Thomas J. Heyden, PE

*** *. **** ****** ********* Heights, IL 60005 Phone: 224-***-**** Email: addkjy@r.postjobfree.com

www.linkedin.com/in/thomasheydenpe

Rolling Stock Certification and Validation Manager

Excellent problem-solving skills and extensive experience with vehicle structural design, fatigue analysis, testing, vibration analysis, wear mitigation, pneumatics, hydraulics, automation and foundry manufacturing processes.

Build, develop and lead strong collaborative teams to complete projects. Initiate, plan, execute, monitor/control and close projects domestically and internationally. Create thoroughly defined project charters that outline business objectives and define critical success factors. Generate project management plans that anticipate project risks, identify stakeholders and outline methods for managing stakeholder expectations. Create a sense of urgency and outline team member roles and responsibilities. Monitor and control project scope/product quality, costs and schedule, clearing away obstacles to team productivity and ensuring proper resource allocation while using soft skills to manage stakeholders. Regularly evaluate and address project risks until completion.

Analytical

Project Scheduling

Six Sigma Black Belt

Problem Solver

MS Project

DMAIC / DMADV

Team Builder

Risk Management

Quality Assessment Tools

Analysis of Variance

Correlation Analysis

Control Charts

Trend Analysis

Value Stream Mapping

Root Cause Analysis

New Product Development

Management of Stakeholder Expectations

Quality Improvement

Team Management / Accountability

ACHIEVEMENTS

Built Staff Capacity for Leadership – Several staff have taken on leadership / management rolls.

Developed and Installed Robotic Truck Reconditioning System at two Class 1 Railroads

Applied an Advanced Truck Design on two Class 1 Railroads

Obtained AAR Quality and Technical Certifications at 2 Foreign Foundries

Achieved AAR Approval for 2 Truck Designs That Will Dramatically Increase Revenue

Developed and Presented a Proposal Winning a $300 M contract

Managed Customer Technical Interface on a Passenger Car Project from Inception to Final Design Review (FDR).

Dramatically Reduced Warranty Claims through Innovative and Quality Focused Design and Production Methods

25% Cost Reduction on a Core Product Assembly Through a CIP Project Focused on Design and Manufacturing

Increased Application Engineering Process Efficiency, Creating Twice as Much Time for New Product Development

Developed Iron Python – Fail-safe method for keeping railcars in yards.

15 Patents for Products that Improve Efficiency, Reduce Maintenance and Increase Revenue

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE

Strato Inc. - Designer and manufacturer of railcar components, primarily hoses and castings. 2014 – 12/2019

SENIOR PROJECT MANAGER~ CATS (CASTINGS AND TRUCK SYSTEMS)

Led the Truck New Product Development Team and Managed the Truck Development Portfolio. This included developing and manufacturing railcar suspension systems/components and a robotic truck manufacturing/remanufacturing system.

Developed, trained, and motivated the engineering staff to create a highly skilled and collaborative engineering team.

Developed railcar suspension systems and the offshore suppliers. This included:

Dynamic analysis of railcars to determine the key performance influencing variables

Modification of designs to accommodate manufacturing facility’s processes / equipment

Development of manufacturing processes to meet stringent quality standards

Obtaining the industry quality and technical certifications necessary to sell these products in the US

Developed and field tested an advanced truck design that simultaneously improves railcar steering (autonomous negotiation of track curves) and hunting (tendency of truck systems to oscillate between the rails) resistance. This product reduces wear on the railcar and the rail infrastructure while reducing rolling resistance / improving fuel economy.

Led the development of a robotic truck manufacturing system that performs automatic inspection, welding and machining of parts to obtain better dimensional control and improved product performance.

Nippon Sharyo - Designer and builder of passenger cars. 2012 - 2014

MANAGER OF MECHANICAL SYSTEM AND TRUCK DESIGN ENGINEERING

Responsible for integrating mechanical systems into passenger railcars, developing new truck designs, evaluating 3rd party products / designs and evaluating vendor capability (technical and quality).

Developed and presented project proposals to customer/consultant teams.

Managed the technical responses to customers/consultants, vetting the work before delivery and ensuring satisfaction.

Precision Rail - Designer and manufacturer of railroad classification yard equipment. 2000 - 2012

DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING ~ Railroad Products Division

Led the New Product Engineering Team in the development of pneumatic, hydraulic and control equipment.

Developed the strategic direction of new product development and existing product improvement (reliability, manufacturing efficiency and reduced maintenance).

Managed the tactical application of NPD strategy by directly supervising the team, ensuring clear direction, accountability and support.

Managed intellectual property including the preparation of patent claims, overseeing patent applications and monitoring patent activities of competition.

Developed and trained engineering staff to create a proficient and strong engineering team.

Standard Car Truck - Designer and manufacturer of railcar components and suspension systems. 1996 - 2000

DIRECTOR OF TECHNOLOGICAL RESOURCES

Led the implementation of computer modeling, stress analyses, and fatigue analyses to facilitate the expansion of the company’s product line to include side frames and bolsters, resulting in a 3-fold increase in revenue.

Established engineering product design schedules, monitored performance, and took the actions required to meet goals.

Thrall Car Manufacturing - Designer and manufacturer of railroad cars. 1993 - 1996

STRESS ANALYST

Performed classical stress analysis, linear & nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA), fatigue analysis and product testing in order to achieve more cost effective and efficient railcar designs.

EDUCATION

COMPREHENSIVE PROJECT MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP

Preparations for PMP exam in the Spring

American Management Association

MASTER OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION

Emphasis: Finance & Entrepreneurship

University of Illinois Chicago, IL

LEAN SIX SIGMA BLACK BELT CERTIFICATE

Villanova University Villanova, PA

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE ~ MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Marquette University Milwaukee

REFERENCES

See LinkedIn Profile

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