Steve Rapp, PhD

Snr Scientist, Decision Analysis Process Lead at the US Army - CCDC Ground Vehicle Systems Center Analytics Directorate

Newport, Michigan, United States

About

Steve is a retired USMC armor officer. He is a research scientist at the US Army's Combat Capabilities Development Command - Ground Vehicle Systems Center. He is also a professor in Industrial Engineering at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. Professional Experience: - Combined industrial and military background (30 years) - Credentialed Project and Program Manager - Extensive Product, Project and Program Management experience in high tech, engineering programs - Exceptional Account, Bid and Sales Management track record - Unique engineering, finance and management schooling - Significant Fortune 500 Boardroom experience - 2009 LSS Black Belt Qualification Goals: - Continue executive track career - Upgrade education with an executive track Industrial Engineering PhD Specialties: Negotiation, facilitation, project management, program management, business development, technical and business leadership

Experience

  • Senior Scientist, Decision Analysis Process Leader at US Army - CCDC Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) Analytics Directorate
    Nov 2017 - Present · 8 yrs 8 mos

    I'm currently the trade study leader for the product development of the Optionally Manned Tank and other classified programs. I also act as the command's SME for product development decision analysis.

  • Wayne State University (19 yrs 6 mos)
    • Director of the MS in Systems Engineering Program
      Aug 2024 - Present · 1 yr 11 mos

      Planned, budgeted, developed, and successfully marketed this new web-based program. I am currently directing the program and have a lead teaching role as an Assistant Professor (Teaching) in the Industrial & Systems Engineering Department in the College of Engineering. I teach Systems Engineering, Project and Program Management, Decision Analysis, and Design for Six Sigma to general students, members of the Ford EMMP program, and the PhD Global Executive program.

    • Adjunct Professor
      Jun 2017 - Aug 2024 · 7 yrs 3 mos

      I am responsible for teaching Decision & Risk Analysis and Lean Six Sigma to graduate students and doctoral candidates in the College of Engineering. Additionally, I conduct research in design optimization, product development and manufacturing processes.

    • PhD Candidate and SMART Scholar
      Apr 2015 - Jun 2017 · 2 yrs 3 mos

      Received an ASEE SMART Scholarship through the Federal STEM Program to support the Army's TARDEC Command. TARDEC is supporting my dissertation research which is to create a mathematical system design framework. The framework will utilize Set-Based Design which came from Toyota's Production System to increase resilience in the system design process for commercial and defense programs. We will be utilizing data sets from both TARDEC and the Navy's NAVSEA Command.

  • General Dynamics Land Systems (9 yrs 8 mos)
    • Engineering Project Manager
      Mar 2013 - Jun 2014 · 1 yr 4 mos

      Managed the U. S. Marine Corps Amphibious Combat Vehicle (ACV) engineering program. Responsibilities include managing the current engineering project to develop an optimized whole system design that meets extremely tight cost and performance criteria. Also responsible for leading the team's bid for the upcoming Engineering & Manufacturing Design (EMD) contract.

    • Product Manager, Abrams Modernization, Abrams International and Specialty Wheeled Vehicles
      Feb 2009 - Mar 2013 · 4 yrs 2 mos

      The Product Manager for all engineering project management of new Abrams Main Battle Tanks both domestic and international. Responsibilities include managing 9 Project Managers and their associated 300 engineering and business personnel with subcontractors. International responsibilities include delivery to seven allied countries. Total program responsibility exceeds $1.5B through 2018. Additional similar responsibilities for the Pandur and MRAP specialty wheeled vehicle programs.

    • Decision and Risk Analysis Group Manager
      Nov 2004 - Jan 2009 · 4 yrs 3 mos

      Team Leader of 20+ Managers that provide Program Risk Management, Structured Decision Project Management and Lead Systems Engineers to GDLS's core programs: Abrams, Strkyer, EFV, JLTV and FCS.

  • Major, Retired Reserve at USMC
    May 1982 - May 2008 · 26 yrs 1 mo

    Served 26 years of active and reserve duty as an armor, amphibian assault, operations analysis or space operations officer. Supported and/or participated in the Beirut Crisis, Grenada Conflict, Operations Desert Shield/Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

  • Principal Enterprise Architect at Enterprise Integration Inc
    2003 - 2004 · 1 yr

    Developed the enterprise architecture for the Single Army Financial Enterprise. This included: governance, operational and organizational connectivities and the systems connections required to an ERP for implementation.