Des Moines, Iowa, United States
Curious and hardworking engineer with a passion for understanding and improving systems. Interested in manufacturing, especially industries that utilize precision/advanced technologies, where I can use my unique skill set to deliver results.
Lead installation and commissioning of Biochar Production Unit (BPU): Planification of BPU transportation including logistics of crane company, set-up of site utilities (propane, electrical, water, internet, lighting), devised new orientation of unit operations during construction of BPU due to tight spatial constraints. Maintenance of components through reliability-centered principles: consideration of assets function(s), what types of failure modes can occur and what are the root causes, will failure modes yield further failures or create safety hazards, what are the predictors/signals of failure, what is the lifecycle curve of components (e.g. bathtub curve), if maintenance is insufficient should the item be redesigned or replaced. Prioritize and schedule cross-functional teams’ activities across sites and projects: interpret desires of executives, consider skills and specialties of craftspeople, estimate task length in conjunction with tool and equipment availability, plan an "if, then, else" style decision tree (Gantt), communicate direction across language barrier (English-Spanish). Diagnose and resolve mechanical and electrical issues: VFDs motors, auger systems, electrical wiring diagrams, afterburner system, thermocouples and material build-up, hydraulic transmission. Execution of Factory Acceptance Testing: report on equipment functionality to deliver BPU to customer, ensuring reasonable noise level (TWA), thermography of parts, acceptable amp consumption, production rate, propane consumption, automation Author operator knowledge assessments for BPU operation: devised and recorded lessons to teach future operators correct procedure for start-up, normal operation, and cooldown of equipment. Highlighted dangers to ensure safe operation. Administered tests to prove knowledge. Maintain stakeholder relationships (landlords, clients, investors).
Primarily concerned with product quality in the manufacturing of industrial liners and tapes for a wide range of end users. Respond to customer complaints with root cause analysis and corrective action to internal processes; and/or give productive feedback to vendors. Introduce new products to solve existing customer issues and expand product market. Run projects to improve product quality, performance, and yield. Manage inventory by determining if product is saleable, salvageable by reprocessing, fit enough for specific value stream requirements, or scrap.
Manufacturing engineer for high end optical displays and films used in electronic devices and automotive windows. Performed Measurement Systems Analysis (Gage R&R Study) across three product families on over a dozen product specification simultaneously to receive International Automotive Task Fore approval so that our products would reach more markets. Used unique software package developed by 3M scientists to interpret optical maps to troubleshoot quality issues at start-up. Developed standard work and decision tree to correct reoccurring optical issue. Managed and tracked metrics having to do with changeovers, start-ups and overall performance with PowerBI software. Improved tool's usability and accuracy for future use. Used 5S strategies and organizational principles to streamline cleaning of key equipment.
Secured contract with Feed Energy Company by creating lab-scale filtration system that proved viable use-case for biochar as a filtration medium. Investigated potential value-added process by testing effect of dry ice on biochar. Establishment of OSHA and DOT standard by editing SOP regarding biochar handling. Protected company product by writing patent for equipment. Ensured continued production by performing maintenance/repair on mechanical systems. Expanded available markets by preparing martial, scheduling, and attending US Biochar Initiative conference 2019.
Reinstituted club with the help of dedicated board to learn lab procedures for the recycle cafeteria vegetable oil into Biodiesel: utilized by the local Iowa State University "Cyride" bussing system. Successfully recruited and trained new members to replicate the procedures and brought them into leadership positions.