Steven Nerat Email & Phone Number

Farmington, Mi, Us

Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States

Southfield, Michigan, United States

DST Advisory Group offers R&D Tax Credit advisory services to companies claiming Research Tax Credits (RTCs) in the United States. DST helps our clients structure a technically credible claim, while maximizing their credit entitlement. DST has nationwide experience with various IRS offices, allowing for quick integration of reporting requirements and best practices as part of our advisory services. Our cross-functional team includes Engineers, Scientists, CPAs, and Legal professionals.Conduct comprehensive financial analysis to identify qualified research activities and expenses that align with research tax credit eligibility. The final deliverable produced for clients serves as a tangible demonstration of the technical nexus between the qualified research activities and qualified research expenses, providing strong support for the research tax credit claim.

Farmington, Michigan, United States

Provide comprehensive support throughout the entire lifecycle of product development or proof of concept projects, with a specific focus on automotive technologies such as smart surfaces, lighting systems, and wireless charging. Contribute expertise and assistance across various project phases, including planning, design, implementation, testing, and deployment.Employ effective project management methodologies to monitor and assess project performance. Utilize project management tools and practices to identify potential issues, take timely action, and drive resolutions to ensure adherence to project timelines, deliverables, and quality standards.Collaborate closely with the Director of Business Development to support the sale of new technologies to OEMs. Was an active participant in product and prototype demonstrations, showcasing the capabilities and advantages of technologies to potential clients. Contribute to the development of compelling value propositions and assist in effectively communicating the benefits of the technologies to drive successful sales outcomes.

Farmington Hills, Michigan, United States

Manage a substantial portfolio of 40 new intellectual property (IP) cases annually, encompassing diverse tasks such as conducting Freedom to Operate (FTO) requests, landscape analyses, infringement investigations, and patent application prosecution. Effectively communicate analytical findings and potential business risks to senior management, as well as design teams located in the US, Europe, and China.Draft patent applications arising from research and development (R&D) efforts, new product developments, and IP initiatives across various fields, including ADAS, Lidar, image processing, surround view monitoring, smart surfaces, lighting systems, wireless charging, manufacturing processes, and mechanical engineering. Ensure the alignment of patent applications with business objectives and legal requirements.Take responsibility for the development of departmental processes and best practices related to IP management. Establish efficient workflows, standardized procedures, and effective collaboration mechanisms to optimize the department's performance and enhance overall IP management effectiveness.Conduct thorough evaluations of competitor products and patent portfolios for both national and international patent disputes, as well as infringement investigations. Leverage findings to inform strategic decision-making and support legal actions, if necessary.Collaborate closely with engineering and R&D teams to modify product designs and develop innovative solutions that circumvent competitor IP. Provide guidance and recommendations to ensure compliance with intellectual property laws and regulations while maintaining a competitive advantage.Successfully manage the implementation of new IP management software, overseeing the migration of the department's previous IP database. Ensure a smooth transition and leverage the capabilities of the new software to enhance IP management processes, streamline workflows, and improve data accuracy and accessibility.

Telecommute

Undertook the critical role of drafting patent applications, skillfully illustrating the novel concepts and operations of inventions, as well as highlighting improvements over the existing state of the art. This responsibility involved delving into complex topics and comprehending them thoroughly in order to effectively articulate them within the patent application. The drafted applications encompassed a diverse array of technologies, including digital signal processing (cryptography, multiplexing, and encoding/decoding algorithms) within wireless and satellite communication systems, optics, circuitry for system-on-chip designs, and wireless power transfer systems.

Marysville, Michigan

Directed the full design verification and product validation testing for New Product Introduction (NPI) launch programs across multiple automotive OEMs. Pioneered the development and implementation of innovative process methodologies and laboratory best practices, resulting in a 150% increase in departmental throughput without the need for additional personnel resources. These enhancements significantly improved operational efficiencies and streamlined processes within the lab.Attained achievements aligned with departmental Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), leading to an expansion of responsibilities. Assigned as a mentor, coach, and leader for all newly hired engineers, as well as overseeing a team of eight test engineers on the second shift. These leadership responsibilities were entrusted based on a track record of exceptional performance and a proven ability to drive operational efficiencies and process improvements within the lab.Employed major engineering methodologies, such as Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Design Verification Plan and Report (DVP&R), Geometric Dimensioning & Tolerancing (GD&T), Design of Experiment (DoE), and Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis (DFMEA), to optimize testing processes and ensure the highest standards of quality and efficiency were achieved.Collaborated with engineering teams to conduct root cause analysis for failures and warranty issues reported in the field, effectively replicating and addressing them within the controlled laboratory environment. Oversaw the strategic development of the test lab's 5-year budget plan, meticulously evaluating quotations for capital expenditures, thereby ensuring optimal allocation of resources and efficient operation of the lab.

Master Of Business Administration - Mba

B.S., Physics