Kevin R Stephens

**** ****** *****, *********, ** 37801 865-***-**** ( abq1l3@r.postjobfree.com

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING ?MACHINE DESIGN ?PROJECT MANAGEMENT

Mechanical Engineer with >20 years of experience in Project Management,

Machine Design, System Automation, and Regulatory Compliance. Demonstrated

ability to conceptualize, schedule, design, and drive projects to

completion while meeting or exceeding quality, cost, and delivery

requirements. Proven expertise in quickly mastering new technology and

successfully integrating system designs into existing processes. Effective

communicator and engineering staff trainer.

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

M-Force contract with MESA Technologies Inc., Knoxville, TN

December 2012 - Present

Custom Machine Build Group

Mechanical Design Engineer

. Complete mechanical concept development, equipment modeling, and

detail design activities, based on concept delivered by Mechanical

Manager and in accordance with Mesa and customer specific design

specifications

. Oversee component selection based on concept delivered by Mechanical

Manager and in accordance with Mesa and customer specific design

specifications

. Generate mechanical documents and drawing annotations necessary for

design turnover to Purchasing, Fabrication Supervisor, Assembly

Supervisor, and Controls Manager

NAVUS Automation, Inc., Knoxville, TN

June 2009 - December 2012

(Navus is a custom automation design and build firm.)

Mechanical Engineer

Responsible for conceptualization, quoting, designing, detailing, project

management, and contract management required to supporting the timely

design, assembly, and installation of automated and semi-automated custom

machine systems. Primary focus has been in the automation of welding

systems, management of customer and vendor contracts, overseeing parts

fabrication, and project management.

SMITHS DETECTION, INC., Alcoa, TN

November 2006 - March 2009

(Commercial Safety and Security Division)

(Smiths Group, division of the UK, multi-billion dollar producer of state-

of-the-art x-ray inspection systems for food and transportation

industries.)

Senior Mechanical Design Engineer / Mechanical Safety Officer

Responsible for conceptualization, design, development, and project

leadership of standard and custom x-ray screening systems and solutions,

and technical evaluation of products for compliance with equipment and

product safety regulations for worldwide distribution.

. Designed the standardization and investigation of outsourcing components

and sub-systems.

o Directed project to standardize pneumatic systems, which resulted

in significant cost reductions while increasing the overall safety

level and establishing alternative components.

. Provided design technical input for two project teams, resulting in an

approximate $4k and $10K savings per machine build.

. Facilitated Engineering Change Notification (ECN) program, including

investigation, approval, design change, weekly status meetings, and

monthly management reporting utilizing SAP, I-DEAS, and Access software

programs.

o Reduced engineering backlog from ~ 30 open requests to <10.

. Facilitated rewrite of equipment Operation Manuals in multiple languages,

and maintained required Technical File and Risk Analysis for each product

line.

. Managed third party product compliance testing for CE deceleration and

CBTL (Certified Bodies Testing Laboratory) approval.

DENSO MANUFACTURING TENNESSEE, INC., Maryville, TN

December 1991 - November 2006

(Machinery & Tools Division)

(One of the largest global manufacturers of advanced technology,

components, and systems for major automakers. The Machinery and Tools

Division is a source for design, fabrication, and assembly of production

and process equipment for all North American Denso facilities.)

Career Progression:

Staff Engineer 2002-2003, 2006

Engineering Supervisor 2003-2006

Advanced Specialist / Specialist / Entry Specialist 1991-

2002

Staff Engineer (2002-2003, 2006)

Managed projects for internal and external customers involving new machine

design and existing machine kaizen. Reviewed subordinate engineers designs

to insure quality design with low cost and compliance with federal, state,

and local regulations; and served as technical resource for associates.

. Managed a $7.5M final assembly line project for next-gen alternator

products. The project incorporated individual machines, automation of

manual processes, and final inspection into a single production line

utilizing 22 machines with a 6.5-second cycle time. Worked with Process

Engineer and management to develop the line layout and obtain budgetary

approval. Managed design team consisting of 5 ME and 4 EE and

administered project during assembly and line start up.

. Successfully developed and facilitated new machinery training for six

design engineers in the areas of design, customer interface, workload

management, project management, and post-project analyses relevant to

delivery, cost, and quality.

. Facilitated monthly education training program of technology application

for engineering associates.

Supervisor (2003-2006)

Responsible for management of multiple-disciplinary engineering staff;

contributed to review, approval, and work assignments for incoming

projects; and management and design of assigned projects.

. Managed and designed project for a final inspection machine for

electronic computer units (~$125K). The machine integrated robots,

vision, and scale systems to confirm product weight, product labeling and

component assembly. Project success resulted in company purchase of four

additional machines.

. Instructed internal and external engineering, maintenance, and operation

associates in Beginning Robotics, Intermediate Robotics, and Machine

Vision.

. Project management of flux (sealant utilized to prevent leaks)

application machine for the heater core product. One of five engineers

in entire organization to have design experience with the Flux process.

Advanced Specialist / Specialist / Entry Specialist (1991-2002)

Managed projects to establish project specifications, quoting, designing,

detailing, and supporting the timely assembly and installation of new

machine designs and existing machine kaizens.

. Managed and designed project that utilized flexible automation principles

to reduce labor requirements for alternator sub-assembly line ($1.2M).

The automation replaced 12 operators with 18 robots. Project results

included ROI of 2.2 years, labor savings of $500K / year, floor space

reduction, scrap reduction, and ergonomic improvements. Project analysis

presented at the Denso 2002 North American Production Engineering

Conference.

. Managed $500K project and design of oxygen sensor heater element assembly

cell that combined the functions of two existing sub-assembly lines.

. Managed and designed project that developed fourth product assembly line

for oxygen sensors in North America (~$3.5M). Project redesigned several

areas of existing lines' layout to enhance the production capabilities.

. Managed project to install two sub-assembly lines for the first Stick

Coil production in North America (~$4M). The lines integrated injection-

molding machines with post-process equipment to process and assemble the

stick coil into the moldings.

Allied - Signal Bendix FMD, Cleveland, TN

June 1985 - December 1991

(Pioneer and industry leader in the manufacture of automotive and

transportation industry braking technology.)

Career Progression:

Mechanical Design Engineer 1990 - 1991

Draftsman II 1987 - 1990

Cooperative Engineer 1985 - 1987

Mechanical Design Engineer (1990 - 1991)

Responsibility for managing all facets of project management, form

conception and acquiring approval through installation and follow-up for

the design and detailing of tooling (primarily molding, drilling, grinding

and inspection), machinery (parts handling and conveyors) and facility

drawings. Managed the CAD Design Group, and supervising the training of

two Cooperative Engineers.

Draftsman II (1987 - 1990)

While going to school part time, responsible for the design and detailing

of tooling, machinery, and facility drawings, supervised the training of

two Cooperative Engineers, and assisted Process and Project Engineers with

project management activities

Cooperative Engineer (1985 - 1987)

Responsible for planning, conducting and reporting on process trials and

assisting with tooling and machine design and detailing. Aided the Plant

Engineering staff with facility environmental issues.

EDUCATION / CERTIFICATION

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Engineering, Mechanical Mechanics

Concentration,

University of Tennessee at Chattanooga

State of Tennessee Engineer In Training, #13395

ADDITIONAL DEVELOPMENT

. Working knowledge of CAD software: I-deas, SolidWorks, AutoCad, and

Cadkey

. Experienced with common Microsoft Office, Visio, Project, and SAP

Business Software products

. Trained in Teamcenter Engineering 2007 Product Management and Application

Administration

. Working knowledge of Machinery, Low Voltage, and Electromagnetic

Compatibility Directives and supporting standards and NFPA, NEC, AMI,

ANSI, and OSHA requirements

. Numerous management development seminars

. ISO, JIS and ANSI geometric dimensioning and tolerancing training

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

. Volunteer construction project lead for several Habitat for Humanity home

builds

. Executive advisor for Junior Achievement

. Instructor for Toastmasters Speech Craft program

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