Michael Thelen Email & Phone Number

Redding, California, United States

Redding, California, United States

United States

Plymouth, Michigan, United States

- Led efforts to repackage existing JTEKT column and intermediate electronic power steering systems into new applications in the off-road, automotive, autonomous, and electric markets.- Collaborated with CAD team to design virtual environments based on existing vehicles to develop designs and 3D physical models to test fit in vehicles.- Regularly communicated with customers to discuss ongoing design changes, requirements, and project status/deadlines.- Reviewed, edited, and signed off on 2D and 3D drawings/models before sending to customers or suppliers.- Developed training material to calculate steering rack bending and axial rack forces based on customer spec.

Plymouth, Mi

- Led Prototype Engineering Team efforts in supporting new product development through two prototype phases, duties included design review with development team, prototype build and traceability, root cause investigation.- Worked with Sys. Dev. team during design phase to create prototype build process and provide design feedback.- Led prototype procurement effort by working with Sys. Dev., Electrical Engineering, and suppliers to ensure parts were made correctly and with proper documentation – held technical reviews to improve communication.- Reviewed technical drawings and prototype inspection data to ensure incoming quality and approve order shipments.- Designed (CATIA) and/or conceptualized tooling/fixtures with suppliers necessary to complete prototype builds.- Supported Advanced Quality Gate process – presented project status and improvements to company leadership.- Supported in defining procedures for component and system level validation testing and DVP&R tracking- Modified/machined prototype parts for validation studies in order to reduce project lead time and cost.- Wrote (LabView) and ran performance tests on prototype parts before delivering to test lab.- Managed prototype timeline by interfacing closely with coordinators to track RFQs and POs timing.- Worked with suppliers to ensure prototype parts were completed on time and with quality to meet timeline.

Greater Detroit Area

- Manage four test phases for 15 variants of power transfer units (PTUs) for three Ford products- Create and track prototype part requests, DVPRs, TOs, materials lab requests, lab teardown requests in PLM- Collaborate with customer, product and test engineers to create appropriate validation plan and acceptance criteria to validate components based on previous benchmarked programs and vehicle duty cycles- Manage the execution of the validation plan, working with test engineering to overcome timing obstacles, premature failures and/or test equipment issues- Partner with program management and prototype engineering to ensure customer timing was met by completing customer and internal test builds according to plan- Report test results, material lab evaluations and teardown evaluations back to the product engineering team and assist in any necessary countermeasures needed to improve the product

E Lansing, Mi

Contributed to the design (NX) and machining of experimental equipment for Centrifugal Pendulum Vibration Absorbers (CPVAs)Conducted experiments & provided data to be applied to the use of pendulum absorbers in production vehicles.

East Lansing, Mi

Built, repaired and/or refurbished bicycles and associated subassemblies, from novice to professional quality level bicyclesAssisted customers & sold product while proficiently maintaining company funds

Ttc - Saline, Michigan

- Conducted market research on the automotive industry to create benchmarking documents, and present findings to executives and Chief Engineers- Optimized sales tracking document to standardize how new vehicles are segmented - Provided support to team members with research and benchmarking of competitor's technology

Tmmk - Georgetown, Kentucky

- Completed three major projects, amongst 20+ minor projects, involving upgrading sheet metal stamping presses- Designed (AutoCad), fabricated, welded and/or machined 25+ components, eight of which were documented and benchmarked to be used on future projects

Tmmk - Georgetown, Kentucky

- Managed a team of six engineers on 13+ projects, evaluating current line conditions to develop countermeasures for persisting problems (safety issues, machine failures, hardware/software upgrades)- Supervised and assisted during installation of new OSHA compliant safety systems- Designed (AutoCAD) and fabricated machine parts to be used on stamping presses throughout the facility

Bachelor'S Degree, Mechanical Engineering

Activities and Societies: Michigan State Formula Team, Michigan State Cycling Club, Michigan State BMX Club

Education record

Activities and Societies: Varsity Soccer, Varsity Track, Varsity Tennis, BPA, Model UN