Benjamin Picard-Kerscher Email & Phone Number

Vermont, United States

Sharonville, Ohio, United States

• On a team of 12 mechanical engineers that designed, prototyped, tested, and launched an all-new, class 5/6 electric commercial delivery vehicle.o Responsible for E-Axle mechanical components and integration, cooling and brake hoses/tubes.• Project manager of two pre-production builds for design verification and proof-of-concept. o Chassis ‘Buck’ – Built full-size chassis using metal, wood, and 3D printed parts for design validation.o Chassis ‘Mule’ – Full chassis with a retrofitted body for E-Axle and software calibration/validation.• Assisted the body team to improve front cab and door stiffness, also reduce NVH through durability testing.• SolidWorks and Siemens NX for 3D modeling and 2D drawings.• SolidWorks PDM and Teamcenter PLM software to control designs and documentation.• SolidWorks FEA for analysis and optimization of parts and systems.• GD&T principles to create 2D drawings for parts and castings.• Verified system performance and handling with on and off-road testing and used results to revise designs.• Vehicle frame redesign to reduce mass by 31% and only losing 3% of torsional stiffness, while reducing part count and overall cost.

Florence, Kentucky

• Developed production processes for new stabilizer bar programs for several automotive companies in the prototype shop.• Specialized in PV bonding rubber bushings onto stab bars.• Managed the stabilizer bar system durability lab including 2 hydraulic test benches, and tensile tester.• Led the launch of several new star bar programs from the prototype stage to mass production.• Industrialized automated machines to assemble sway bars with bushings, clamps and end links.• Supported mass production through issues with quality, efficiency, and excess fallout.• Redesigned the coil springs for the 2015 Jeep Cherokee.

- Worked in both the production facility in Florence, KY, and the engineering center in Auburn Hills, MI- Redesigned the coil springs for the 2015 Jeep Cherokee- Tracked dimensional changes in coil springs through the build process to better understand how each process effected the overall dimensions.- Learned both the manufacturing processes involved in making OEM automotive suspension parts, as well as the font end design work, APQP process, and customer communications for automotive suppliers.