About Excel Engineering
Your Partner in Advanced Testing & Engineering
Excel Engineering is a globally recognized leader in testing and engineering solutions. Our team is trusted worldwide by OEMs, regulatory agencies, and military / defense customers.
We offer a full spectrum of testing services, from research and development to durability and emissions compliance. Our three state-of-the-art facilities are equipped to handle diverse projects, ensuring precise data and efficient solutions.
20+ Years of Powertrain Agnostic Testing Expertise
Excel Engineering was founded in 2002 by Doug Sobotka. After nearly a decade of engineering experience at Cummins Engine Company in Columbus, Indiana, Doug and his family felt a calling to come back home to Diagonal, Iowa — both to be closer to family and to pursue a vision of building something from the ground up.
What began as a two-person operation with a single engine test cell has steadily grown into an industry-leading testing organization. Excel Engineering now has more than 70 team members and three specialized facilities: 30 test cells in Diagonal, IA, 10 in Detroit, MI, and a state-of-the-art battery (BESS) & EV testing center in Mount Ayr, IA
Through Doug’s leadership and deep-rooted commitment to engineering excellence, Excel Engineering continues to deliver the precision, reliability, and trust that manufacturers and innovators depend on every day.
We have consistently invested in innovation and pursued strategic growth initiatives to anticipate and meet the evolving needs of our clients and their technologies:
In 2020, we expanded our capabilities by acquiring a state-of-the-art testing laboratory in Detroit, Michigan – bolstering our commitment to customers across Michigan, Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois. Today, this facility is fully compliant with 40CFR Part1065 standards and offers advanced powertrain testing and development services, supporting global clients with precision and innovation.
In less than 18 months, we successfully established a globally recognized xEV / BESS battery testing facility in Mount Ayr, Iowa, demonstrating our agility and leadership in the electric vehicle market. This continues to be our fastest growing segment, providing full PV/DV test plans and specializing in abuse testing with testing up to 2000V & 1MW.
Capability is expanding with an industry-leading footprint and Megawatt level heat release measurement and capacity
Ten years ago, our team anticipated the future of clean energy and upgraded our facility to be Hydrogen-compliant. Today, Excel operates six advanced test cells capable of Hydrogen ICE testing, as well as short- and long-stack Fuel Cell evaluations and component testing.
Excel owns a dedicated 6-inch Natural Gas pipeline, enabling industry-best pricing, supporting development in NG, CNG, and RNG technologies for our customers
Pioneers in New Testing Methodologies
Excel Engineering is dedicated to the creation of new testing methods across diverse applications, ensuring we remain at the forefront of the industry. Our expertise extends to:
- Altitude and climatic testing
- Powertrain, transmission, and tilt testing
- xHEV capture/supply
- H2 ICE (hydrogen internal combustion engine) and Fuel Cell development
- Ingenious test methods, especially in the new space of EV / electrification / BESS
- Now – 2000V & 1MW for large packs •Expanding BESS with an industry-leading footprint and megawatt-level heat release measurement and capacity (coming soon)
- NVH testing •Vehicle •System •Sub-system •Component •EDM coming soon)
- Chassis Dyno facility •CFR1066 •Class 8 development (coming soon)
- Building smarter test rigs, improving our customers’ budgets and project timing
Industry Recognition & Trust
Our expertise and reliability have earned us the trust of leading organizations and regulatory bodies:
- We are a CARB-approved lab and a trusted EPA partner, authorized to perform selected OEM emissions audits.
- Military and defense customers consistently rely on us for critical development and certification programs, a testament to our commitment to confidentiality and precision.
- We are a trusted partner for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), collaborating on advanced testing and development projects worldwide.
Meet Our Leadership
Doug Sobotka
President
Doug Sobotka grew up on a small family farm in Diagonal, Iowa, where his days were split between helping with chores, tearing down tractors, and exploring the countryside on his dirt bike—whether the trail was there or not. That hands-on, problem-solving spirit led him to Iowa State University for formal training, followed by seven years at Cummins, where he gained industry-shaping experience.
Driven by a belief that there’s always a better way to do things, Doug returned home to Southwest Iowa and began building custom turbos for tractors that needed to be tested. This sparked the creation of Excel Engineering. Over the past 25 years, Doug has built a team that shares his commitment to efficiency, precision, and excellence.
When he’s not leading the charge at Excel, Doug is deeply involved in his community and family. You’ll often find him flying his airplane, thinking or working on his next big idea, or prepping his tractor for the next big pull—always chasing performance and pushing boundaries.
Matt Sobotka
Director – Electrification Testing
Matt Sobotka was born and raised in Mt. Ayr, Iowa—just a few miles from where the Battery Testing Center stands today. His early years were spent on the field playing sports and in his father’s welding shop, where a hands-on, do-it-yourself mentality was forged through countless hours under the hood.
After graduating from Iowa State University, Matt began his professional journey at Almaco, where he spent eight years designing, building, and testing agricultural research equipment. But his heart never left Southwest Iowa. In 2022, the opportunity to help launch the Battery Testing Center brought him back home, combining his technical expertise with a vision for the future of energy storage.
Outside of work, Matt is a dedicated competitor in the Precision Rifle Series, traveling across the U.S. to test his skills. When he’s not at the range, you’ll likely find him in the shop, gunsmithing and fine-tuning his rifles—always chasing precision and performance.
BEN Meikle
V.P. Business Development
Ben Meikle realized his passion for automotive engineering early on—first as the neighborhood bicycle repairman and car stereo installer, and later through the thrill of high school drag racing. That drive led him to Michigan Technological University, where he not only studied engineering but also taught auto mechanics, launching a career that now spans over 25 years in powertrain development and testing.
Throughout his journey, Ben discovered his true strength in bringing people together around technical challenges. Whether leading teams or collaborating with customers, he has consistently fostered innovation through connection. His hands-on mindset—always looking to reuse, fix, or improve—extends beyond work into everyday life.
Family is at the heart of everything Ben does. He thrives outdoors, whether hiking, skiing, or mountain biking. But for him, nature is even better with a motor—so don’t be surprised to find him exploring with a bit of horsepower.
Isaac Lumbard
Senior OPERATIONS leader
Isaac Lumbard is a seasoned engineering professional with over two decades of experience at Excel Engineering, where he has contributed since 2002 as the first-hired employee. With a deep commitment to technical excellence and project integrity, Isaac has played a key role in mentoring nearly every Excel employee and in delivering innovative and reliable engineering solutions across a wide range of projects.
Jeff Doolittle
Chassis Dyno Specialist / Sen. Project Mgr.
Jeff Doolittle grew up just a few miles from the Excel Engineering headquarters in Diagonal. From a young age, he was drawn to anything with an engine—spending his early years playing sports, riding ATVs, and racing dirt track cars. It was on the track that his passion for engines truly ignited.
Outside of work, Jeff and his wife are raising their two kids on a first-generation farm, where they enjoy raising cattle and living the rural lifestyle. When he’s not working or chasing cows, you’ll likely find Jeff in his shop building pulling tractors or fixing dirt bikes for his kids—continuing to share his love for engines with the next generation.
After high school, Jeff began working in the family business, which had little to do with engines. That changed when he discovered Excel Engineering. For the past 13 years, Jeff has been doing what he loves, turning his passion into a career.
Caleb Baker
Emissions Specialist / Manager
Coming Soon.
Pam Grace
CFO
Coming Soon.
Tara Swierczek
V.P. Finance
Coming Soon.
Bob Dolan
Business Development
Bob Dolan grew up in a small town 90 miles north of the metro Detroit area. From an early age Bob has been involved with engines and machinery, from dirt bikes and snowmobiles, to a family tool & die business, to overhauling farm tractors, to building and maintaining late model stock cars.
After college Bob joined Detroit Diesel and soon after went on assignment for 6 years in Germany to support the collaborative development of several new HD engine families; from requirements setting, through all stages of development, to production launch and beyond.
After 20 years in the OEM environment, Bob went into the Engineering Services sector, leading design, analysis and prototyping activities, and later moved into a Business Development role across multiple engineering disciplines and market sectors.
Today Bob supports our business development activities, working with his leadership team colleagues at each of Excel’s locations to continue the company’s growth.
Away from work, Bob’s time is focused on family and friends, volunteer work through his parish, woodworking and competitive shooting sports.
Steve Carlson
DTC General Manager
Steve Carlson brings 30 years of powertrain engineering and business leadership experience to Excel Engineering’s Detroit Technical Center serving automotive, commercial vehicle, industrial, and performance aftermarket customers.
Prior to joining Excel Engineering, Steve spent 13 years at Tula Technology, advancing to Vice President of the Engine & Hybrid Business Line. In this role, he built a global customer pipeline with multiple business models, negotiated 25+ strategic partnerships with automotive and commercial vehicle companies, and led business and engineering teams across the US, Europe, Japan and China.
Steve’s career includes leadership positions at Roush Industries, Delphi Technologies, Robert Bosch Corporation, Lotus Engineering in addition to Tula Technology. He has led more than 25 vehicle certification programs with EPA and CARB for both new vehicle and aftermarket applications. He holds 70 patents in powertrain efficiency and emissions control and has presented at technical conferences worldwide.
Steve holds a bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering technology from Milwaukee School of Engineering and an MBA with a concentration in Finance from Hult International Business School in San Francisco, CA / London, UK.