Jonathon Bates Email & Phone Number

Kingsport, Tennessee, US

• Leading four concurrent project teams, comprising a total of 40+ members, across engineering, operations, Information Technology (IT), and Environmental Safety and Health (ESH), achieving a 550% program value increase.
• Supervising teams of engineers, analysts, and operational staff, serving as the primary decision-maker and escalation point, ensuring alignment with strategic objectives and successful project delivery
• Directing multiple digital transformation initiatives, including robotics for manufacturing, machine learning for part inspection, and predictive maintenance, utilizing change management principles to ensure seamless.
• Partnering with executive leadership to influence strategic goals and secure investment for transformative projects through narrative development and data-driven advocacy

Bethesda, MD, US

• Managed interdisciplinary teams of up to 15 members plus third party vendor management, delivering clean-sheet robotic work cell solutions that generated over $1.5M in recurring annual savings from an initial $1M.
• Led cost-reduction initiatives for the F-35 Program, exceeding expectations and delivering a 30% reduction in targeted Scrap, Rework, and Repair category equivalent to $1.1M in annual savings
• Spearheaded the Autonomous Robotics for Aircraft Sustainment Program, collaborating with multi-company teams to demonstrate robotic coating feasibility to key Depart of Defense (DoD) stakeholders
• Oversaw a $5M portfolio of automation and process improvement projects within Advanced Development Programs

Bethesda, MD, US

• Delivered four cost-reduction projects, including metrology based tool buyoffs and integrations critical to program success
• Authored manufacturing process standards and work instructions for program-critical rate break-ins
• Represented manufacturing engineering in technical reviews and cross-departmental collaborations

Houston, TX, US

• Managed software product support and quality assurance, ensuring smooth debugging, testing, and deployment processes

• Developed, implemented, and presented a streamlined method for test data to reach the product development team
• Audited and analyzed transmission performance testing equipment to recommend calibration schedule updates

Vance, Alabama, US

• Utilized SolidWorks (3D modeling) software to design an electrically operated lifting tool, performing structural analysis to ensure rigidity under load and to minimize tool weight, performed as critical backup process.
• Learned machining and welding skills on the job to fabricate a working prototype of my design
• Lifting tool successfully eliminated a single failure point during the vehicle assembly process
• Created 2D orthographic drawings utilize 3D modeling software for final tool design and fabrication
• Lead root cause analysis studies to reduce quality defect escapes during radio unit assembly process, successfully implemented reforms in partnership with supplier

Vance, Alabama, US

• Managed six-figure seven-day long maintenance shutdown, coordinating teams of contractors and construction project timelines
• Implemented and documented a new distribution process for the plant maintenance schedule which reduced the time to compile, distribute, and review reports by ~25%
• Developed and implemented stud welder home location check which reduced time required to confirm end of arm tooling tolerances on welding robots

Vance, Alabama, US

• Discovered source of dash panel delamination quality issue within supplier manufacturing process, allowing Mercedes-Benz to bill the supplier for production downtime capturing over $500k
• Led suppliers repair team to correct the dash panel delamination defect on over 300 vehicles
• Identified root cause of Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH) issue within center console of W166 chassis vehicles; drove corrective action to remediate