Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Erik Zillner

Seattle

Summary

Passionate manufacturing engineer with a proven track record for helping teams deliver big results. No matter the industry or context, I enjoy leveraging my 5+ years of experience, value-oriented mindset, and knack for collaborative team building to identify opportunities for improvement then pursuing them relentlessly until the job is done.

Overview

5
5
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Lead Mfg Engineer III - BE-3U Engine Valves

Blue Origin
03.2025 - Current
  • Matured multiple products from concept/early development to production, enabling a 6X rate increase over the span of a few years.
  • Owner or significant contributor to $1M annualized cost savings through requirement elimination, optimization of assembly and testing procedures, data review automation, etc.
  • Contributed to the development of a team of 4 manufacturing engineers through consistent leadership and mentorship.
  • Key contributor in standing up a value stream for engine valves in a new facility from conception through activation.
  • Used CAD tools, 3D printing, and traditional machine shop equipment for the creation of assembly/test tooling and shop aides.

Manufacturing Engineer II - BE-3U Engine Valves

Blue Origin
02.2022 - 03.2025
  • Manufacturing ownership of 10 distinct in-house and supplier owned designs - cultivating experience with pneumatic, hydraulic, and electromechanically actuated valves in highly sensitive LOx and LH2 systems.
  • Drove process improvements, applied lean principles to reduce non-conformance rates & cycle times by as much as 50%, lead times by up to 80%.
  • Interpreted engineering drawings, translated design intent into clear and actionable touch labor instructions.
  • Provided DFM feedback on at least 100 component and tooling drawings to improve producibility and reliability of products.
  • Maintained strict documentation pedigree for hardware and assemblies.
  • Determine Root Cause of defects, defined and implemented preventative corrective actions.

Front Line Leader

International Paper
12.2021 - 02.2022
  • Supervised a crew of 20 personnel across mill areas - often with minimal support or oversight (night shift, holidays, etc).
  • Cross-functional communication with 2 other BUs, responded to production issues and maintained inventories.
  • Managed maintenance resources to respond to equipment issues, minimize process impact and downtime.
  • Maintain crew safety and environmental compliance by overseeing lockout tagout procedures, proper execution of shutdown/startup procedures.
  • Ensuring adequate staffing by handling call-outs, managing job assignments.

Process Engineer II

International Paper
05.2020 - 12.2021
  • Executed deliberate improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Six Sigma principles resulting in over $700K annualized savings.
  • Led & supported cross-functional project teams and across several mill process areas.
  • Used advanced analytics software and statistical analysis (Minitab, Braincube) to troubleshoot and centerline processes.
  • Managed a $250K budget allocated for a month-long repair project for all tile-lined vessels within the pulp mill.

Education

Chemical Engineering

The University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL
12-2019

Skills

  • Process Optimization
  • Hardware Development
  • Design for Manufacturing
  • Configuration Management
  • Root Cause Analysis
  • Strategic Leadership

Certification

Lean Six Sigma Yellow Belt, International Paper - 2021

Chemical Engineer Intern, Alabama Board of Licensure for Professional Engineers and Land Surveyors - 2020

Timeline

Lead Mfg Engineer III - BE-3U Engine Valves

Blue Origin
03.2025 - Current

Manufacturing Engineer II - BE-3U Engine Valves

Blue Origin
02.2022 - 03.2025

Front Line Leader

International Paper
12.2021 - 02.2022

Process Engineer II

International Paper
05.2020 - 12.2021

Chemical Engineering

The University of Alabama

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