Engineer Quality
Resume:
Brent Whitson
Hope, Indiana *****
Product Development / Quality Engineer
A senior engineer with 20 years experience developing and introducing products and
supplier components that meet design requirements and customer quality expectations.
Engineering Experience Overview
Columbus Components Group, Columbus, IN 3/2005 – 1/2009
Position / Title: Quality Engineer Start Date
Skills / Duties
Introduction and new product quality functions for deep drawn and welded components meeting new
product quality requirements for heavy-duty diesel customers: Allison Transmission, Caterpillar Engine,
Cummins Inc., International Engine, and exhaust components and welded assemblies for Arvin-Meritor and
Zuena-Staerker / BMW. Developed manufacturing quality documentation. Resolved customer and supplier
quality issues.
Aisin USA Manufacturing (AUM), Seymour, IN 1/2001 – 8/2004
Position / Title: Quality Engineer Start Date
Skills / Duties
New Product Quality Planning and Manufacturing Quality support of Toyota Production Systems for power
and manual seats in vehicles produced at Toyota-Kentucky, Toyota-Indiana, and Toyota-Canada.
Provided Quality Engineering input for initial business planning and decision of process
Led Design and Process FMEA’s to identify and prevent embedded production and customer
quality issues with cross-functional teams: Press, Plating, and Manufacturing/Assy.
Initiated and managed engineering and design change requests to/from Aisin-Japan
Led drawing reviews for determination of process controls and gauge requirements
Traveled to Japan with Manufacturing Engineering to review machine designs for quality issues and
improvements in failsafing-Pokayoke of sub-assembly and final assembly processes.
Represented AUM at vehicle reviews from initial trials through post-production launch reflection
Cummins Engine Company, Columbus, IN 1986 - 2000
Position / Title Skills / Duties Start Date
Cylinder Head Drainage Led Six Sigma process for 10/99 - 11/00
Project Team Leader design revision and implementation
Apex Cylinder Kit Analysis and re-design based 02/98 - 10/99
Team Member on test results and supplier quality data
N14 Cylinder Kit Led Development and Introduction of 06/92 - 02/98
Group Member/Leader Articulated Piston, Concept to Production,
Optimized as Required for Emissions
NT - N14 Aluminum Product Engineering support of Piston Mfg. 06/88 - 06/92
Piston Support and Supplier Quality Investigation Leader
N14 Assembly Group Design and Assembly Support for Engine 10/86 - 06/88
Air, Oil, Fuel, and Water Plumbing
KEY ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Columbus Components Group
Six Sigma project to reduce defects due to multiple drawn pan part numbers to three
o
common pans made unique to customer needs at weld cell during processing.
Introduced laminated ‘Quiet Steel’ material into product lines for Cummins, Caterpillar,
o
and International Truck and Engine Co.
Elimination of in-house wet paint process and approval of suppliers for E-coat, powder
o
coat, and use of Rhino lining per customer specifications and procedures.
Aisin USA
Successful launch of SK4 seat platform for first Lexus vehicle produced in North America,
the Lexus RX300 Project at Toyota-Canada.
Concurrently launched SK4 seats platform for Toyota vehicles produced at Toyota’s
Georgetown, Kentucky and Princeton, Indiana facilities.
Implemented first use of ‘Smart Airbag’ technology in Toyota vehicles for determining
passenger weight and appropriate function of passenger airbag.
Quality Engineering support of in-house sourcing of numerous stamped parts from Aisin-
Seiki, Japan to Aisin-USA for reduced cost and in-process material.
Cummins Engine Co
Led Six Sigma team to reduce cylinder head oil level during engine operation and
•
increase oil drain back to alleviate several failure modes and improve fuel economy
Provided Product Engineering support for out-sourcing of N14 cylinder liner with an
•
associated cost reduction of over $1 million annually.
Provided Product Engineering support for source approval of N14 pistons and rings to
•
common supplier for a cost savings of $3.2 million over five years.
Reduced design evaluation testing requirements by 80% through dedicated testing
•
procedures and reduced reliability/durability testing by 10% through same methods.
Participated in development of ultrasonic piston inspection standard that resulted in
•
reducing a $4 million warranty cost to $100K over a four-year period.
Areas of Expertise and Contribution
Management of Development Programs
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Product Quality Improvement
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Common Approaches to Continuous Improvement
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Manufacturing Engineering and Quality Support
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Reliability / Durability Test Development
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Data Analysis and Technical Report Writing
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Leading Design Reviews and Program Wrap-ups
•
Education: B.S. MET, Purdue University
Professional Enhancement Training
Six Sigma Green Belt training, Safety Hazard Analysis, Classification of
Characteristics, Project Leadership Training, Reliability and Statistical Methods,
Supplier Quality Improvement, Microsoft Excel, Project, and Word Proficiency
Contact this candidate