Aaron Shay
Granada Hills
Summary
Accomplished Program Manager, Product Engineer, and Department Manager with a proven track record of strong leadership and people skills. Adept at successfully bringing products to market, with 24 years of experience in hybrid and battery electric automotive product development. Expertise spans across systems/component engineering, design, fabrication, testing, process development, production launch, and after-sales support. Known for driving innovation and efficiency in complex projects, ensuring high-quality outcomes and program success.
Overview
36
36
years of professional experience
Work History
Director, Eyewear Development and Production
Chrome Hearts, LLC
04.2015 - Current
- Lead a dynamic production team of 18, orchestrating efforts across floor management, expert machining, design, advanced coatings, CNC operations, assembly, and rigorous quality control.
- Expanded responsibilities to lead the technical setup and development of a newly established facility in Tucson, Arizona. Oversaw the creation of detailed floorplans, optimized production workflows, coordinated the installation of machinery, and engineered manufacturing processes to ensure efficient and effective operations.
- Spearhead the technical evolution of premium eyewear, transforming creative vision into precise engineering—developing comprehensive drawing packages, innovative components, and specialized tooling for domestic and international manufacturing partnerships.
- Drive root cause analysis and decisive action for product failures, implement robust mitigation strategies and pioneer long-term improvements to elevate standards and reliability.
- Forge and expand strategic technical and commercial alliances with global vendors, co-creating products and overseeing schedules, tooling, sampling, costing, and stringent quality benchmarks to consistently surpass expectations.
- Command the full lifecycle of in-house product development—scheduling, manufacturability design, commercial strategy, rigorous testing, tooling innovation, process engineering, and production control—to guarantee flawless execution from concept to completion.
Manager, Mechanical Engineering
US Hybrid
09.2014 - 04.2015
- Directed the engineering and design team overseeing systems engineering and mechanical design.
- Supervised shop that fabricates machined and sheetmetal parts, complex electromechanical assemblies, wiring harness, weldments, and test equipment, including complete vehicle assembly and test.
- Developed components and engineered systems of battery packs, power electronics modules, electric motors, cast parts, powertrain components, compressed gas systems, cooling systems and wiring harness.
- Program managed all vehicle level activity including supply chain management, scheduling, labor allocation, test and validation, customer interface and budgets.
- Provided after sales support for all vehicle and mechanical component sales.
- Collaborated on proposal and grant writing, market positioning and strategic alliances.
Director, Systems Engineering
VIA Motors Inc.
07.2012 - 09.2013
- Lead engineer for systems including all LV/HV wiring harnesses, thermal systems, driver interface (instrument cluster and controls), exhaust, powertrain, power steering, A/C, and mounting structures.
- Developed specifications and DVP&R for the high voltage battery pack.
- Managed contract engineering and fabrication services. Oversaw CAE and FEA analysis.
- Oversaw the FMVSS and regulatory compliance effort with outside vendors.
- Developed vehicle level and subsystem FMEAs.
Director, Advanced Integration and Program Management
Enova Systems Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2012
- Built the Program Management department responsible for core mechanical product development, integration, and launch.
- Provided after-sales support and service across Europe, Asia, and the U.S.
- Led the collaborative commercial efforts including resource management, drafting warranty agreements, developing supply chains, preparing program and departmental budgets and schedules, generating NRE/product quotations, and resolving related issues.
- Managed technical tasks including systems and component engineering, integration, compliance engineering, diagnostics, and failure analysis.
- Managed production process development and implementation. Conducted incoming inspection and quality control plans for new and non-standard parts. Developed production test equipment, validation, and training materials.
Mechanical Lab Supervisor
Systronix Corp.
01.1995 - 01.1998
- Managed a small team responsible for integrating drive components into various prototype vehicles.
- Estimated and tracked budgets, labor hours and inventory.
- Designed and generated drawings of components including battery containment systems, brackets, various machine parts, and castings.
- Setup test equipment and procedures ran tests and reported results.
- Purchased, maintained, and regulated safety of all shop and machining equipment.
Service Manager
U.S. Electricar Inc.
01.1993 - 01.1995
- Oversaw service operations for more than 350 electric vehicles in North America. Addressed and documented customer complaints. Conducted technician training in troubleshooting and repair processes. Coordinated shipment of replacement parts and assigned higher-level technicians to complex tasks.
Technician
Solar Electric Engineering
01.1990 - 01.1992
- Fabricated, tested and installed electrical and mechanical components on electric vehicles.
Education
AA Degree - Mechanical Engineering
Santa Rosa Junior College
01.1990
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01.1991
Skills
- Leadership and Collaboration
- Talent Development
- Project Management
- Problem Solving
- Communication
- SolidWorks (Intermediate)
- Rhinoceros (Advanced)
- Microsoft D365 (Intermediate)
- Microsoft Project (Advanced)
- Microsoft Office Suite (Advanced)
- CAD Design (Expert)
- Product Development (Expert)
- Process Engineering (Advanced)
- Quality Control (Intermediate)
Timeline
Director, Eyewear Development and Production
Chrome Hearts, LLC
04.2015 - Current
Manager, Mechanical Engineering
US Hybrid
09.2014 - 04.2015
Director, Systems Engineering
VIA Motors Inc.
07.2012 - 09.2013
Director, Advanced Integration and Program Management
Enova Systems Inc.
01.2006 - 01.2012
Mechanical Lab Supervisor
Systronix Corp.
01.1995 - 01.1998
Service Manager
U.S. Electricar Inc.
01.1993 - 01.1995
Technician
Solar Electric Engineering
01.1990 - 01.1992
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AA Degree - Mechanical Engineering
Santa Rosa Junior College
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