Jake Collins

Manufacturing Solutions Analyst @ Armstrong World Industries

St. Petersburg, Florida, United States

About

Manufacturing Solutions Analyst at Armstrong World Industries, where I turn plant-floor problems into deployed AI and data solutions across our manufacturing sites. My work sits at the intersection of two disciplines: applied ML/AI engineering and manufacturing business relationship management. On one side, I build and deploy production systems, predictive ML models that screen products before costly physical testing, Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers that give AI agents secure, natural-language access to our manufacturing data, and full-stack internal tools. On the other, I embed with plant teams and stakeholders to scope the right problems, evaluate vendors, govern ML projects, and bridge the gap between operations and technology. Recently I've focused on operationalizing AI in manufacturing: training and deploying scikit-learn models with explainability (SHAP) and Streamlit front-ends, designing Databricks/MLflow pipelines for the full model lifecycle, and architecting secure, read-only AI data-access layers over SQL Server. I also own a portfolio of Power BI dashboards used daily for shift management and warehouse operations, and I configure enterprise platforms including ServiceNow (Health & Safety) and Augmentir (connected worker). I'm passionate about Industry 4.0 and the practical side of bringing AI into manufacturing — not as a demo, but as monitored systems that hold up on the plant floor.

Experience

  • Manufacturing Solutions Analyst at Armstrong World Industries
    Oct 2024 - Present · 1 yr 10 mos

    AI / Machine Learning - Built and deployed a predictive ML model (Random Forest, Gradient Boosting, Ridge Regression) to forecast manufacturing outcomes, delivered as Streamlit web apps with SHAP explainability and confidence intervals. - Architected and built Model Context Protocol (MCP) servers in Python (FastMCP) that give AI agents secure, read-only natural-language access to our manufacturing data warehouse, including query validation, blacklisting, audit logging, and token-based authentication. - Designed a production ML Ops pipeline on Databricks to move models from proof-of-concept to monitored production. - Evaluated and benchmarked leading AI tools against real manufacturing datasets to guide enterprise tooling decisions. Business Intelligence & Data Engineering - Own the full lifecycle of Power BI dashboards for warehouse management and plant SQDC reporting, DAX, Analysis Services live connections, and scheduled refreshes, delivering new dashboards on a regular cadence. - Built parameterized, production-ready Python pipelines for plant historian (Aveva PI) and SharePoint data extraction. Platforms & Stakeholder Management (BRM) - Configured the ServiceNow Health & Safety module from the ground up across our sites and led full post-upgrade recovery of the environment. - Led vendor proof-of-concept evaluations for predictive maintenance and serve as IT business relationship manager for ML and machine-vision initiatives, coordinating cross-functional teams, governance, and architecture decisions. - Drove Augmentir connected-worker platform adoption and API integration strategy - Built a full-stack PMO automation platform (FastAPI + Anthropic Claude API + Microsoft Graph) that auto-generates project deliverables and provisions SharePoint sites.

  • Memory Developer at Sunday
    Jan 2026 - Present · 7 mos

    Training next-generation home robots to understand and replicate human skills. AI Data Training: Record high-fidelity demonstrations of household tasks to build the "memory" and perception models for generalized robots. Technical Execution: Follow rigorous protocols to ensure data quality, translating complex physical movements into actionable AI training sets. Feedback Integration: Collaborate with the Data Operations team to refine demonstrations based on model performance and reviewer feedback. Quality Assurance: Maintain 100% accuracy and consistency in a high-volume, R&D environment.

  • Jabil (4 yrs 5 mos)
    • IT Process Engineer III
      Jun 2022 - Oct 2024 · 2 yrs 5 mos

      I work with business stakeholders to deliver innovative technical solutions that align with Jabil's values and direction, maximize business value, and leverage industry and internal best practices. I also manage day-to-day operational activities to ensure Jabil's application landscape and technical roadmap are documented, maintained, and communicated across technical, management, and leadership levels.

    • IT Leadership Development Program
      Nov 2021 - Jun 2022 · 8 mos

      I worked within Jabil's Regulated Industries (JRI) segment mainly focused on our Healthcare products. My main duties included the development and deployment of Internet of Thing (IoT) systems within our factories and increasing the use of Augmented Reality on the shop floor.

    • IT Leadership Development Program
      Jun 2021 - Nov 2021 · 6 mos

      For my 6 month operations rotation I was assigned to Jabil's manufacturing site in Florence, KY. I worked directly with the onsite Materials team to improve material flow and storage throughout the production floor. I led the discovery on a vertical storage solution that freed up 400 Sq Ft of storage space in the warehouse as well as a warehouse redesign that provided a 85% increase in pallet locations. I was directly involved in designing the layout of the new Handoff Zone used with our suppliers in which I conducted time studies, and created flow charts/spaghetti diagrams. I also created and maintained PowerBi reports that visualizes SAP data for material location and movements to create an easier work environment for the material handlers

  • Information Systems Project Management Intern at Hyland
    May 2019 - Aug 2019 · 4 mos

    At Hyland I was on the Project Management team in charge of the implementation of the Atlassian Suite Software for 1000+ Hyland Employees. My duties included leading and organizing Daily Stand-ups, Migrating Data, Field Mapping Sessions, and ensuring the team had consistent communication templates.

  • Database Administrator Intern at Maniet Financial Services Network
    May 2018 - Aug 2018 · 4 mos

    At Maniet Financial Services Network I redesigned and updated the company’s current database using Microsoft Access, this included updates to tables, queries, forms, and reports. I created and developed a custom Database for a client’s personal Car Collection and I also entered client and financial data into the database.