Yifan Wang Email & Phone Number

San Mateo, Ca, Us

San Mateo, California, United States

• Lead Global Hardware R&D: Oversee end-to-end design, engineering, prototyping, and project management, delivering "0-1" product development cycles in ~2 months. Implement advanced AI tools to boost productivity.• Manage International Manufacturing Operations: Collaborate with top-tier suppliers to enhance manufacturing quality, reducing defect rates in mechanical components from 20% to <3%, and cutting R&D and manufacturing costs by 70%.• Optimize Configuration & Inventory Systems: Streamlined product development and fabrication processes by consolidating software tools and implementing industry-standard PD & PM systems.• Develop Internal QC Protocols: Established protocols to improve post-NPD maintenance and development efficiency.• Ensure Product Compliance: Oversee EMC, wireless, and safety testing for global certifications, including UL, CE, and IP ratings.

San Mateo, California, United States

• Established and capacitated the global hardware R&D team - fulfills design, engineering, prototyping, and project management functionalities. • 7X-ed product line with "0-1" developments over 11 months - full stack development from internal structures to exterior aesthetics for both consumer and enterprise facing products. • Developed and improved configuration & inventory management systems for company’s holistic product development-fabrication process.• Introduced and shaped company’s global procurement channels which achieved 70% average R&D cost reductions - formulated direct connection with Tier-1 suppliers and vendors.• Directed and streamlined the creation of new company website within 60 days - boosting online traffic by over 900%.• Led product certification procedures with UL on EMC/wireless & Safety testing for products' global qualifications and distributions.

Benton Harbor, Michigan, United States

• Developed advanced marketing/design strategies for next-generation surface cooking appliances and technologies.• Led Global Microwave Hood/Oven design strategies and collaboration with oversea manufacturer and facilities.• Executed brands-specific designs for Whirlpool's largest Freestanding Range project in North America for Whirlpool, Maytag & KitchenAid brands.

Benton Harbor, Michigan

• Pioneered KitchenAid Cordless’ battery and portfolio strategy - delivered the 1st cordless product suites in the world at $8.3M annual sales. Products featured on Time Magazine.• Revitalized KitchenAid’s Food Processor portfolio with new design language and flagship product launches, creating $5M and $5.5M annual sales respectively.• Piloted the KitchenAid Smart Display by collaborating with Google from concept to prototype, winning WIRED magazine’s “Best of CES 2019” award.• Oversee and develop relationships with oversea OEM suppliers and tech providers.

Benton Harbor, Michigan

• Designed Whirlpool’s next-gen Freestanding Range of 325 SKUs for the EMEA market, representing the largest project in company history with $25M CapEx.• Strategized and directed Special Projects team with US, EMEA & Asia operations on global consumer & market research. Created tangible assets in sketch, CAD/rendering, low/hi fidelity models using advanced design techniques, e.g. parametric designs, metallurgical rapid prototyping, etc. Lowered cooktop prototyping cost by 95% for in-house operations.• Led strategic R&D on global cooking behaviors of younger generations and executed corresponding designs to expand the consumer base. Designed the initial concept of “kitchen hub” that successfully landed the IoT collaborations with Amazon.

Benton Harbor, Michigan

• Designed Whirlpool’s quad-door refrigerator project of 25 SKUs, representing the Refrigeration category’s largest project in company history with $24M CapEx.• Created and translated global parts catalogue for intercontinental communication between US operation and new China joint venture.• Spearheaded advanced designs of next-gen refrigeration by utilizing extra-thin door technology and configurable interior modularization.

Notre Dame

• Researched design and human behaviors by using quantitative and qualitative research methods like user interview, data collection, processing and visualization and digital rapid prototyping such as Axure.• Taught industrial design courses of 10 to 30 students at graduate and undergraduate levels ("Design Drawing", Spring 2014 - Spring 2015, "Sketch to Solids", Fall 2012, "Visual Dialogue", Spring 2013 & Fall 2013).• Instructed model shop classes for ND industrial design program from 2012 to 2015.

Remote

• Developed concepts and design validation through market research and digital concept generation of world’s first Air-Motion-Tweeter headphone.• Implemented unique CFM selections that helped position the product in the ultra-luxury stereo market priced at $3,300.

West Lafayette, Indiana

• Jointly assisted Departments of Anthropology, Material Science Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering on research project on “Electronic waste, human behaviors, and Recycling”.• Constructed the graduation thesis utilizing an industrial design solution to reduce e-wastes and expand personal computer’s computational performances. Design's 3D prototype was sponsored and kept for demonstration by the Purdue Space Engineering Program.

Wuhu, China

• Participated in new models' primary ideation, sketches and full-scale modeling process.• Organizer the introduction of international design education and work ethics to the team design.

Master Of Fine Arts (M.F.A.), Design

• Full-tuition scholarship and graduate stipend recipient, 2012-2015. • Hasbro - Global Intellectual Property Inventor, Nov 2013 - Nov.

Bachelor Of Arts (B.A.), Industrial Design

Activities and Societies: IDSA, Purdue Chapter; Purdue BoilerOut Volunteer Program• Margo Katherine Wilke Undergrad Research Scholarship.