Nicholas Walters Email & Phone Number

Farmington, Mi, Us

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States

Engineering manager for the Underbody/Chassis Team in the Physical Architecture and Concepts organization. Primarily working on vehicle programs based on the STLA Large Platform. Areas of design responsibility include Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Powertrain/Driveline (mechanical and electrified) and Electrical Systems. Design responsibility includes component, system and vehicle level functional objectives.

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States

Advanced design and development of Chassis and Underbody systems and components to meeting component, system and vehicle functional objectives for Body on Frame vehicles including Jeep Gladiator, Ram 2500-5500, Ram 1500 TRX and Wagnoneer/Grand Wagoneer. Areas of responsibilities include Suspension, Steering, Brakes, Fuel Systems, Exhaust and Driveline.

Auburn Hills, Michigan, United States

Designed, developed and released Ram 2500 and 3500 rear air suspension systems including Air springs, shocks, air compressor, air reservoir, air lines and leaf springs (3500 only). Sourced components for mule builds and series production. Developed DFMEA's and DVP's, oversaw component and system testing. Supported mule builds in the prototype factory and process verification builds on-site at the final assembly plant in Saltillo, Mexico.Additional projects included Ram 2500-5500 rear suspension design and release support, Jeep Compass rear suspension design and release responsibility including on-site build support in Pernambuco, Brazil.

Developed front and rear knuckle design from concept to production for Fisker AutomotiveMet regularly with customer to ensure design requirements were metCommunicated design with manufacturing team to ensure DFM requirements were metReported timing and design progress to program managerSupported current production design maintenance for ZF Tuscaloosa assembly plantCreated engineering change requests using change management systemDocumented and followed through with test requests to support assembly developmentVisited suppliers to support APQP process and supplier development activities

GMI700 front corner assembly (knuckle, hub and brake system)200+ vehicle sets through 4 stages of engineering release level buildsDeveloped build plan, work instructions, control plans, quality check sheets and open issues list with build teamCreated a standardized base plan to reduce variability and achieve a successful buildEmpowered the team by keeping everyone involved through the entire processProgrammed electric nut-runners for assembly sequence and joint rundown profilesSupported production process and assembly line development through lessons learned in prototype buildFacilitated hands-on product development through staged builds with manufacturing and design teams

D385 axle system prototype build including front center, front corner, front strut and rear axle assemblies Approximately 100 vehicle sets built and delivered to customer specification based on a negotiated rate and flow0 quality issues at customer found to be ZF assembly related

Created ZF Prototype Build Process documentation per TS-16949.Coordinated planning, assembly, and OE customer support for Ford D219/D258 axle system prototype builds.Supported root-cause analysis thru on-site customer support for chassis NVH issues.European travel to support customer on-site for component prototypes.

Participated in root-cause analysis through scrap research.Identified best practices by observing most efficient operators and production lines.