DOUGLAS L. MIKKELSEN

**** ***** *****, **. ******, Michigan 49085 Cell 269-***-**** adb6ge@r.postjobfree.com

Product Design Engineer

Innovative & Creative Problem Solving - Design Process Planning & Execution - People Leader, Trainer, and Mentor.

Accomplished Inventor, designer, and developer of innovative products using advanced manufacturing processes and solid surface modeling experience to produce working prototypes. Skillful and efficient with extensive special machine tool design capabilities to design and build the production capital equipment, tooling and assembly processes used to manufacture the finished product.

Global design team manager, skilled at using and training multi-national direct reports while delegating within a global network of resources. Proven ability to think outside of the box and communicate creative problem-solving approaches and innovative ideas. Known for effective presentation skills, level-headed negotiation, and productive relationship development with colleagues, customers, and staff at all levels.

Adept at planning and executing the various stages of the design process including concept development, set-up and maintenance of project timelines, organizing a design team, and supervising the engineering to manufacturing transition. Accomplished in designing and fabricating prototype products and the tooling to manufacture them with the ability to design the machinery used for high speed production.

Advanced skills using SolidWorks and ProE Creo 4.0 surfacing and solid modeling techniques. Skillful using PTC Windchill and SolidWorks PDM Product Lifecycle Management tools. Mentor Engineers and designers in the art of coupling a design intent with the correct CAD features and software application.

Inventor

Patents awarded, and applications submitted allowing a first to market advantage by blocking aggressive competitors from gaining technological advantages on high profile projects.

Developed innovative Dishwasher product designs, Front & Top load clothes washer product design, Clothes dryer product design, Power transmission design, Robotics for automatic assembly tooling, Pump and blower assemblies, Hydraulic cylinders for heavy equipment, portable air compressors, lead acid battery fabrication systems, Disc brake assembly tooling, Air bag assembly tooling, Rail road freight car braking systems, Extensive special machine tool design.

Leadership

CAD Manager and Design Team Manager for seven years maintaining up to 14 multi-national direct report designers and Engineers.

Maintained employee engagement and development program schedules.

Provided weekly workshop training sessions to mentor Engineers and Designers in the design process and CAD software application. Created PowerPoint presentations to facilitate training.

Project Management

Created a design request system using the Google Drive application to organize resources for an average of 200-300 global network design projects per year. This system allowed me to allocate 70% of my time to product design by allowing team members to share and edit the system documents.

Created spreadsheets to maintain project timelines to execute the various stages of the design process.

Communication

Hosted daily global telecommunication meetings to advise and mentor multiple designers with ideas and concepts to facilitate and advance timely design schedules.

Developed PowerPoint presentations to convey design concepts to Senior Managers and project partners.

Technical Skills

24 plus years of experience starting with SolidWorks first release in 1995 through 2018. 12 years’ experience using ProE Creo. Highly skilled in surfacing and solid modeling techniques with both software’s.

Skillful using PTC Windchill including 12 years of use for the Whirlpool Advanced Development Product Design team along with the SolidWorks PDM Product Lifecycle Management tools.

Trained to operate machine shop and lab equipment to fabricate prototype parts and preform hands-on assembly of the final prototype, including all controls and wiring.

Basic controls and electrical schematic design and wiring.

Experience

STRYKER CORPORATION, MEDICAL DEVICE DIVISION, Kalamazoo, MI August 2019 – December 2019

(Contract through Insight Global, Grand Rapids, MI)

Product Design Engineer

Designed and prototyped the power transmission module for an emergency patient self-propelled evacuation transport Power Chair-PRO.

Successfully designed and introduced a structural process design that solved the extreme deflections caused by torsional forces created by the original power transmission module prototype.

GENERAL MOTORS, Grand Rapids, MI March 2019 – August 2019

(Contract through Imperial Design, Grand Rapids, MI)

Machine Tool Designer

Designer of new engine valve train components, special machines, and automatic assembly systems.

MIKKELSEN TECHNOLOGIES, St. Joseph, MI October 2018 – March 2019

Product and Tool Designer, Owner

Freelance design and manufacture consulting.

Conceptual development, design, and build of innovative prototypes. Coffee Maker Pump, Ozone Sterilization System, and Unique End of Arm Robotic Tooling.

G.A. RICHARDS, MACHINE AUTOMATION GROUP, Zeeland, MI March 2018 – September 2018

Senior Engineer-Operations Manager

Managed the design engineering team, schedules, and projects within the MAG division.

Concept creation, quotation, and design of special machines and automatic assembly and test equipment for the automotive, appliance, and electronic industries.

Ongoing training and preparations to transition to the position of Operations Manager of the MAG division. Responsible for the guidance of the engineering, manufacturing, and sales departments.

BOND TECHNOLOGIES, Elkhart, IN September 2017 – March 2018

(Contract through Aerotek, South Bend, IN)

Lead Machine Design Engineer

Designer of friction stir welding special machines and automatic assembly systems.

Create innovative concepts and convert these ideas into state of the art production systems.

Maintain project design schedules while leading a team of designers.

EAGLE TECHNOLOGIES, Bridgman, MI 2016 - 2017

Lead Machine Design Engineer

Designed special machines and automatic assembly and test equipment for the automotive, appliance, and electronic industries.

Maintained project design schedules while leading a team of designers.

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor/St. Joseph, MI 2004 - 2016

Lead Product Designer and Manager of Fabric Care Advanced Development Design Team

Designed and developed innovative fabric care ideas and concepts.

Designed and fabricated new washer and dryer advanced concept prototypes.

Managed the design engineering team and projects within the research arm of the Laundry Group.

Direct report and maintenance responsibilities of all personnel within the group.

Design and implementation of new laboratory test equipment and pre-production automation systems.

WELDUN INTERNATIONAL, Bridgman, MI 2003-2004

Lead Machine Design Engineer

Designed special machines and automatic assembly and test equipment for the automotive, appliance, and electronic industries.

Maintained project design schedules while leading a team of designers.

DANE SYSTEMS, Stevensville, MI 1993-2003

Lead Machine Design Engineer

Designed special machines and automatic assembly and test equipment for the automotive, appliance, and electronic industries.

Maintained project design schedules while leading a team of designers.

TRIAX COMPANY- Benton Harbor, MI 1992-1993

Design Engineer

Designed and developed rail road freight car braking components.

Redesigned century old braking system with the use of Aries F.E.A. software resulting in a large weight reduction while increasing the braking capacity.

Education

Lake Michigan College, Benton Harbor Michigan – Vocational Associates, Machine Design Technologies

St. Joseph Highschool - Graduate

Additional Training

Basic Opex Six-Sigma

Toyota Manufacturing Process Lean Experience

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