James E Sikes
Solution Engineering Specialist
Doha
Summary
Professional with over 20 years of project management experience across government contracting, electrical engineering consultancy, and military service in the aviation and automotive fields.
Comprehensive understanding of business operations and project management, utilizing Six Sigma and Lean mindset. A leadership style that adapts to the goals of the organization and the level of employee engagement.
Stakeholders focus on decision-making on timelines, benchmarks, and budget requirements. Expertise in improving team performance while securing customer loyalty and forging valuable relationships with internal and external partners.
Overview
2025
2025
years of professional experience
1998
1998
years of post-secondary education
6
6
Certifications
Work History
Installation Access Supervisor/Communication Eng Sr (Secret Clearance)
Camp AS Sayliyah
09.2022 - Current
- Managed operations and projects for Satellite Communications Conductivity, LMRS, and WAVES Mass Notification Systems across a team of 6 technicians and engineers, achieving a 100% adherence to project deadlines.
- Supervised and trained a team of technicians and engineers, leading quarterly training sessions that improved team proficiency with current equipment by 10%, while maintaining 95%+ team compliance with safety and operational protocols.
- Identified and recommended system enhancements and upgrades to meet the needs of the DOD.
- Reviewed and approved hiring of new personnel, leading to the successful onboarding over a 2-year period, enhancing division capabilities.
- Acted as the primary subject matter expert, mentoring a team of 6 Communication Engineers and Technicians, and reducing troubleshooting time by 10% through skills development and expert guidance.
- Managed building operations and environmental health and safety (EHS) compliance, maintaining a 100% compliance rate with internal and external regulations.
- Held and maintained high-level security clearance, ensuring compliance with all security protocols, and achieving a 100% security audit pass rate.
- Led daily customer service functions, document verification, and office administration for an average of 30+ personnel daily, ensuring 99% accuracy in document handling and data entry.
- Provided technical and procedural guidance to visitors, contractors, and permanent staff, reducing entry processing time by 50% and enhancing overall customer satisfaction.
- Led a team of 7 Pass and ID Clerks to ensure 100% compliance with DoS/USG policies and achieving a 98% on-time completion rate for daily tasks.
- Served as the Primary Point of Contact (POC) for DoS/USG IA communications, resolving 95% of inquiries within 24 hours and ensuring efficient information flow between stakeholders.
- Project lead for a $3.7 million, 4-month Ares Gateway Biometrics Identification System. Developed SOW to represent the needs of the Department of State (DOS) requirements and reaching 100% compliance.
- Oversaw a $500,000, 2-month IAO/Vetting building renovation project, developing SOW, adhering to DOS requirements, completing the project 10% under budget, and meeting the short execution timeline of 60 days to completion.
Service Engineer II
AVL
11.2019 - 07.2021
- Travel across North America to prominent car manufacturers: Tesla, Mercedes, Toyota, GM, Ford, Honda, and Volkswagen as an onsite company representative.
- Work with PM, engineering, SMEs, internationally, and domestically.
- Six hundred hours of Project Site Engineer Commissioning and Installation on multiple projects. For example, schematics on electrical/mechanical drawings, red lines, electrical testing, AC, DC, Siemens PLC, MS Office.
- Understanding of system logic DCS, ESD, SCADA, and FGS.
- Working knowledge of pressure, flow, and temperature transmitters, and tachometers.
- Test onsite equipment and system installation, configuration, maintenance, and calibration to AVL specification.
- Hydraulics, pneumatics, Dyno, and Battery Testing Equipment.
- Providing advice to clients by using upselling techniques and upgrading to more advanced systems.
- Perform in-house repair, post-production operation tests of new equipment, and provide Hotline support using Helpdesk.
- Possess the ability to independently describe, categorize, analyze, and solve service requests in a user-friendly manner.
- Always provide a professional and timely completion of service and commissioning calibration certificates, and service reports.
- Provide feedback and improvement suggestions on troubleshooting guides, and seek continuous improvement methods to increase operating equipment effectiveness.
- Contributed to customer satisfaction by delivering the tasks based on customer expectations and identifying new sales opportunities.
- Working with project managers on all tasks.
- Completed all applicable safety training, e.g., Lockout Tagout, Heights/Overhead work.
- Mentor and teach other service engineers on site and through service communication network.
- Engaged in first-level support for customers requiring routine support and troubleshooting.
Field Technician III
Northrop Grumman
05.2017 - 11.2019
- Seven hundred hours as a Project Engineer on aircraft depot maintenance and system upgrades.
- Installed, operated, maintained, and modified radar/communication equipment aboard J-STARS, including satellite, UHF, VHF, HF, and Data links.
- Performed a variety of maintenance and technical support on products.
- Supervised depot-level repairs, reported in work, future, and delays for aircraft scheduled inspections.
- Illustrated expertise knowledge in practical application and provided efficient and effective solutions on site.
- Troubleshoots remotely and diagnoses malfunctions to eliminate problems in minimal time.
- Tests equipment, records data, and provides a professional report on findings, evaluating test results, and suggesting corrective actions.
- Provided onsite orientation training to the client's customer support personnel.
- Maintains effective customer communications and relations.
- Coordinates with all stakeholders, using negotiation skills to provide the optimal outcome for Northrop Grumman.
- SPC analyzes and evaluates products and related performance for feedback purposes to Northrop Grumman.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by providing efficient and timely technical support for various issues.
- Prepared and submitted reports to document work performed and provide progress updates to management.
Field Service Engineer
Prime One Contracting
07.2015 - 05.2017
- Worked on Pro Logic Controllers: Siemens, GE using multiple mediums; oscilloscope, meter, and function generators.
- Methods undertaken: Panel wiring, board level soldering.
- Understanding of DCS, ESD, SCADA, and FGS.
- Working knowledge of pressure, flow, and temperature transmitters and tachometers.
- Working with engineering on projects to evaluate test results and resolutions.
- Interpret and follow Bill of Materials, electrical, hydraulic, and pneumatic prints.
- Calibration of VFD A/C and D/C motor drive.
- Preventive Maintenance and troubleshooting.
- Traveled across North America to customers.
E-Com Rep, Sales, Customer Service, and Order entry
Holland Bar Stool Company
05.2014 - 06.2015
- Maintained inventory and availability of product line on E-commerce vendor sites.
- Reviews orders to ensure accuracy and assists customers with sales.
- Created new company policies, streamlining daily and long-term operations.
- Work extensively with Excel spreadsheets, maintaining and creating product data sheets.
- Performs order entry by email, fax, and vendor sites.
- Reduced errors in orders by implementing thorough review processes prior to submission.
- Maintained a comprehensive understanding of product offerings to provide informed recommendations to customers when needed.
Technical Supervisor
Professional Grounds Services
01.2011 - 01.2014
- Supervised private and commercial grounds maintenance projects.
- Demonstrated excellent problem-solving abilities by quickly identifying root causes of technical issues and implementing appropriate solutions to mitigate future occurrences.
Service Manager
Jasmin’s Lounge
01.2009 - 01.2011
- Serving customers, opening and closing operations, and transaction management.
- Resolved customer complaints in professional and timely manner.
Hospitality Manager
TNP Entertainment
1 2006 - 1 2009
- Hiring of personnel, supply orders, opening and closing operations, and transaction management.
- Upheld brand reputation through strict adherence to corporate policies and guidelines relating to guest interactions and facility maintenance.
- Developed a loyal customer base by consistently exceeding expectations with personalized attention and care.
Supervisor/Instructor/Evaluator Communications System Tech (CST); SSgt (E-5)
United States Airforce
03.1996 - 01.2006
- Three thousand hours as a Communications System Technician on JSTARS airborne surveillance platform.
- Functioned as a duty Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) for a deployed squadron, with 228.8 combat hours, relaying critical information for commander action by monitoring and reporting on aircraft status.
- Awarded: NCO of the Quarter.
- Interpreted OPTASK LINK documents and integrated numerous communications changes smoothly into JSTARS operations, ensuring critical theater assets and the dissemination of radar data.
- Established SATCOM voice capability in JSTARS operations facilities – excellent improvement.
- Monitored and troubleshooted air pressure, altitude, and navigational equipment.
- Maintained publications and technical orders libraries.
- Certified first responder and Self Aid and Buddy care instructor, Classroom, and inflight trainer for 5 years.
- Supervised and rated multiple subordinates, up to sixty personnel at a time: 750 hours of flight instruction/evaluator.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
Education
Master of Business Administration -
University Aberdeen
01.2021 - 01.2022
Associate of Applied Science Degree - Electronic Technology
Baker College
Michigan 01.2012 - 01.2014
High School Diploma -
Whitmore/Prescott High School
Michigan06-1995
Skills
Leadership skills
Formulating & Cascading Strategy
Project Management skills
Financial modelling
Operational planning
Strong negotiator
Operations Management
Lean manufacturing knowledge
5S
6 Sigma
Training
Ongoing Personal Development
Staff Management
Process Improvement
Business Development
Certification
Six Sigma Foundation and Six Sigma White Belt, 01/2022
Timeline
Installation Access Supervisor/Communication Eng Sr (Secret Clearance)
Camp AS Sayliyah
09.2022 - Current
Master of Business Administration -
University Aberdeen
01.2021 - 01.2022
Service Engineer II
AVL
11.2019 - 07.2021
Field Technician III
Northrop Grumman
05.2017 - 11.2019
Field Service Engineer
Prime One Contracting
07.2015 - 05.2017
E-Com Rep, Sales, Customer Service, and Order entry
Holland Bar Stool Company
05.2014 - 06.2015
Associate of Applied Science Degree - Electronic Technology
Baker College
01.2012 - 01.2014
Technical Supervisor
Professional Grounds Services
01.2011 - 01.2014
Service Manager
Jasmin’s Lounge
01.2009 - 01.2011
Supervisor/Instructor/Evaluator Communications System Tech (CST); SSgt (E-5)
United States Airforce
03.1996 - 01.2006
Hospitality Manager
TNP Entertainment
1 2006 - 1 2009
High School Diploma -
Whitmore/Prescott High School
Similar Profiles
ROCHELLE CORPUS LABRADORROCHELLE CORPUS LABRADOR
Service Desk Technician at Camp AS SayliyahService Desk Technician at Camp AS Sayliyah
Scott GillScott Gill
Operations Manager at Camp As Sayliyah Qatar - V2XOperations Manager at Camp As Sayliyah Qatar - V2X
William HintonWilliam Hinton
Camp Counselor at Camp Ho Mita Koda/Camp Wonder/FFA Camp MuskingumCamp Counselor at Camp Ho Mita Koda/Camp Wonder/FFA Camp Muskingum
MOSES NJOGUMOSES NJOGU
SECURITY GUARD at ELITE SECURITY SERVICES-Hospitality And EventsSECURITY GUARD at ELITE SECURITY SERVICES-Hospitality And Events
RAFI MOHIUDDINRAFI MOHIUDDIN
Facilities Manager at B Global InternationalFacilities Manager at B Global International