Amanda Deng

Manufacturing Engineering Manager (03/2023-current)

Leading a team of owner in process, tooling, manufacturability feedback to design and work instructions for improved safety, quality, efficiency and reduction in cost.

- Work Instruction Modernization: Lead the implementation and validation of the electronic work instruction system in Space Suit Assembly Legacy and Future programs

• Mass conversion of over 300 work instructions and ensure accuracy of converted steps
• Create guide and train both the procedure reviewers and about 100 end users
• Re-define all processes to be compatible with the electronic work instruction system and document them in SOP
• Complete and excel work scope of 7500 hrs with an understaffed team.
• Influence a more efficient configuration management review process

- Defect Reduction: continuously reduce defects in spacesuit production

• Improve manufacturing process, tooling, equipment and facility for both sewing and heal sealing.
• Create Standard Rework Specification which reduced NC writeups by 30%
• Root cause analysis and CAPA implementation
• Production support to address emergent issues that hinders of meeting OTIF goals

- Continuous Improvement:

• Develop manufacturing technology such as automation of bladder manufacturing
• Implement cost reduction projects by rearranging work flow

Senior Manufacturing Engineer (12/2022-03/2023)

- Lead the restart of disposable in-flight drink bag (DIDB) to reduce defects and document critical parameters from legacy setup.

• - Establish a cross-functional DIDB team for tooling design, machine set-up and manufacturing flow improvement.
• Validations: in process, machine and material changes

- Engineering Change: propose changes in Change Control Board (CCB) and lead Product Development Team (PDT) in documenting DIDB samples boards as inspection criteria.

- Training: demonstrate Jira to cross-functional team for improved task tracking efficiency.

- Root Cause analysis: lead failure investigation and CA generation for glove bladder and LCVG subassembly quality issues.

Launch Operation Engineering Manager (01/2022-12/2022): Built a team of ten multi-disciplined engineers to support the integration, inspection, and refurbishment of New Shepard reusable vehicles. Responsible for 17 space flights which enabled 31 private astronauts.

• Provided engineering supervision over structural, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, electrical, propulsion, ECLSS and crew electronics subsystems on both Crew Capsule (CC) and Propulsion Module (PM) to ensure successful functional checkout towards launch.
• Led vehicle upgrade and overhaul processes including bonding, welding, precision cleaning, drilling, and harness modification.
• Created training programs to rapidly on-board team of ten new engineers.
• Established processes to improve vehicle turnaround efficiency while maintaining human spaceflight pedigree and reliability.
• Defined vehicle inspection criteria and developed standard repair procedures.
• Consultant to Advanced Development and New Glenn program of lessons learned from New Shepard operation and maintenance.

Launch Ops engineer (02/2018-01/2022) The sole onsite support engineer in a fast-paced flight line maintenance environment as the liaison between TX and WA, to ensured as-built product is compliant to design with rapidly changing configurations.

• Led upgrade campaigns including CC in human spaceflight and payload configurations, and solid rocket motor acceptance test for those vehicles, which completed 20%- 30% of final CC vehicle configurations.
• Authorized over 400 work instructions, led their executions and documented lessons learned for improvement.
• Resolved over 500 discrepancies in all disciplines on CC and PM.
• Proposed and implemented over 100 design changes to improve manufacturability and maintainability.
• Participated in all major root cause analyses and implemented corrective actions.

Crew Capsule Manufacturing Engineer (11/2015-02/2018): Led the CC production through integrated testing, shipment to TX Launch Site into the maiden flight.

• Sole ME to manage payload CC final production and shipment with over 200 subsystem installations.
• Led human-rated CC structural buildup (bonding and composite over-wrap) with improved efficiency and quality.
• Fabricated CC's largest composite structure at supplier that passed NDT inspection for first time.
• Established workshops to troubleshoot honeycomb structure de-bond issues and provided design engineers hands-on training.
• Conducted plasma bonding allowable and composite repair development.

Transitioned A5 model from R&D to FAA mass production certification. Responsible for structural bonding and paint, which occupied first 30-40% of workflow.

• Proposed alternative post-cure oven concept to improve build efficiencies by 50% for meeting high-rate demand.

Dream Chaser Manufacturing Engineer (07/2014-02/2015)

• Owned wing installation tooling design and flight control systems installations with limited resources.
• Participated Dream Chaser Engineering Test Article wing repair.
• Executed Dream Chaser Orbital Test Vehicle tire qualification proof test.

Hybrid Engine Manufacturing Engineer (04/2013-07/2014)

• Formulated processes to build first articles of ablative composite components that passed over 20 engine hot fires.
• Commissioned composite cutting table which improved efficiency by factor of 7 for both SpaceShipTwo and Dream Chaser programs.
• Designed composite ply patterns with Optitex for best fitment and nested to maximize material usage.
• Executed fuel casting processes and final assembly for 5 Dream Chaser test engines.
• Led fabrication of ablative nozzle prototype with initial success during internal research project.

Owned manufacturing processes in 25+ ablative composite parts production lines for both commercial space/military programs with AS9100 quality standard

Captured legacy design and developed bonding allowables.

The sole flight test engineer for F-16 Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing System (JHMCS). DoD Secret clearance.

• Composed test plan, and flight cards, analyzed flight test data for test report composition to USAF flight test center.
• Mission support as Certified as control room personnel and perform JHMCS calibration and maintenance.

Four rotations of full-time internship (total of 15 months)

• Material and Processes (Spring/Summer 06): Researched Carbon Nanotube reinforced composite material.
• Sustaining Engineering (Summer 08): Troubleshot failures in field on BD700 and ER145.
• Project Engineering (Fall 08): Participated in continuous improvement cost reduction projects on A340-500/600, 777, and 747-8.
• Operation (Summer 09): Developed Ceramic Matrix Composites (CMC) for high-temperature applications.