JEFFERY KEEFE WHITFORD

Madison, AL 35756
(256) 701-1853 jeffery.whitford@gmail.com www.linkedin.com/in/jefferywhitford

LEAD MECHANICAL ENGINEER

Professional Summary

Driven to solve complex problems that bring innovative products to market on time and within budget
Dedicated to quality and reliability in new product developments that exceeds customer expectations
Demonstrated ability to work across global cross-functional teams to achieve company goals
Values the importance of strong, collaborative coworker, customer, and vendor relationships
Self-directed individual able to collaborate in an ambiguous environment

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Teledyne Brown Engineering Huntsville, AL 35805 2013 - Present
Quality Engineering

Managed the Quality Program for The Navys Surface Warfare (SUW) Gun Mount Nodule 9GMM) adhering to the
requirements of AS9100 and AS9102 First Article Inspection. In which comprehensive test developed and implemented
procedure that reduced customer Factory Acceptance Testing failures from 15 to 2.
Ensured quality requirements were met while manufacturing components and tooling for the Large Vehicle Stage
Adapter (LVSA) that will be used on The Space Launch System (SLS), adhering to both Teledyne and NASA (MSFC)
policies and procedures as required.
Updated obsolete specifications to current standards to manufacture replacement Bearing Housing Assembly on a
utility arm aboard The International Space Station (ISS).
Analyzed customer requirements based on DFARS, Mil-specs, AS9100, etc. specifications contained within the PO, SOW,
Quality Requirements, and part drawings, obtaining clarity as necessary to ensure products meet customer
expectations.
Reviewed and Approve Manufacturing Route sheets to ensure they contain all customer requirements and have
adequate resource allocations
Created Root Cause / Corrective Actions (RC/CA) for product non-conformances, bringing resolution by Collaborating
with customer, manufacturing, purchasing, & vendors
Prepared and submitted product Dispositions; bringing awareness of non-conformances of previously delivered product
to the customer.
Acquired approval from customer Management Review Board for appropriate disposition of non-conforming products.
Prepared and Approved the Certificate of Conformance (CoC), stating the product meets all customer requirements

John Deere Moline, IL 61265 2007 - 2012

Innovation Collaboration Coordinator 2009 2012

Investigated, assessed, and selected 3rd party ideation software best aligned to Open Innovation initiative, managing
the vendor relationship to ensure most effective use of ideation software as well as providing customer feedback to
improve their product
Collaborated with the Legal Department to create the appropriate Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDA), necessary to
protect Intellectual Property (IP) resulting from ideation events, taking into account the differing global regulations
Attend various annual Open Innovations conferences and workshops to learn latest trends, techniques, and
technologies to keep up-to-date with the continually evolving field of Open Innovation
Interface and maintain relationships with R&D Managers and Program Managers to generate Open Innovation strategies
that are aligned to department goals and tailored to fit department cultures
Led multiple global cross functional teams (~35 teams) to generate over 5,000 ideas by successfully completing virtual
collaboration ideation events; ranging from small (~25 participants) to entire Deere enterprise.
Initiated Virtual Collaboration event follow with Event Sponsor to identify lessons learned and apply them to future
events as appropriate
Managed, analyzed, and tracked Innovation portfolio of projects; determining viability of projects based on aligning
project metrics to department metrics, preparing material and reporting current status to senior management
Successfully worked across all business functions, locations, and product development phases to generate a corporate
wide view of the Innovation Project Portfolio clearly communicating the projects technological and business readiness.
Tracked $10MM department budget, collaborating with project budget owners for status updates, ensuring projects are
on track for spending commitments. Reported status of budget to management, bringing awareness of potential issues
along with plans to resolve.
Developed, implemented, managed from the ground-up, Digital Signage capability for Deeres Global Technical
Innovation Network; purposed with improving awareness & collaboration across globally located centers.

JEFFERY KEEFE WHITFORD

Lead Chassis Design Engineering 2007 2009 (John Deere Contd)

Led Chassis Engineering Team, prioritizing availability of limited resources to manage multiple model year STS
Combines, implementing over 600 new chassis parts
Guided 6 junior level engineers and engineering interns; teaching engineering principles and methodologies as well as
how engineering fits within a Staged Gate Product Development process.
Facilitated monthly Engineering Design Reviews to bring awareness and subsequent discussion of design changes to a
cross functional team consisting of Quality, Manufacturing, Supply Management, and Legal
Presented at monthly Change Control and Risk Assessment meetings to bring awareness of design changes and program
risks to management
Developed & verified customer usage profiles used to for modeling & analyzing Finite Element Analysis and Fatigue life
predictions to structural component and systems, making design changes as necessary to meet customer demands
Experienced with wide range of materials and methodologies used in product designs: cast iron, cast aluminum, forged
aluminum, steel stampings, laser cutting & bending, injection molding, & polymers, bolted joints, welding, adhesives,
mistake proofing, Design for Manufacturing
Employed multiple manufacturing methods and techniques (welding, bolted joints, adhesives, mistake-proofing) to
ensure chassis structural integrity meets customer specifications and Design for Manufacturing requirements
Used ProE and PDMLink, to create, review, and approve drawings following ANSI Y14.5 GD&T standards.

Chrysler Auburn Hills, MI 48321 2006 - 2007

Product Design Engineer

Responsible for the Design, Development, and Release of wheels, tires, wheel ornamentation, wheels studs and lug
nuts, and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) based on evolving customer needs and government regulations.
Resolved warranty issues on multiple programs using Six Sigma methodologies (DFSS, DOE, QTC, etc.) leading to
improved product performance.
Collaborated with wheel and tire Subject Matter Experts in developing, updating, and maintaining test standards and
best practices

Ford Motor Company Dearborn, MI 48126 2000 - 2006

Product Design Engineer

Responsible for the Design, Development, and Release of wheels, tires, wheel ornamentation, wheels studs and lug
nuts, and tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS) based on evolving customer needs and government regulations.
Generated, managed, completed, and approved Part Validation and Verification Plans (PV&V), Reliability Plans, and
Quality Documentation, in accordance to APQP, PPAP guidelines.
Presented at monthly Change Control and Risk Assessment meetings to bring awareness design changes and program
risks to management
Achieved ~ $9mm annually in cost reductions through the integration of cross-program part commonization, redesigns,
continuous improvements, resolved warranty issues, and implementation of R&D prototypes.

EDUCATION
Masters Business Administration
Concentration in Finance
Graduated with Distinction
Bachelor in Science & Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Graduated with Distinction

University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI

2005

University of Michigan, Dearborn, MI

2000

SKILLS / MEMBERSHIPS / CERTIFICATIONS

Technical Skills
FMEA (Failure Mode Effects and Analysis)
PCM (Process Control Methods)
SPC (Statistical Process Controls)
DFSS (Design for Six Sigma)
Design for Manufacturing
FEA (Finite Element Analysis)
Accelerated Design Verification, Key Life Testing
GD&T, ANSI Y14.5
AS9100/AS9102, ASME, NQA Standards
APQP, PPAP
Pro-E, PDM Link
HTML, CSS
Community Involvement
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Boy Scouts of America: Assistance Scout Master

Business Skills
Open Innovation
Crowd Sourcing
Project Management
Budget Management
Portfolio Management
MS Office Tools

Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Access, Share Point

Certifications
Six Sigma Black Belt
John Deere - September 2009

Professional Associations
American Society of Mechanical Engineer