Fred Villeneuve
Renton
Summary
Accomplished technical and people leader, with a proven track record at Blue Origin and Siemens, enhancing engine test cycle efficiency by up to 50% and leading multidisciplinary teams across significant aerospace projects. Expert in Systems Engineering and Agile Project Management, I excel in driving digital transformation and optimizing product lifecycle management, demonstrating exceptional engineering leadership and continuous improvement.
Overview
24
24
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Principal Systems Engineer
Blue Origin
Kent
12.2023 - 02.2025
- Partnered with engine programs to successfully reduce test cycle time by 20 to 50% in less than one year
- Managed portfolio of 40+ projects involving 200+ people, focused on new engine designs, engine test processes, digitalization, and new test facilities
- Provided technical guidance to logistics and project managers, responsible and test engineers, and test operations technicians to drive efficiency and cycle time reductions
- Delivered regular updates to executive leadership, providing insights on portfolio health and key performance indicators
- Recipient of EDO Vice President Award (Dec
- 2024)
Principal Systems Engineer
Blue Origin
Kent
06.2021 - 12.2023
- Acted as BE-7 Deputy to SEIT Integrated Produce Team Lead
- Led the formation of the systems analysis team for BE-7
- Led refurbishment of BE-7 refurb shop at AFRL
- Developed BE-7 program directive enabling program to work in a research operating environment
- Co-Led Engines' workmanship standards plan development
- Led Engines' trade and transition from DNG to Jama, enhancing requirements quality and labor efficiency
- Drove Engines architecture definition
- Developed engines test tools strategy and roadmap
- Developed concepts and solution designs for configuration management, testing and manufacturing tools
Principal Systems Lead
Blue Origin
Kent
06.2020 - 06.2021
- Led team of ~15 aerospace engineers, data engineers, software developers, configuration managers, system modelers
- Supported team lead in developing HLS Configuration and Data Management Plan
- Assisted team lead in system models for HLS
- Led deployment of Windchill, DNG, Jira, Confluence, Gitlab
- Supported UX Lead in developing an integrated configuration data management and collaboration software
Head
Siemens Power and Gas
Orlando
01.2017 - 01.2020
- Led department team of 5 direct reports in US, Canada, and Germany consisting of product owners
- Led development new business for Siemens additive manufacturing and MRO capabilities
- Supported digital transformation for large gas turbine MRO
- Successfully led teams of software engineers and data scientists in support of Artificial Intelligence platform for gas turbine engineering
Manager
Siemens Power and Gas
Orlando
01.2014 - 01.2017
- Led team of 15 direct reports located in US and Germany
- Set up global development team of 30 software developers located in 5 countries
- Led the development of Siemens' next generation gas turbine design platform to reduce design cycle time by 20%
- Improved team effectiveness introducing the Scaled Agile Framework, GIT, Jenkins, and Jira
Manager
Siemens
Orlando
01.2012 - 01.2014
- Led global team to develop aerodynamic and thermomechanical technologies improving engine performance
- Led team of 15+ direct reports + 30 developers
- Led program for multidisciplinary design and optimization; Increased design blade life by 30%
- Led rapid clearance estimation whole engine modeling tool to improve gas turbine efficiency
- Improved rotor disk life by 15-20% via the development and release of rotor disk optimization tool
Senior Engineer
Siemens
Orlando
01.2007 - 01.2011
- Practiced and applied strategic technology portfolio management as well as probabilistic design in the Technology and Innovation Department
- Developed lifing, probabilistic and risk analysis methods applied to the design and analysis of gas turbines
- Concept exploration of the next generation F-Class Siemens gas turbines
Research Assistant
Georgia Tech
Atlanta
01.2001 - 01.2007
- Managed Pratt & Whitney and AFRL Turbine-Based Combined Cycle research projects
- Led development of a space sizing and synthesis tool for NASA Glenn Research Center
Education
Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
01.2007
M.S. - Aerospace Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
01.2007
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Université de Sherbrooke
Canada01.2001
Certificate - Strategic Decision and Risk Management
Stanford University
01.2011
Skills
- Aerospace Engineering
- Systems Engineering
- Design and optimization
- Engines Testing and Planning
- Integrated Product and Process Development
- Propulsion and turbomachinery
- Engineering leadership
- Digitalization
- Product Lifecycle Management (PLM)
- Agile Project Management
- Risk Management
- Continuous improvement
- Systems Modeling (MBSE)
- Configuration and Data Management (CDM)
Patents
A System and Method for Support Structure Parameter and Type Selection in an Additive Manufacturing Process
Hobbies and Interests
- Space
- Skiing
- Soccer Coach
- Coaching
- Meditation
- Workout
- Astrophysics
- Psychology
Honors And Awards
- 2024, Engines Design Office Vice President Award, Engines Design Office Award for contributions on the Engines Test Cadence Initiative
- 2019, Advanced Technologies for Gas Turbines Committee, Power generation expertise provided to the National Academy of Engineering to set the strategy for future gas turbine technology development in the US
- 2018, Siemens SHAPE PG Leadership Development Program, Leadership development program for former Power and Gas Decision. Helped develop strategic thinking, innovation and leadership.
- 2017, George Westinghouse Silver Medal - ASME, Bestowed to eminent achievement in the power field of mechanical engineering
- 2014, College of Engineering Council of Outstanding Young Engineers, Georgia Institute of Technology
- 2000, Academic Student Athlete All-Canadian Honors, Canadian Inter-University Sport
Personal Information
Citizenship: US Citizen
Accomplishments
Engines Design Office Award (2024)
Contributions on the Engines Test Cadence Initiative
Siemens SHAPE PG Leadership Development Program (2020)
Leadership development program for former Power and Gas Decision. Helped develop strategic thinking, innovation and leadership.
Advanced Technologies for Gas Turbines Committee (2019)
Power generation expertise provided to the National Academy of Engineering to set the strategy for future gas turbine technology development in the US
George Westinghouse Silver Medal - ASME (2017)
Bestowed to eminent achievement in the power field of mechanical engineering
College of Engineering Council of Outstanding Young Engineers
Georgia Institute of Technology (2014)
Academic Student Athlete All-Canadian Honors
Canadian Inter-University Sport (1997-2000)
Certification
Certificate, Strategic Decision and Risk Management
Stanford University (2011)
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Principal Systems Engineer
Blue Origin
12.2023 - 02.2025
Principal Systems Engineer
Blue Origin
06.2021 - 12.2023
Principal Systems Lead
Blue Origin
06.2020 - 06.2021
Head
Siemens Power and Gas
01.2017 - 01.2020
Manager
Siemens Power and Gas
01.2014 - 01.2017
Manager
Siemens
01.2012 - 01.2014
Senior Engineer
Siemens
01.2007 - 01.2011
Research Assistant
Georgia Tech
01.2001 - 01.2007
Ph.D. - Aerospace Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
M.S. - Aerospace Engineering
Georgia Institute of Technology
B.S. - Mechanical Engineering
Université de Sherbrooke
Certificate - Strategic Decision and Risk Management
Stanford University
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