience in optomechanical design, CAD/CAM/CAE simulation, and prototype fabrication into a company that is as much about solving engineering challenges as it is about delivering tools to empower others.

Turul team member Ray Rodgers and Zoltan in front of their newest DN Solutions LYNX 2100LSYB machine

An Engineer’s Journey: From Hungary to Arizona

Farkas began his technical journey as a certified toolmaker in Hungary, a foundation that gave him hands-on manufacturing knowledge at a young age. In 1995, he came to the United States through a student exchange program and later enrolled at Arizona State University (ASU), where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in mechanical engineering.

He spent over a decade working in ASU’s Physics Research Instrument Shop and later as Lead Mechanical Engineer at the MARS Space Flight Facility, where he designed, analyzed and helped manufacture complex instruments for multiple high-profile space missions. His resume includes leadership roles on NASA projects like the OSIRIS- REx mission (OTES instrument), the Emirates Mars Mission (EMIRS Instrument), and the recently launched Europa Clipper mission (E-THEMIS Instrument).

Founding Turul Engineering

In 2008, recognizing the need for an engineering-driven design and manufacturing firm, Farkas founded Turul Engineering in Mesa, Arizona. The company takes its name from the Turul, a mythological bird of prey in Hungarian folklore that symbolizes strength, vision, and guidance. For Farkas, it’s a personal name that reflects both his heritage and the company’s mission: to rise above conventional engineering constraints and deliver forward-thinking solutions.

Farkas says, “The company was built to fill a gap between traditional machine shops and high-end R&D facilities — offering mechanical design, structural analysis, and short-run prototype manufacturing.” Turul quickly gained a reputation for its ability to take projects from concept to completion, with in-house capabilities for vibration and structural analysis, optomechanical design, and rapid prototyping. Its unique value proposition lies in offering engineering services with a full suite of digital design tools from Siemens — tools that Turul not only uses internally but also sells, supports, and trains others to use. A Software Reseller That Uses What It Sells.

Unlike most software resellers, Turul Engineering lives and breathes the systems it supports. “We’re not just here to sell software,” Farkas explains. “We use these tools daily on real-world projects, and we show our customers how to make them work efficiently in their environments.”

Turul’s software territory covers Arizona, California, Nevada, New Mexico, Colorado, and Utah, with a product portfolio focused on Siemens’ digital manufacturing ecosystem — including Siemens NX, Teamcenter, and other solutions such as Solid Edge, SolidCAM, and CloudNC.

Siemens NX: Digital Twin Technology in Action

At the heart of Turul’s design and simulation work is Siemens NX, an integrated CAD/CAM/ CAE environment that allows users to develop digital twins of physical products. Farkas has built complex assembly FEM models in NX, simulating the interaction of hundreds of components with confidence and speed. “We can make a revision in minutes,” he says, “and see immediately how it impacts the mechanical system.”

NX eliminates translation errors between design, simulation, and manufacturing, enabling a seamless synergy between all the engineering and manufacturing disciplines. This capability is crucial in industries like aerospace and defense, where traceability and compliance are non- negotiable. Having Siemens NX can make you preferred OEM vendor with those who already use this tool. When it comes to space, NX is the name of the game.

Turul also distributes Teamcenter, Siemens’ PLM platform that supports digital product definition, version control, and concurrent engineering across global teams.

Whether you need just a model, an assembly with 100K parts or and 5 axis NC code there is only one tool to reach for. Siemens NX users can realize up to 50% faster product design cycles, 20% shorter time-to-delivery, and a 90% first time yield, Farkas says.

Real Customers, Real Results

Turul’s hybrid model of engineering, software, and manufacturing has earned the trust of diverse clients — from aerospace OEMs to high-end consumer startups. Farkas says, “Our clients range from a 1-person machine shop in Arizona to a luxury watchmaker in Ohio, and we have very cost-effective solutions that work for our clients, regardless their size.”

One standout project involved programming a five-axis aerospace component — a job that took a client five days and Turul just seven hours using NX and SolidCAM. “That’s the kind of difference these tools can make,” Farkas notes.

Customer Success: How Siemens NX Transformed Small Shops

For many small machine shops, time and precision are everything. That’s why two shop owners—Joseph McDonough, who runs a one person operation, and Jared Giannini, part of a two-person team—both turned to Siemens NX with support from Turul Engineering. The results have been game changing.

Joseph has tried nearly every CAD/CAM package—Fusion 360, SolidCAM, GibbsCAM, and more—but says NX is “the most capable and refined system” he’s used. Its synchronous modeling tools let him edit imported geometry quickly, without needing a full design history, saving hours when working with customer-supplied models. Integrated machine tool simulation runs in real time, delivers cycle time estimates within 5–10% of actual, and uses true machine kinematics for accurate collision detection—avoiding costly setup errors. Programming part families is just as efficient: “Once the first program is built, I can generate toolpaths for the rest in minutes.”

Siemens NX CAM - G-Code based machine simulation, no third-party software is needed.

Jared’s team switched from Fusion 360 to NX earlier this year, and the difference was immediate. What used to take hours now takes 10–20 minutes, thanks to AI-driven programming that automatically generates 95% of toolpaths. NX’s ITAR approval was also essential as they moved into government and aerospace work.

Both shop owners credit Turul Engineering’s expertise—particularly founder Zoltan’s in-depth CAD, CAM, and CAE knowledge—for making the transition smooth. “They’re always just a phone call away,” says Jared. Joseph agrees, noting Zoltan’s guidance has been “instrumental in unlocking NX’s full potential.”

For these shops, Siemens NX isn’t just a software upgrade—it’s a force multiplier, helping them operate with the speed, capability, and confidence of much larger operations while tackling increasingly complex jobs.

A Global Perspective, a Local Impact

Though Turul Engineering operates in a highly technical space, its culture is grounded in craftsmanship and education. Farkas regularly teaches clients how to use the tools he provides, offering site-specific training and consulting to ensure success.

He also participates in academic partnerships, including an effort with Northern Arizona University faculty to enable space hardware development in their research labs . As an immigrant, entrepreneur, engineer, and educator, Farkas embodies the modern spirit of American innovation.

Accolades and Recognition

Farkas’s work has earned him recognition from NASA, including the Group Achievement Award and the Robert H. Goddard Exceptional Achievement Award for his contributions to the OSIRIS-REx mission. He is also a published author in the SPIE journal, having co-authored a paper on diamond fly-cutting techniques for infrared instrumentation.

Looking Ahead: Engineering the Future

With roots in old-world craftsmanship and a f irm grasp of modern digital tools, Zoltan Farkas is uniquely positioned to help manufacturers navigate the next industrial revolution. Turul Engineering continues to expand its reach — not only as a service provider but as a thought leader in digital manufacturing.

And there’s more on the horizon — stay tuned for Turul’s latest agreement to carry an advanced robotics line, bringing even greater automation and capability to their customers.

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Turul Engineering LLC was established in response to a void in the industry for an innovative firm that is capable of engineering and prototyping complex components for companies seeking high quality, precision craftsmanship.

To learn how they can support your manufacturing and engineering requirements, call: 480 420 7117 or email: info@turulengineering.com