Mechanical Engineer Senior

Melissa A. Tolson

Sr. Mechanical Engineer

North Augusta, SC 29860 414-***-**** ***************@*****.***

Profile of Qualifications

Highly accomplished Senior Mechanical Engineer eager to contribute 20+ years of professional experience in a fast-paced production environment toward maximizing a top employer’s success

Remain up-to-date on current industry trends to develop and implement innovative mechanical systems and mechanisms for consumer products

Strategically prioritize, coordinate, and manage multiple projects to optimize productivity and achieve on-time, on-budget, and high-quality performance goals

Influential self-starter who quickly rectifies on-site and virtual challenges by streamlining processes, eliminating road blocks and adapting to evolving scenarios

Dynamic communication and interpersonal relation skills with a continual commitment to communicating project updates, issues, and resolutions with internal and external stakeholders, engineers, and clients

Technology savvy, with proficiency using CREO, PDM, MDM, and Microsoft Office softwares; rapidly learn new systems and software supporting employer operations

Offer an in-depth understanding of BoM management and GD&T practices per ASME Y14.5-2009

Obtained several patents; US9699963 Mulch control lever, US9699966 Mower deck spindle cover, US9924633 Mower deck gauge wheel support, and US10356971 Front attachment lift mechanism

Professional Experience

Club Car 2019 – Present

Senior Mechanical Custom Engineer

Leverage engineering background to design custom offerings including half doors, ladder racks, Lower ROPs and windshields from concept to production in accordance with customer requirements and standards

Utilize Ansys to conduct explicit dynamic FE analysis on FOPs design to successfully pass testing and correlate results back to software prediction

Proactively identify BoM, design and data related issues and rectify in a timely fashion

Prioritize daily workflow of engineering/design team to maximize our productivity and efficiency

Verify all Custom Engineering Change Notices (ECNs) from an engineering and data perspective providing technical leadership to ensure quality of designs, BoMs and manufacturing data prior to release

Coach and mentor team members to enable success and overall customer satisfaction in quoting and order delivery of custom solutions

Fostering and executing improved processes for quote and engineering change work flow in collaboration with Custom Solutions team to achieve increases in efficiency and quality; Increased department efficiency by ~44%

Utilize Windchill Admin permissions to Void/Retire/Rename/Relocate files to maintain a clean system

RFA Engineering (John Deere Commercial Products) 2015 – 2019

Engineering Supervisor

Skillfully designed and executed frame, brake, and ROP systems across 1E/R 3R and 4M/R platforms; Prepared and lead technical design reviews, change coordination and DFMEA communications

Effectively managed, motivated, and coached 5-9 employees as the onsite RFA supervisor and trainer

Performed thorough inspections, analysis, and hand calculations to evaluate the fatigue of initial designs

Owned the design and release of over 100 parts while adhering to standards and requirements

Recruited qualified candidates that met position requirements and goals for RFA Engineering

Consistently ensured design changes complied with EU167 regulation updates on 1, 3, and 4 series tractors

Successfully launched several products including EU167 updated IE/R series and updated 3R / 4M/R series

Strengthened existing knowledge of GD&T practices, SAP, PDM Link, FEA software, and failure predictions

RFA Engineering (John Deere Horicon Works) 2011 – 2015

Engineer III

Played a vital role in ensuring the seamless development and implementation of X905R including differential locks, mower deck lifts, rear discharge chutes, seat structures, and frames

Provided valuable training and guidance to onsite team members as an integral RFA trainer

Closely analyzed daily testing to determine areas of improvement for the MulchControl design which was successfully launched to production June 2015

Kept lines of communication open with team members to discuss project status and updates for the mower deck subsystem design

Melissa Tolson 414-***-**** Page 2

Professional Experience Continued

Briggs & Stratton Power Products 2010 – 2011

Snowblower Group-Contract Design Engineer

Produced in-depth documentation and BoMs for 100+ products during various program changes

Oversaw that CAD assemblies and production were up-to-date based on model year requirements for several new products launched into the commercial marketplace

Applied engineering techniques to create, interpret, and manage assemblies, drawings, and support documents

Coordinated, planned, and managed the design process for 3 new drawn steel dash panels with headlights

Wrote and enforced test procedures for new and existing products to validate designs and maximize quality

Utilization of Teamcenter software paired with ProE & UX I-Deas

Briggs & Stratton Power Products (Formerly Simplicity) 2004 – 2010

Snowblower Group-College Intern (30-40 hrs/wk year round)

Worked collaboratively with team members in the design and drafting of new products including drift cutters and skid shoes for multi-use and universal fitments

Gained hands-on experience in overseeing line processes and BoM corrections while attending pilot builds

Drove a decrease in production costs and errors by redesigning auger bushings to use common bolt pattern across multiple platforms

Decreased deflector control and chute rotation costs by more than $10/unit

Utilization of Teamcenter software paired with ProE & UX I-Deas

Simplicity Manufacturing, Inc. 1999 – 2001

Lawn Tractor Division-High School Intern (30-40 hrs/wk year round)

Utilized I-Deas, MircroStation, and pencil/electric eraser to make hundreds of back logged drawing updates

Actively assisted staff with designing a universal bumper attachment for all Simplicity lawn tractors

Education

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee; 2009

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