Charles Swanson

• Directed global engineering operations supporting electronics manufacturing, PCB assembly, electromechanical integration, precision machining, and complex system-level assemblies across multiple manufacturing sites.
• Led multidisciplinary engineering teams including Manufacturing Engineering, Process Engineering, Quality Engineering, Test Engineering, NPI, Automation, and Metrology functions.
• Served as executive engineering liaison for customers in Industrial Automation, Medical Devices, Aerospace & Defense, and Semiconductor Capital Equipment markets.
• Established engineering strategies, technology roadmaps, and capital investment plans that directly supported organizational growth objectives and met customer requirements.
• Managed engineering resources across multiple facilities, optimizing workload balancing, technical expertise deployment, and project execution efficiency.
• Led New Product Introduction (NPI) programs from concept through production launch, ensuring manufacturability, quality, schedule adherence, and profitability objectives were achieved.
• Developed Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Test (DFT) methodologies to improve product quality, reduce cycle times, and lower manufacturing costs.
• Directed advanced manufacturing initiatives including automation, robotics, Industry 4.0 connectivity, machine monitoring, process controls, and digital manufacturing transformation.
• Implemented global engineering standards, best practices, and process controls to enhance consistency, scalability, and operational performance across manufacturing sites.
• Collaborated with Sales, Program Management, Supply Chain, and Operations teams to support business development efforts, technical proposals, customer audits, and strategic account growth.
• Led technical due diligence, risk assessments, and manufacturing readiness reviews for high-reliability products supporting mission-critical applications.
• Championed continuous improvement initiatives through Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping, and statistical process control methodologies to drive measurable enhancements.
• Drove technology adoption initiatives including advanced metrology, automated inspection, data analytics, MES integration, and digital quality systems.
• Supported compliance with ISO 9001, AS9100, ISO 13485, IPC standards, customer-specific requirements, and regulatory expectations.

Capital Equipment & Technology Deployment

Developed Technology Roadmap and Managed capital investments exceeding $15M to expand manufacturing capability and capacity.

Directed evaluation, justification, and deployment of advanced manufacturing technologies including:

Automated Optical Inspection (AOI)

Ultra Precision Underfill Jetting Dispense Equipment

Precision Conformal Coating Equipment

3D X-Ray Inspection

Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM)

Vision Measurement Systems

Robotic Automation Cells

Environmental and Reliability Test Systems

· Served as primary technical and commercial interface for OEM customers in Industrial Equipment, Medical Device, Aerospace & Defense, and Semiconductor Capital Equipment markets.

· Developed and executed strategic account growth plans, identifying new business opportunities and expanding existing customer relationships.

· Led technical sales efforts for complex manufacturing programs including PCB assemblies, electromechanical systems, precision machined components, box-build integration, and full system assemblies.

· Collaborated with customers during product development and sourcing phases to provide Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and cost optimization recommendations.

· Coordinated cross-functional proposal development involving Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, Quality, and Program Management teams.

· Managed the complete RFQ process including technical review, risk assessment, cost modeling, pricing strategy, and contract negotiations.

· Evaluated customer drawings, specifications, BOMs, Gerber files, assembly documentation, and quality requirements to develop accurate manufacturing solutions.

· Presented manufacturing capabilities, technology roadmaps, and value propositions to executive leadership, engineering teams, and procurement organizations.

· Supported customer site visits, facility audits, manufacturing reviews, and technical presentations throughout the sales cycle.

· Developed manufacturing cost models for electronics assemblies, precision machined components, and integrated systems to improve quote accuracy and profitability.

· Identified opportunities for vertical integration, process optimization, and value-added services that increased customer retention and revenue growth.

· Worked closely with NPI, Manufacturing Engineering, and Operations teams to ensure successful transition from quotation through production launch.

· Led contract reviews and customer requirement assessments for high-reliability and regulated industries.

· Supported strategic sourcing initiatives by leveraging global supply chain resources to improve competitiveness and reduce lead times.

· Maintained pipeline forecasts, opportunity tracking, and revenue projections while supporting long-term business planning initiatives.

Executive Level Achievement Examples

Revenue Growth

Supported successful capture of new business opportunities valued at over $25M annually across Aerospace, Semiconductor, Medical, and Industrial markets.

Customer Development

Developed long-term relationships with engineering, sourcing, quality, operations, and executive stakeholders at leading OEM organizations.

Successfully supported supplier qualification and approved vendor status with major Aerospace, Defense, Medical, and Semiconductor customers.

Led customer engagement efforts resulting in multi-year manufacturing agreements and preferred supplier designations.

Technical Sales Leadership

Delivered technical manufacturing solutions for products ranging from prototype development through full-rate production.

Conducted manufacturability assessments and value engineering reviews that reduced customer costs by 7% while improving product quality and delivery performance.

Supported customer design reviews and engineering workshops to align product requirements with manufacturing capabilities.

• Supported New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by conducting risk assessments, validation testing, control plan development, and process qualification reviews. As Well as providing key insights into manufacturability during new product design cycles utilizing DFM/DFA (DFx) Principles
• Collaborated a great dealing closely with Product Design Engineering teams throughout the product development lifecycle to ensure seamless transition from concept to production. Expertise in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), and Design for Testability (DFT) methodologies, identifying and mitigating manufacturing risks early in the design phase to reduce cost, improve quality, and accelerate time-to-market. Extensive experience supporting the development of complex electronic assemblies, PCBAs, electromechanical systems, and precision machined components across Aerospace & Defense, Medical Device, Industrial Equipment, and Semiconductor Capital Equipment industries. Skilled in evaluating PCB layout designs, component selection, assembly processes, test strategies, and mechanical integration to ensure compatibility
• Led product quality initiatives for industrial automation and control products throughout the product lifecycle, from new product introduction (NPI) through sustaining production.
• Utilized structured problem-solving methodologies including 8D, 5-Why, Fishbone Analysis, DMAIC and Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.
• Analyzed field returns, warranty claims, and customer complaints to drive product reliability improvements and reduce recurring quality issues.
• Partnered with design engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and supplier quality teams to resolve product nonconformances and improve overall product performance.
• Developed and monitored key quality metrics including First Pass Yield (FPY), Defects Per Million (DPMO), Cost of Poor Quality (COPQ), and customer quality performance indicators.
• Led corrective and preventive action (CAPA) programs, ensuring timely closure and verification of effectiveness.
• Conducted statistical analysis using SPC, Minitab, and data visualization tools to identify trends, reduce variation, and improve process capability.
• Managed containment activities and coordinated cross-functional response teams to minimize customer impact during quality incidents.
• Performed reliability and failure analysis on electronic assemblies, electromechanical products, and control systems to improve product robustness.
• Collaborated with suppliers to address component quality issues, drive corrective actions, and improve incoming material quality.
• Supported compliance with ISO 9001, Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and corporate quality management system requirements.
• Facilitated Design Reviews, PFMEA reviews, and production readiness assessments to proactively identify and mitigate quality risks.
• Reduced defect rates through continuous improvement initiatives resulting in measurable improvements in customer satisfaction and manufacturing efficiency.

Review circuit board designs for testability requirements Support manufacturing with failure analysis.

tester debugging, reduction of intermittent failures and downtime of test equipment Prepare

recommendations for testing and documentation of procedures to be used from the product design

phase through to initial production Generate reports and analysis of test data, prepare documentation

and recommendations Review test equipment designs, data and RMA issues with customers regularly

Design, and direct engineering and technical personnel in fabrication of testing and test control

apparatus and equipment Direct and coordinate engineering activities concerned with development,

procurement, installation, and calibration of instruments, equipment, and control devices required to

test, record, and reduce test data Determine conditions under which tests are to be conducted and

sequences and phases of test operations Direct and exercise control over operational, functional, and

performance phases of tests Perform moderately complex assignments of the engineering test

function for standard and/or custom devices Analyze and interpret test data and prepare technical

reports for use by test engineering and management personnel Develop or use computer software

and hardware to conduct tests on machinery and equipment Perform semi-routine technique

development and maintenance, subject to established Manufacturing standards, including ITAR, EAR,

AS9100, AS9102, ISO 9001, ISO 14001. Develop standards and provide training with new procedures

to production testing staff.

• Track the health of the test equipment against golden and NIST-traceable standards

• Troubleshoot electrical, mechanical, software, and optical systems

• Support production and react as deviations arise

• Assist determining root cause of product yield loss

• Own the integrity and quality of information stored in the data warehouse. Work with data producers

to close data gaps in a timely manner.

• Led QA and Mfg. Engineers in troubleshooting data and testing issues.

• Analyze test results and submit recommendations to customers for system improvement.

• Create & maintain automation and queries as needed to support Manufacturing Facilities. Primary

MS-SQL (SSIS w/ some python & MATLAB), but will interact with our MES system (Oracle - Application

Express). Use Ignite DBA for performance analysis.

• Design and maintain test databases within the company for R&D and production testing.

Focused on the design, operation, control, optimization and ongoing manufacturing efficiency of

electrical, mechanical, chemical, and physical manufacturing processes, executing the application of

systematic computer-based methods to process engineering.

Translating the needs of the customer from Pneumatic, Electrical, and Mechanical Schematics and

any other Technical Drawings/Documentation, or Specifications into Components, Sub-Assemblies

and Final Assemblies in accordance with all ITAR, EAR, AS9100, AS9102, ISO 9001, ISO 14001

requirements, as well as industry standard visual inspection criteria as put forth by IPC-610, IPC-620,

and J-STD-001

The application of systematic computer-based methods to process engineering Solder Paste

Printing/Dispensing, Adhesive Dispensing, SMT (Pick and Place), Reflow Soldering, AOI (Automated

Optical Inspection, THT Component Insertion, Wave/Selective Soldering, Aqueous Cleaning, R.O.S.E

Testing (Resistance Of Solvent Extract) Cleanliness Testing, In-Circuit Test, Conformal Coating.

Potting, Functional Test. Large Scale Electro-mechanical Box Build Assembly, High Voltage Testing

Introduction and/or transfer of products to manufacturing, including procuring and implementing

tooling and production equipment and initiating of routings, bills of material, manufacturing work

instructions, and any other required documentation.

Resolve problems in product performance, quality, reliability, or environmental impact by implementing

design changes or complete product redesign in manufacturing when necessary. Lead the

development and implementation of cost reduction programs and achieving department and plant

targets.

Use factory automation software to monitor and maintain production. Obtain, organize, and analyze

data in order to prepare charts and reports. Define and lead projects to improve process, safety.

quality, delivery and productivity performance. Respond to manufacturing problems by investigating

and resolving such problems to assure a continuing flow of production.

Design and provide design input and execution support for the development and deployment of

Manufacturing Execution Systems and information management systems in the plant.

Participate in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Assembly (DFA), Process Failure Mode

Effects Analysis (PFMEA) analyses for their specific manufacturing technology, process, and

methodology. Collaborate with Design and New Product Introduction engineers to achieve optimum

product design for manufacturability.

Responsible to maintain and support manufacturing processes, procedures and shop floor personnel.

This includes the ability to document processes and changes, troubleshoot difficulties and resolve

issues, facilitate team problem solving and train personnel.

Prepare floor layouts, implement use of new equipment, and perform process qualifications and new

equipment (IQ OQ PQ) as required.

Lead the development and implementation of cost reduction programs and achieve department and

plant targets. Provide design input and execution support for the development and deployment of

Manufacturing Execution Systems and information management systems in the plant.

Loss reduction & continuous improvement in coating line productivity & product quality through the

use of problem solving, Six Sigma & project management skills. Continually improve & optimize

current products through variation reduction.

Other beneficial software skills include CAD, report generation, process mapping, project

management, and databases creation and maintenance.