Chad Ebling
Etowah,NC
Summary
Results-driven Senior Principal Opto-Mechanical Engineer with 16 years of experience in aerospace and opto-mechanical technologies. Proven track record of leading cross-functional teams to deliver complex products on time and within budget. Adept at leveraging engineering expertise to drive innovative mechanical solutions to enhance performance and customer satisfaction. Expert in GD&T analysis, materials selection, lens mounting, and precision component integration for airborne and spaceborne applications. Strong project management skills, including product lifecycle management and risk assessment. Recognized for mentoring team members, fostering technical excellence, and collaborating seamlessly across disciplines.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer – Electro-Optical Technologies
Northrop Grumman Corporation
07.2015 - Current
- Lead mechanical engineering teams to successfully deliver production and prototype level intricate aerospace opto-mechanical systems containing multiple optical paths with precision linear and angular actuated mechanisms
- Fostered cross-functional collaboration with engineers across disciplines to consistently meet project requirements and address complex design challenges
- Led end-to-end design and development of multiple lens systems and detector assemblies, incorporating thermal and vibration considerations for robust application-specific designs while maintaining necessary precision
- Apply thorough GD&T analysis for precise alignment of high-precision components, ensuring optimal optical performance in challenging environments
- Detail modeling and simulations of components and assemblies using Siemens NX
- Mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of technical excellence and collaboration, while nurturing their growth in precision aerospace and optical design
- Conduct thorough risk assessments and trade studies, proactively identifying potential roadblocks and implementing mitigation strategies, offering solutions for both weight reduction and efficiency improvements
- Extensive collaboration with manufacturing suppliers, ensuring seamless communication and successful partnerships.
- Conceived and implemented FEM-driven design iterations that yielded a 30% reduction in overall system weight, while maintaining structural integrity and adherence to safety requirements in high-stress scenarios
- Regularly reviewed designs with manufacturing teams, ensuring smooth build processes and addressing any challenges promptly
- Prepare and present detailed project documentation, including project plans, progress reports, and technical specifications, to senior management, ensuring transparency and facilitating informed decision-making
- Proficiently create intricate and accurate engineering drawings for feeder parts and assemblies, meticulously adhering to ASME Y14.100-2013 standards
Project Engineer – NASA Parachute Airdrop Testing, JETS Contract
Jacobs Engineering Group
04.2021 - 11.2021
- Managed parachute testing procedures, coordinating planning, scheduling, and resources to meet project milestones with multi-disciplinary teams
- Assembled and led construction of test articles, demonstrating mechanical engineering expertise and meticulous attention to detail, yielding high-quality prototypes for rigorous testing
- Key contributor in post-test data retrieval and inspection: Analyzed results to assess parachute performance, identify improvements, and offer insights for future design iterations
- Applied strong problem-solving and adaptability in test operations, addressing challenges to maintain timelines and successfully completing parachute testing for NASA projects
Aircraft Recovery Systems Engineer
Cirrus Aircraft
02.2012 - 07.2015
- Led a groundbreaking project at Cirrus Aircraft to conceive, develop, test, and successfully integrate a pioneering full aircraft recovery parachute and system for a cutting-edge general aviation jet, marking a revolutionary advancement in aviation safety
- Orchestrated the full-scale project lifecycle, overseeing a interdisciplinary team through testing phases, coordinating logistics, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring precise rigging for parachute deployment
- Cross-functionally designed and implemented data acquisition systems with electrical engineers for accurate and comprehensive testing data
- Revamped data analysis program for efficient retrieval of crucial data, reducing lag by several days, enabling swift decision-making, and tailoring test parameters for rapid turnaround
- Spearheaded data analysis techniques using SAE J211 and CFC filters to extract actionable insights from acquired data, steering the project's trajectory by making informed decisions that resulted in enhanced system performance and reliability
- Championed an innovative critical path adjustment, expediting the certification process of the recovery system and enabling the team to provide valuable support to lagging project areas, thereby accelerating overall project progress
- Played an instrumental role in Cirrus Aircraft being honored with the prestigious Collier Trophy in 2017, recognizing the exceptional contribution of the novel general aviation jet recovery system to the advancement of aviation technology and safety.
Aeronautical Engineer/Project Manager
Performance Designs Inc.
05.2007 - 12.2011
- Responsible for the design, research, and development of new parafoils/systems with increasingly advanced aerodynamics
- Coordinated testing and data retrieval for new projects through sustaining support for production
- Tested new materials for application in sport parachute use
- Ensured the requirements of projects met the flowed-down schedule and budget.
Education
MS Applied Physics -
Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD01.2020
BS Aerospace Engineering -
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
Daytona Beach, FL01.2007
1-year foreign language training through engineering coursework -
École D’Ingeniéurs
Sceaux, France01.2006
Skills
- roject leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and innovative problem solving
- Adept at complex, detailed, and precision GD&T using ASME Y145-2009
- Siemens NX and Teamcenter – 8 years-experience; actively using
- ProE, CREO, AutoCAD, SolidWorks, CATIA, MATLAB, Simulink, VBA, Java, C
- 16 years-experience in the field of Engineering, design, leadership, and teamwork
- Excellent written and oral communication skills
Languages
French
Spanish
Italian
Timeline
Project Engineer – NASA Parachute Airdrop Testing, JETS Contract
Jacobs Engineering Group
04.2021 - 11.2021
Senior Principal Mechanical Engineer – Electro-Optical Technologies
Northrop Grumman Corporation
07.2015 - Current
Aircraft Recovery Systems Engineer
Cirrus Aircraft
02.2012 - 07.2015
Aeronautical Engineer/Project Manager
Performance Designs Inc.
05.2007 - 12.2011
MS Applied Physics -
Johns Hopkins University
BS Aerospace Engineering -
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University
1-year foreign language training through engineering coursework -
École D’Ingeniéurs
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