Experienced Engineering Manager with a demonstrated history of leading multi-discipline engineering teams during the development and production phases of numerous aviation and aerospace electronic products. Skilled in systems engineering, agile development, six sigma, continuous improvement, project management, and product development. Currently supporting an organizational wide initiative to transform our New Product Development processes across all Woodward business groups.
Woodward, Inc.
View- Website:
- woodward.com
- Employees:
- 5805
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Director Of EngineeringWoodward, Inc.Round Lake, Il, Us -
Engineering Manager, System EngineeringWoodward, Inc. Sep 2023 - PresentFort Collins, Co, UsTo be Added -
Master Black Belt, New Product Introduction, At WoodwardWoodward, Inc. Oct 2021 - Sep 2023Fort Collins, Co, UsEmpowered to lead organizational transformation to improve the performance of New Product Introductions (NPI) across all of Woodward.Responsibilities include:Leading the digital transformation and modernization of our New Product Introductions, initially by spearheading the definition and rollout of a customized Portfolio and Project Management Tool that is intended to improve the efficiency of our project execution by over 20%. -
Black Belt, New Product Introduction, Aerospace SystemsWoodward, Inc. Sep 2019 - Oct 2021Fort Collins, Co, UsA precursor to my current role, but the organizational transformation was focused on the NPI activities within the Aircraft Controls market space.Responsibilities include:The identification, oversight, and execution of continuous improvement projects that focus on NPI processes with the dedicated goal of improving organizational performance with regards to safety, product quality, on-time delivery, project cost, and product cost.Influence key leadership and functional experts during the determination of strategic decisions, evaluating long-term consequences, and determining effective resource utilization.The development of support tools including executive dashboards and leading indicators to monitor continuous improvement decisions.Coaching and mentoring Woodward’s Aircraft Controls members to improve their problem-solving abilities.Previous examples include improvements in the following areas: requirements development and management, risk assessment and management, project change management, product cost management, project execution (specifically the utilization of agile principles), technical oversight, and general standardization of product development activities across Woodward's business units. -
Engineering Manager, Aerospace ElectronicsWoodward, Inc. Jan 2011 - Sep 2019Fort Collins, Co, UsSupervise and mentor the day-to-day activities of Aerospace Electronics engineering department members Responsible for creating, maintaining, and improving design standards & processes that result in high quality and compliant products. Examples include: obsolescence managements, component selection, development life cycle (SW, HW, & FPGA), requirement standards, analysis techniques, etcDevelop and implement continuous improvement initiatives within the group to improve product development velocity and cost efficiency. Lead root cause determination and corrective action of current or NPI quality issues and drive lessons learned into future designs. These RCCA events include both technical and process failures.Appropriately staff the group to meet business demands and objectivesDevelop a budget to support profit planning activities and manage within the approved budget constraints to support achievement of the company's profitability objectivesUse best practice methods (risk analysis, Design Margin Analysis, Component Derating, Design for Six Sigma (DFSS), Lean, dimensional analysis, formal problem solving, DOE, etc.) to anticipate, identify, and resolves project risksDetermine new proven technologies and concepts for current design practices in an effort to provide design solutions that are significantly more competitive -
Staff Electronics EngineerWoodward, Inc. Jul 2006 - Jan 2011Fort Collins, Co, UsDevelop engineering requirements, specifications, and test plans to meet end user system specificationsDesign/Build/Test integral and BLDC motion controllers for high reliably aerospace projectsDesign both analog and microprocessor based motion control circuitsTroubleshoot existing electronic designs for failure analysis and product improvementsUnderstand and apply relevant IPC, DO-160, and MIL-STD-704 requirements in design and validation processesUtilize various project tools including: Design-to-Cost, Design-for-Reliability, Design-for-ProducabilityPerform various design analysis including: classical SPICE, EMI, induced lightning effects, power draw,tolerance stack-up, regenerative energy analysis, FMEA, MTBF calculationsMember of cross disciplinary teams to coordinate the design and release of new products -
Sr Electronics EngineerMerkle Korff Industries Feb 2004 - Jul 2006Supervise and manage the day to day activities of junior Electrical EngineersAdvise management of recommended design changes and required regulatory approvalsOversee the design, testing, and implementation of ROHS / Lead-Free products and processesDevelop testing and validation procedures for new components and sub-assembliesEngineering work included designing both analog and microprocessor based control circuits for DC & BLDC motors and developing closed loop PID controls within software.
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Electronics EngineerMerkle Korff Industries Jan 2002 - Feb 2004
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Electronics EngineerSaia-Burgess Electronics Dec 1998 - Jan 2002Liaison with sales, resident engineers, and/or customers to establish electronic and electromechanical requirements (~ 25% travel to existing/potential customers)Mechanical and electrical added value design for motors and gearboxesDesign/Build/Test of custom motion control PCBs & software control algorithmsSupport to the Saia-Burgess USA QA Department for the analysis of returned gear-motor products
Steve Ness Education Details
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University Of Wisconsin-PlattevilleElectrical And Electronics Engineering
Frequently Asked Questions about Steve Ness
What company does Steve Ness work for?
Steve Ness works for Woodward, Inc.
What is Steve Ness's role at the current company?
Steve Ness's current role is Director of Engineering.
What schools did Steve Ness attend?
Steve Ness attended University Of Wisconsin-Platteville.
Who are Steve Ness's colleagues?
Steve Ness's colleagues are Mariusz Zapała, Daniel Lehmann, Tim Akre, Neng Vue, Lidia Bilinska Kozub, Joanne Gibson, Jakub Marcak.
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