Lead a team of product/design engineers to launch complex door panels, floor consolesManage launch budget, forecast future spending including part samples and labor hoursCollaborate with customer design office to assess A-surface feasibilityWork with team to kick off 100+ tools, tracking progress and design sign-offsConfirm successful CAE, GD&T, tool feasibility, and mold flow reportsCreate and monitor glide paths for tool kick off, part builds, and product validationMake material decisions based on robustness, cost, appearance, and compatibility Develop and review DFMEA, DVP&R, and tolerance stack studiesTrack design changes and support quote activityLead scrum meetings to drive productivityMaintain team alignment with members in three US locations plus India, Mexico, ChinaFocus on design for manufacturing and design for cost

Led and managed a 10-member team made up of engineers, designers, and co-opsDeveloped and tracked R&D projects to drive innovationGenerated cost save ideas and supported team to implementLed design reviews to support injection mold tool kick offDeveloped design rules for sun visorsQuoted new business for visors, cargo covers, and cut and sew componentsCreated presentations for customer tech reviews to pursue new business opportunities

-Developed design rules for door trim panels-Developed design rules for leather wrapped door trim components-Controlled list of preferred materials for door trim components-Supported new program launches and ensure consistency among them-Documented lessons learned and prevent recurrence of previous issues-Assessed product cost and brainstorm cost saving ideas

- Understood process and design of manually wrapped components in Mexico- Used actual time studies to improve the accuracy of quote template for future business- Worked with costing group to develop MBBP cost model - Developed PKR (Product Knowledge Requirements) for Cut, Sew, Wrap products o Decision tree for process and BoM selection o CMPs – Core Manufacturing Process descriptions o Design Guidelines and Checksheets- Attended design reviews and support Phase 2-5 Launch activities- Worked with AMEs, PEs, Pattern Development, and Prototype Build Team- Evaluated alternative process methods – adhesives, spray masks, surface treatments- Collected data for seam alignment capability- Collaborated with Seating and Europe Interiors for global alignment

- Developed manufacturing plan, process flow, PFMEA, and line layout for Chrysler KL floor console armrest and door bolster - Collaborated with Chrysler Engineers on Six Sigma project for seam alignment- Directed machine shops to design and build tooling and capital equipment- Managed manufacturing budget with focus on reducing equipment and labor costs- Created manufacturing quotes for all cut, sew and wrapped components in Mexico. Help standardize costs for consistent and accurate quotes- Effectively used whiteboards, Six Sigma, Kepner-Tregoe, BEP, TPACT, CATIA, and Microsoft Excel, Visio, and Project- Spoke Spanish to more effectively communicate with JCI manufacturing sites in Mexico- Developed guidelines and design checksheet for hand wrapped components- Worked with team members from Papa, Hungary to share wrapping best practices- Launched GMX351 wrapped components – rear seat armrest and bolster- Assisted with transition of wrapped component programs from JCI-Puebla to Ramos 2- Helped launch new manufacturing plants in Ramos, Mexico and Queretaro, Mexico

- Worked with GM and Ford to design door panels for new model vehicles - Launched Ford D471, U387, and U388 door panels- Balanced constraints for styling, durability, functionality, and manufacturability- Understood validation failures and component fit issues to develop low cost solutions- Communicated with designers to implement engineering design changes- Worked with development team to meet milestone dates and customer order requirements

- Managed several products already in production- Responded to warranty claims and provided solutions to fix failures in the field- Made changes to products or components to improve quality of fit or durability- Determined alternatives to reduce expenses and create lower cost products