Kristy Chen Email & Phone Number

Murfreesbroro, TN

• Lead the development team as a Design Engineer; create development schedule and monitor throughout the program.
• Main contact to customers; R&D to advise/suggest appropriate materials and features to automakers overseas. Toyota and Nissan.
• Coordinate the entire development process, including material sourcing, manufacturing setup, testing, and certification compliance.
• Design Engineer for automotive interior: door trim, headliner, pillars, luggage room and more.
• Specialized in Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives to optimize project efficiency. Worked with Cross Functional Team to develop strategies, research product history, and properly documented for avoid.

Nashville, TN

• Designed 30+ cellphone chargers, protective cases, tablet stands and related products with injection plastic, elastomer and metal.
• Collaborate with Industrial Designers to produce conforming engineered designs that are feasible for manufacturing within target cost.
• Create 3D models and 2D drawings with specifications of products for manufacturing overseas.
• Create design guidelines to help new designers and factories meet company standards and manufacturing requirements.
• Evaluate trial samples throughout pre-production for design intent.
• Lead factories in conception and implementation of improvements while maintaining key product functions.

Nashville, TN

• Create program schedules from project kick off to production.
• Lead team members in meeting schedules and project commitments.
• Cost estimation of project to establish feasibility prior to development.
• Project future manufacturing and end user concerns.
• Review and send out project specifications to various factories for quotation.
• Vetting of manufacturing facility based on capabilities, timing, and bid.

Foshan, Guangdong, China

• Relocated to establish remote office in China for supplier management.
• Managed interviews and training of local engineers to expand the department.
• Accomplished reduction in timing from initial design of components to off-tool submission by 50%.
• Supported US engineers by enhancing cost effectiveness and timing of design.
• Assisted US Purchasing to analyze cost breakdown, and negotiate reasonable price with suppliers.
• Presented defective claims and proposed possible improvements to suppliers as QC engineer.

Knoxville, TN

• Designed car audio systems for various automakers including Toyota, Nissan, Honda and Subaru.
• Coordinated entire development program from design kick-off through mass production stage.
• Engineering collaboration and technical coordination among US office, Panasonic Japan headquarter, Mexico manufacturing plant and key suppliers in Asia.
• Achieved customer recognition in shorting project development time by 30%.
• Provided design feedback to suppliers to enhance product performance and cost reduction to components.
• Set up and presentation of demonstration vehicles to propose new products to automakers.

Bs - Engineering, Industrial Engineering

Certified FE / EIT

Bachelor Of Science (Bs), Mechanical Engineering