Project Manager Engineer

KURT SCHWARZWALDER

***** ****** **.

Macomb, MI *8044, 586-***-**** 248-***-**** Alternate

Personal Summary

I am an experienced Program/Project Manager, Research and Product

Development Engineer and Validation Engineering professional who has a

proven track record of results. My reputation of professionalism,

leadership and relationship building have allowed me to succeed at all

levels of my given responsibilities resulting in on budget, on

specification, and on time delivery of customer and organizational

requirements during the launch process of assigned projects and programs.

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY

Burtek Inc. - (2008 to 2010)

Program Manager - Lead cross functional IPT teams during the launch of

various multi-million dollar defense related programs while maintaining

program milestones and on time, on budget, on spec requirements of the

organization and customer. Familiar with all aspects of delivering DOD

programs from MS Project IMS scheduling, program SDRL's, CDRL's, change

management, risk mitigation, issues resolution through F.A.I.

Managed $7.1M dollar tethered aerostat DX rated JLENS defense program for

major defense contract. Managed $270,000 in scope changes during a (14)

month period while maintaining customer build schedule. Lead cross

functional IPT team through risk mitigation and problem solving

opportunities while maintaining corporate program budget.

Developed a risk mitigation plan to address a Anodizing tank fit issue with

a vendor. The aluminum sub-assembly being manufactured was to large to fit

in the current dip tanks within our local supply base. I came up with an

idea to rent a large steel dumpster and insert a plastic liner enabling the

Anodize vendor to pump the Anodize solution in and out of the this make

shift tank so as to enable a complete dip of the assembly. This process

achieved the required coverage and specification compliance of the

Anodizing solution. This issue was in the program critical path. Utilizing

the make shift tank process enabled me to maintain critical program timing.

Noble Metal Processing - (2006 to 2008)

Sr. Program Manager - Lead cross functional advance product quality

planning (APQP) teams during the launch of multiple automotive laser welded

body panel, laser welded tube and roll formed assembly programs. I created,

monitored and reviewed integrated master schedules during regular team

meetings. Maintained on time deliveries through regular program management

reviews with the APQP team and negotiated resource allocations and overtime

with management where necessary. Managed program budgets through regular

review of program financial status with senior members of the company

financial group. Negotiated new pricing strategies for programs at risk of

becoming over budget through the use of engineering changes, both customer

driven as well as company driven, or through vendor equipment and tooling

price negotiations. Maintained specification requirements through the

facilitation of initial specification reviews with the corporate

Engineering group and the customer.

Managed the companies first Laser Welded Tube program where tubes are

formed, in house, after laser welding. The customer GD&T was outside of the

company manufacturing capability, I negotiated a new tolerance scheme with

the customer that allowed us to produce parts to print and within the

companies capability generating $700,000 in revenue.

TRW Engineered Fasteners - (2005)

Product Engineer - Responsible for Engineering and Validation support of

automotive air outlets used on automotive instrument panels as part of the

HVAC system. Used Microsoft Project for customer project time line

tracking, used Autocad Mechanical Desktop and Unigraphics design software

for data review, developed system Design Failure Mode Effects Analysis

(D.F.M.E.A.) and Advanced Design Validation Plan and Report (ADVP&R's), in

the development of air outlets. Implemented working knowledge of interior

component manufacturing processes such as welding, injection molding, and

assembly during the development phase. I directed personnel as needed in

the completion of necessary Engineering functions used in bringing

components to production. Created manufacturing control plans for product

prototype processes.

Ligon Brothers Manufacturing - (2002 to 2005)

Project Manager - Engineering and Program Management lead of multiple

automotive and non-automotive components as well as mechanical assembly

projects from the point of sourcing through production run-@-rate. Lead the

cross functional advance product quality planning (APQP) teams responsible

to support the launch of multiple components and assemblies. Utilized AS400

for component production manufacturing routing, B.O.M's and

purchase requisitioning. Used Microsoft Project to create and track

customer milestones as well as manage project resources. Used Mechanical

Desktop and Unigraphics design software in effort to facilitate Engineering

data reviews as they relate to customer specification as well as our

manufacturing capabilities. Reviewed GD&T concepts used in production

drawings and verification gauges to ensure manufacturing accuracy of

product.

Managed the first non-automotive (Whirlpool Corp.) stamping and assembly

project generating $1.6M of revenue. Launch timing was critical. I acquired

(2) new progressive dies, (3) new pieces of assembly equipment and brought

a host of new suppliers online within a 17-week period, no key dates were

missed.

Ligon Brothers Manufacturing - (1996 to 2002)

Research & Development Engineer Research, development, validation and all

associated aspects used to engineer components (plastic and metallic), sub

assemblies and TPE extrusions from concept through production for

automotive and non automotive applications. Named on (2) U.S. patents, (1)

published and (1) issued see Education/Other below for patent numbers.

Familiar with OEM quality programs and AIAG validation processes used in

bringing components and sub assemblies to production. Knowledgeable of

numerous types of OEM seat construction/manufacturing processes and HVAC

system components both plastic and metallic. Duties included developing

design concepts, prototyping and validation testing. Developed component

specifications, design validation plans and application methods used to

bring automotive components and sub assemblies to production.

Developed a patented method for creating a pushpin type fastener in the

substrate of a Polypropylene and Santoprene co-extrusion. The technology

generated $1M in sales between two programs.

In a joint venture between Ligon and McCord Winn Textron, developed and

managed an entire validation program for (5) different patented mechanical

lumbar systems, generating approx $1.5M in sales and royalties.

In a joint venture between Ligon and TRW, developed and managed the

validation program for a patented plastic pressure relief

valve that generated approximately $700,000 in sales and royalties.

Forsheda Scandmec Inc. - (1991 to 1996)

Design & Development Engineer - Designed, prototyped, tested and validated

seat heating systems for automotive and after market applications in North

America. I designed, prototyped, tested and validated seat heating systems

used in automotive and non-automotive applications. I developed materials,

suppliers, application methods and validation plans for seat heating

systems as well as designing numerous production seat heating systems.

Responsible Project-Engineering liaison between the customers here in the

United States and the corporate office in Sweden. Responsible for bringing

the $2M 1996 Jeep Grand Cherokee Seat Heating System to production in North

America. I managed all aspects of the launch process from the development

of the Seat Heating system to the validation and PPAP. Was responsible for

the program budget and timing as well as compliance to customer product

specifications.

EDUCATION / OTHER

Pursuing Bachelor of Science Degree in Organizational Leadership (BSOL)

Rochester College, Rochester, Michigan. Graduating spring 2011, current

3.85 GPA.

Associate of Applied Science (AAST), Electronic Engineering Technology,

Macomb Community College, Warren, Michigan - April 1984.

Technical Engineering Seminars AutoCAD Mechanical Desktop 6 Marc Finite

Element Analysis, GD&T concepts, Basic Management.

U.S. Patents published US 2005/0042421 A1 & US 2008/0128053 A1 - U.S.

Patent Issued US 6,398,997 B1

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