Aaron Thomas Smith
Tampa,USA
Summary
Highly experienced and results-oriented technical professional with over 20 years of experience in the automotive industry, specializing in diagnostics, training, and technical support for luxury vehicle brands, including RIVIAN, TESLA and BMW/MINI. Proven ability to troubleshoot complex technical issues, provide exceptional customer service, and contribute to product improvements.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Regional Manager, Diagnostic Specialists - Southeast
Rivian
Tampa, FL
06.2023 - Current
- Built and led a team of 14 Diagnostic Specialists across the Southeast/Mid-Atlantic region, overseeing their onboarding and ongoing management
- Successfully executed repair planning handoff initiative with the Field Service teams covering the region
- Integrated Fleet team into the region (combining both B2C and B2B focused DS team members) and transitioning to a one DS strategy
- Currently managing both the Trending issues and the Retrospectives DS projects in JIRA
- Currently supporting federally mandated TREAD act reporting requiring review of field events and organizing and submitting on a quarterly basis
Staff Diagnostic Specialist
Rivian
Tampa, FL
11.2022 - 06.2023
- Mentored and trained several new Diagnostic Specialists on High Voltage and Infotainment systems helping them achieve proficiency in those systems
- Developed training material and resources for the infotainment system to improve diagnostic response time and accuracy among the broader team
Staff Field Technical Specialist
Tesla
Tampa, FL
07.2021 - 10.2022
- Diagnostic support, training, and technical support to field technicians, resulting in an increased level of understanding and diagnostic efficiency throughout the region
- Co-developed Mastery courses for various subsystems to further develop our field technician’s proficiency level
- Conducted examinations of prospective technicians within the mastery program
- Several of those technicians have gone on to become top resources in their region
- Responded to Thermal events and sensitive incidents to support the company’s needs
- Supported legal counsel in lemon law hearings, arbitration hearings and wrongful death/injury cases
- Supported Early product development, crash testing and mileage accumulation/durability studies
- Performed internal pack repairs on Tesla Roadsters and managed bespoke tooling around the country required to perform those repairs.
Field Technical Specialist
Tesla Motors
Tampa, FL
05.2014 - 07.2021
- Supported Early product development, crash testing and mileage accumulation studies
- Supported various special projects around the world including a drive unit campaign in Norway and Model 3 launch in Europe.
- Developed Toolbox content including authoring a significant number of Toolbox articles including some that had the highest numbers of usage by the field
- Developed one of the original discharge tools in use by Tesla using off the shelf components
- Developed a battery discharging procedure for the Tesla Roadsters to save the company tens of thousands of dollars shipping around a roadster rolling chassis
Vehicle Technician
Tesla
Tampa, FL
07.2012 - 05.2014
- Performed diagnostics, repairs, and maintenance on an average of 30 Tesla vehicles per week, specializing in high-voltage battery systems
- Tested and provided feedback on the toolbox article system during its creation
- Diagnosed and repaired Tesla Roadsters at the Menlo park location in Palo Alto, CA
- Supported multiple service locations from a diagnostic perspective.
- Performed pre-diagnosis of vehicles using detailed log review.
BMW/MINI Master Technician
Sandy Sansing BMW/MINI
Pensacola, Area
07.2005 - 07.2012
- Diagnosed and repaired BMW/MINI vehicles using certified training methods and procedures, achieving Master Technician status during my tenure there
- Developed tool organization and accountability process within the service center to ensure quicker/more accurate repairs
- Expanded the Service Center’s capabilities by working on other brands, such as Audi, Maserati, and Lamborghini vehicles.
Education
Business/Managerial Economics -
Pensacola State College
Pensacola, FL01.2001
High School Diploma - General Studies
Booker T. Washington High School
Pensacola, FL08.1999
Factory training programs - Various Subsystems
Tesla
Various Subsystems, Mastery level achieved
BMW/MINI
Skills
- Collaboration
- Cross-functional
- Mentor/Mentorship/Coaching
- Personnel development
- Professional evaluation
- Delegation
- Serviceability
- Service Quality
- High-Voltage Systems Expertise
- Circuit Wiring Expertise
- Powertrain Analysis
- PCAN
- Python
- Linux
- CATIA
- Vector tools
- Pico scope
- Confluence
- Jira
- Tableau
- Root Cause Analysis
- Effective Feedback Techniques
- Product Development
- Legal Support
- Crashworthiness
- Homologation
- Hazardous Materials Training
- Certified Forklift Operator
Certification
Section 609 EPA Certification, Mobile Air Conditioning Society Inc.
High Voltage Certification
BMW/MINI Master Certification
Timeline
Regional Manager, Diagnostic Specialists - Southeast
Rivian
06.2023 - Current
Staff Diagnostic Specialist
Rivian
11.2022 - 06.2023
Staff Field Technical Specialist
Tesla
07.2021 - 10.2022
Field Technical Specialist
Tesla Motors
05.2014 - 07.2021
Vehicle Technician
Tesla
07.2012 - 05.2014
BMW/MINI Master Technician
Sandy Sansing BMW/MINI
07.2005 - 07.2012
Business/Managerial Economics -
Pensacola State College
High School Diploma - General Studies
Booker T. Washington High School
Factory training programs - Various Subsystems
Tesla
Various Subsystems, Mastery level achieved
BMW/MINI
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