DON Q THACH

Email: dt10edf36@westpost.net
542 Firestone Lane
Placentia, CA 92870-5240
Mobil: 714-686-2020
Home: 714-572-1828
SUMMARY
Versatile aerospace engineer with direct experience in mass properties supportin
g design, system integration, and production design/stress and thermal analyses
with logistics in commercial airlines. Working knowledge and experience in stre
ss/thermal analysis, fatigue and damage tolerance analysis of metallic and compo
site aircraft structures using classical and finite element methods. Have the a
bility to solve problems from aircraft system and subsystem perspectives. Exper
ienced in using MSC NASTRAN/PATRAN, COSMOS/M, Catia V4/V5, ProE, MathCad, all Mi
crosoft Office products, dBMass, AWBS, and Product Data Management (PDM/Teamcent
er). Ability to work well with others in a team environment; and flexible to lea
rn and acquire new skills. Active DoD Secret Clearance.
SELECT ACHIEVEMENTS
Attained a full working knowledge of systems and subsystems for the F-35 JSF Ce
nter Fuselage by supporting subsystems design team for more than 5 years. (Nort
hrop Grumman Corporation)
Successfully researched and devised a method to calculate weight and CG for all
wire harnesses and coax cables coming within 5% of the actual for F-35 Center F
uselage. (Northrop Grumman Corporation)
Integrated various payloads and performed system installations on UAV Predators
A & B for the USAF. (General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc.)
Assessed damaged inlet component and considered repair viability and costs vers
us scrapping part; successfully built and installed segment, saving commercial a
irlines approximately 50% of costs. (Goodrich Aerospace)
EXPERIENCE
NORTHROP GRUMMAN CORPORATION, Aerospace Systems, El Segundo, CA June 2005 - Pres
ent
Engineer 4, Mass Properties Subsystems & Mechanisms IPTs (F-35 JSF Lightning II
Program)
The sole point of contact in mass properties role to support Subsystems design f
or the BTP release processes:
Signed-off all Subsystems Build-To- Packages (BTPs) for Chief Engineer Review,
Kick-Off, Design Freeze, & formal release in PDM/Teamcenter approval.
Executed analyses to compute & verify center of gravity, moment and product of
inertias of systems and subsystems.
Devised method to calculate weight and CG for all wire harnesses and coax cable
s that pass thru the Center Fuselage.
Tracked center fuselage weight growth & technical performance measurements (TPM
) as design evolves and add new data to weight growth model.
Distributed weight allocation/targets and ensured weight visibility to all Subs
ystems IPT levels.
Monitored Potential Weight Change (PWC) based on engineering change request (CR
) and updated mass properties data in Mass Properties Data Management System (MP
DMS) database.
Performed weight studies and assessed/provided weight impact to internal custom
ers (Subsystems IPTs) as well as external customer Lockheed Martin (LMA).
Upon delivery of each Center Fuselage to LMA and to fulfill program directive, p
articipated in a team effort for the actual weighing of the entire center fusela
ge in Palmdale Manufacturing Center prior shipping.
Contributed in weight prediction and reconciliation activities by validating T
eam Furnished Equipment (TFE) and providing updates to Lockheed Martin, validati
ng Traveled Work items for actual weighing and developing wire harness coiled an
d stowed configurations.
Examined and verified all Line Replaceable Units (LRUs) & Team Furnished Equipm
ent (TFEs) installed in the center fuselage.
Reviewed and validated final contractor mass properties reports to external cus
tomer, LMA.
GENERAL ATOMICS AERONAUTICAL SYSTEMS INC, San Diego, CA September 2003 June 200
5
Lead Engineer, Systems Integration Group (UAV Predator A & Predator B)
Successfully found solutions that allowed for the integration of all requested n
ew payloads on the Predator, meeting the mission requirements of the USAF:
Collaborated and obtained technical customer payload requirements (geometric si
zes, weight, power, cooling, & etc) and determined optimum payload locations; an
alyzed flight performance, range, and endurance.
Performed independent verification and validation of mass properties of all UAV
Predators.
Examined design alternatives to reduce weight and verify performance.
Supported logistics and field operations:
Provided detailed engineering analyses and technical data needed for Time Compl
iant Technical Document (TCTD) approvals on all UAV Predator modification within
required deadlines.
Reviewed flight operational and maintenance manuals and provided technical data
deficiencies and recommended disposition.
Reviewed and approved weight and balance handbook generated from USAF Automated
Weight & Balance Systems (Charts A & B and Forms F, etc) for each delivered Pre
dator vehicle.
Received and evaluated field reports and implemented corrective actions and les
sons learned.
Performed systems engineering and integration in support of design team:
Maintained UAV standard configurations with various payloads for baseline, opti
on, and future upgrades.
Performed studies on various weapon systems (GPS, smart munitions, Hellfire mis
siles) load-out with accurate weights, CG, and mass moment of inertias.
Supported technical and administrative integration tasks at air vehicle systems
/ subsystems.
Devised an alternate customer preferred method to weight Predator on a three-po
int system.
Interfaced with Project/Systems Engineer to develop specification requirements
(performance, endurance, range, & weight and balance) at the air vehicle, system
s and subsystem levels.
GOODRICH AEROSPACE, Aerostructures Group (Formerly ROHR Inc.), Chula Vista, CA N
ov. 1996 Aug. 2003
Senior Engineer, Product Design/Stress Analysis (Aircraft Engine Nacelle Structu
res)
Provided supporting role in design and stress analyses for the company aircraft
engine nacelle structures:
Performed classical & finite-element structural analyses to assist re-design, i
nstallations, and modification of aircraft nacelle structures and hardware. (Boe
ing 737 Inlet & Fan Cowl, Boeing 747/767 CF6-80C2 Engine Nacelle Structures)
Designed analyses such as preliminary stress and weight calculations, thermal a
nd rate of flow calculations etc.
Provided structural integrity evaluations of related components with durability
and damage tolerance inspections.
Developed/implemented internal processes in completing project goals and stream
line design activities to include affordability and producibility initiatives.
Provided technical assistance to airlines and damage repair assessments with re
commendations on repair procedures per company approved methods.
Represented OEM logistic support for Goodrich Airlines Customer Support team me
mbers, as well as external customers (Boeing & Airbus), providing review, approv
al and establishment of field repairs.
Assisted airlines in ordering of appropriate spare parts.
Advised airlines on FAA directives and ensured timely completion of required ma
intenance and safety issues.
Manufacturing Support/Liaison
Interfaced with MRB for engineering support and solved manufacturing and produc
ibility issues.
Maintained liaison with manufacturing and tooling during prototype development
and early phases of manufacturing to solve design issues.
Familiarized with MIL Standards governing drawing requirements, ASME/ANSI Y14.5
M-1982, machined and manufacturing tolerances, company internal process and manu
facturing specifications, shop fabrication standards and practices, and installa
tions of aircraft fasteners.
EDUCATION / SPECIALIZED ENGINEERING TRAINING
Masters in Mechanical Engineering, August 1996
THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERISTY Whiting School of Engineering, Baltimore, MD
Bachelor of Sciences in Aeronautical Engineering, April 1991
EMBRY-RIDDLE AERONAUTICAL UNIVERSITY, Daytona Beach, FL
21st Century Leadership Certificate Program, February 2011
UCLA Extension Sponsored by Northrop Grumman Corporation
SPECIAL RECOGNITION AWARDS
F-35 JSF SDD Weight Incentive Program, Northrop Grumman Corporation 2006, Award
Amount: $100
NORTHROP GRUMMAN AEROSPACE SYSTEMS (ISWR) TIMELY AWARDS PLAN (TAP)
In recognition of my significant accomplishment and contribution to Northrop Gru
mman
TAP Award Amount: $400.00 June 2007