Byron E. Thompson

**** ******* ****

Kingsport, TN 37663

423-***-**** Home 423-***-**** Mobile acrkyi@r.postjobfree.com

Work Experience

February 2013 – August 2015 – Manufacturing Engineer, Silgan PCS, Kingsport, TN

As a Manufacturing Engineer, I was responsible for secondary equipment in a compression and injection molding facility that produced millions of pieces per day. The equipment included high speed vision systems used as quality tools, PLC’s for control, conveyors, motors, and various sensors. My daily responsibilities included verifying functionality of all the equipment and making adjustments if necessary. Primarily, however, my tasks were centered on continuous improvements. I performed the appropriate mechanical or electronic controls designs, selected the proper sensors, programmed the PLC and the HMI (Human-Machine Interface) and then wrote the operating procedures and trained personnel. I was able to complete several projects that led to enhanced quality control, definition of scrap, increased production, and simplification of processes for operators. I was also the local IT support person assisting corporate IT department with networking.

February 2010 – November 2012 – Project Engineer, V&N Advanced Automation Systems, Rockledge, FL

As a Project Engineer, I was responsible for projects from beginning to end. I first quoted a system to determine the final sales price, then once and order was received, I designed the mechanics of the system while also managing the project. I managed progress and provided guidance to the electrical and software engineers on the project, interacted with outside vendors and machine shops to provide equipment and designed parts, and also led the fabrication, assembly, and installation phases of the project. I also authored users’ manuals to remind customers of the proper operation and maintenance of a system after I had provided training. Projects ranged in value from $20K to $2.5M with durations of a few weeks to over one year incorporating electron beam, sputtering, and leak detection technologies. I used Solidworks for all design work. I also performed PLC programming and modification on SLC, ControlLogix, and DeviceNet platforms.

February 2008 – January 2010 – Account Manager, Oerlikon Leybold Vacuum, Export, PA

Direct technical sales of vacuum pumps and related equipment for a variety of industries. Territory included 6 southeastern states with customers ranging from high technology to the very basic users of vacuum equipment. Was responsible for interpreting customer needs, determining the correct product for the particular application, convincing the customer that my product is the one they need, negotiating pricing, and tracking delivery. Prepared monthly reports of present sales history, sales forecasting, and special projects. Presented the status of my territory at quarterly business review meetings.

April 1999 – February 2008 VP Engineering, Automated Vacuum Systems, Sarasota, FL

Responsible for cradle to grave engineering of high vacuum metal deposition systems. The systems incorporated thermal evaporation and sputtering deposition in either batch, roll to roll, or in line configurations. From receipt of customer requirements, I was responsible for mechanical, electrical, and controls design and fabrication. Mechanical designs were performed as solids models with AutoCAD 2007 and then reduced to 2D drawings for construction in the machine shop and fabrication shop. Electrical schematics were also prepared with AutoCAD. I programmed the control systems using Allen Bradley RSLogix5 or RSLogix500 software for the PLC and incorporated RSView, RSView Machine Edition, or PanelBuilder software to provide a user-friendly interface with touch screen hardware. During fabrication of the end product, I was responsible for timely delivery of major components and management of machine shop and fabrication personnel to insure a timely delivery of the equipment. I was also responsible for on-site installation management, software manipulation for optimum customer satisfaction, and customer training. Once the equipment was in operation, I provided customer assistance in troubleshooting equipment for operation and quality enhancement. In addition to Allen Bradley control software, I have used Microsoft Visual Basic 6.0, Visual Basic.net, and converted SquareD SyMax software to RSLogix during control system upgrade projects.

May 1995 – April 1999 Manufacturing Engineer, Federal Mogul, Hampton, VA

Responsible for vacuum metallization department of automotive headlamp reflectors for a Tier 1 supplier. Daily activities focused on reducing scrap and cycle time and enhancing equipment productivity. Improvements in the vacuum metallization department assisted in obtaining Industry Week’s Top 10 Plants in 1997. Steps taken to realize the goals included careful monitoring of system effectiveness, an enhanced, organized maintenance plan, machine modifications, training of personnel and careful monitoring of system health. During this time, I taught myself ladder logic programming (RSLogix), was trained in Design of Experiments (DOE), and was involved in Kaizen events as a participant and team leader. The plant also attained QS9000 certification in my tenure. I was selected to be an internal auditor for QS9000 audits.

April 1994 – May 1995 – Maintenance Supervisor, Osram Sylvania, Seymour, IN

Managed maintenance shop in a major, tier 1 automotive lighting plant. In charge of scheduling preventive maintenance, dispatching appropriate personnel to troubleshoot problems, planning machine shop activities and managing stock room personnel and activities. Responsible for coordinating installation of new production and support equipment.

August 1989 – April 1994 – Systems Engineer, Calspan Corp, Arnold AFB, TN

Prepared and maintained support equipment for space chamber and wind tunnel testing for a DOD contractor working on an Air Force contract. Developed an understanding of vacuum, cryogenics, and hydraulics. Learned about the Defense Department contracting process as well as being trained in reading and understanding government specifications. Designed hydraulic supply system for distribution of hydraulic power for a wind tunnel test cart. Assisted in the development of a computerized Work Order Management System.

June 1987 – August 1989 – Research Asst., Tennessee Tech University, Cookeville, TN

Assisted with the development of a test system to analyze aerodynamic and acoustic performance of vaneaxial fans that are used for ventilation in the US Navy submarine force. I developed a flow rate measuring system that did not alter the acoustic signature of a fan at a given operating point. I also designed a rotating microphone probe that also did not affect acoustic measurements. My thesis was two-fold and included determining the maximum background noise levels in which the test system could be confidently used and an in-situ method of microphone calibration checks.

August 1983 – August 1984 – Co-op, Asst. Plant Engineer, Milliken & Co., LaGrange, GA

Assisted the Plant Engineer with the management of 9 shop personnel along with scheduling maintenance for the aging textile mill. Gained extensive knowledge of electrical and mechanical maintenance as well as shop processes and monitored plant energy consumption. During the co-op period, one Plant Engineer resigned and during the 6 week period until he could be replaced, performed as the Plant Engineer.

Computer Tools

CAD: Solidworks, AutoCAD Inventor, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical

PLC: RSLogix500 (Allen Bradley), RSLogix5000 (Allen Bradley), CX-One (OMRON)

HMI: FactoryTalkView (Allen Bradley), Connected Components Workbench (Allen Bradley)

Office: Word, Excel, Project, PowerPoint

Education

Bachelor of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University

Master of Science, Mechanical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University

Thesis: Ambient Noise Limits and a Microphone Calibration Check Method for a 16 Inch Diameter In-Duct Fan Test System

Contact this candidate