Hernan H.
Senior Engineer
Ypsilanti,MI
Summary
Mechatronics engineer with Design and Product development experience in the automotive industry. Expertise in developing plastic components and exterior lamps. Track record in leading full-cycle development projects. Proficient in CAD design and possessing a solid foundation in mechanical, electronics and programming. Experience collaborating with industry clients including Toyota, Ford, Stellantis, Nissan, GM and VW. Adept at translating customer requirements into innovative, compliant, and manufacturable solutions.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
8
8
years of post-secondary education
4
4
Languages
Work History
Senior Product Engineer
Magna Mechatronics, Mirrors And Lighting
Novi, MI
01.2024 - Current
- Coordinate design and development of exterior rear lamps.
- Establish direction for all cross-functional aspects of lamp. Optics, electronics, mechanical, tooling, validation, regulation compliance, style hard points, prototyping, etc.
- Prepared complete and accurate design documentation for GM products.
- Used CAD to draft constructions, explore designs and display photorealistic images.
- Directed, guided and monitored support engineers and in-house operational personnel.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to conceptualize and refine product concepts.
- Utilized various software programs, creating 3D models of design concepts.
Senior Design Engineer
Toyota North America
York, MI
7 2016 - 12.2023
- Coordinated design and development of exterior lighting components for Toyota vehicles.
- Planned structure of parts from target setting to packaging, style feasibility, optics, and mechatronics systems.
- Executed CAD designs independently or by leading a team.
- Improved design quality, mass, warranty tracking, and cost reduction for multiple vehicle models.
- Localized exterior parts, conducted packaging studies, and ensured regulatory compliance in the vehicle for multiple markets (North America, Asia, South America, Middle East and Europe.
- Benchmarking of competitor vehicles and participation in evaluation, manufacturing activities and prototype builds.
- Analyzed and set direction based on CAE/CFD and optics simulations to meet performance and regulation criteria.
- Proposed A surfaces changes for lamps, developed rapid prototypes, and evaluation plans.
- Developed tools for efficiency improvement and led DFA and DFM activities.
- Collaborate with the vehicle electronics engineer to define Lamp architecture and ICD requirements (connector, current, voltage requirements, backflow current, over voltage protection, etc.)
- Contributed to patent applications for novel inventions resulting from collaborative efforts within the engineering team.
- Monitored and evaluated engineering performance to recommend improvements.
- Managed budgets and timelines to ensure the effective use of resources while maintaining the highest quality of output.
Design Engineer
ZKW group
Austria
03.2015 - 06.2016
- Designed new Headlamp with LED technology. - Analyzed plastic components for front exterior lighting. - Executed CAD designs independently. - Improved design quality, mass, and cost for responsible vehicles in production. - Prepared engineering changes for mass production components. - Design and developed plastic components interior to the lamp.
- Conducted extensive research on materials and components to select the most suitable options for each project.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to conceptualize and refine product concepts.
Design Engineer
Hella
Guadalajara, MX
01.2013 - 03.2015
- Designed plastic extensions, reflectors, and brackets for Headlamps. - Responsible for production follow-up issues, warranty, design quality, and VE-VA ideas.
Master Diagnostic Systems
Sanmina SCI
Guadalajara, MX
10.2012 - 01.2013
- Analyzed analog and software failure modes for telecommunication motherboards.
Education
Master of Business administration -
Universidad Tec Milenio
06.2016 - 05.2018
Bachelor - Mechatronics Engineering
Lagos de Moreno
Jalisco, Mexico 06.2007 - 05.2013
Plastic Manufacturing Tools - undefined
ZKW Austria
11.2016 - 05.2016
Training for Automotive Focused in Front Lighting - undefined
ZKW Austria
03.2015 - 05.2016
GD&T ASME Y14.5 Basic and Advanced - undefined
Hella
08.2014 - 05.2014
Catia V5 Mechanical Design Basic and Expert - undefined
Tata Consultancy
03.2013 - 05.2013
Practical Problem Solving - undefined
Toyota
10.2020 - 05.2020
Skills
Budget managementundefined
Websites
References
- Chris Grant, Toyota, chris.grant@toyota.com, +1 (734) 695-2186
- David Osborne, Toyota, david.osborne@toyota.com, +1 (734) 277-6289
- Frank Ramos, Toyota, frank.ramos@toyota.com, +1 (734) 695-3737
- Joe Dick, Toyota, joseph.dick@toyota.com, +1 (734) 695-4359
- Luis Angel Gonzalez, Magna, luis.glz.c@gmail.com, +1 (317) 970-7273
Accomplishments
1. Developed Toyota's Thinnest Reflex Reflector
- Engineered and produced Toyota's thinnest reflex reflector, for FMVSS/CMSS/SAE market standards.
- This component was integrated into the standard catalog for Toyota, and it's currently being used in multiple vehicle platforms.
2. Innovative Foglamp Design for Wider Light Spread
- Designed a Foglamp with the widest light spread (85 degrees to the side of the vehicle) within Toyota.
- Significantly contributed to meeting Headlamp requirements, leading to inclusion in more trims than anticipated and customer revenue.
3. Developed and Patented Toyota's First Trailer Hitch Light
- Developed the first Trailer Hitch Light for the Trailer Assist system, earning two patents for the optical system and lamp concept.
- The lamp concept is used for next-gen vehicles and is currently implemented in over four vehicles, including trucks and SUVs.
4. Industry first Backup + License Plate Lamp Combination
- Engineered the first lamp globally to combine backup and license plate functions, showcasting innovation in exterior lighting design.
5. Toyota's First ID Lamp
- Developed the first ID lamp for Toyota, meeting Front and Rear ID performance requirements with minimal modifications.
6. Efficiency Tools and Process Improvements
- Created a tool using Python and Excel to compare old vs new Parts list and Matrix variation, saving approximately 160 hours per engineer per project.
7. Patented Concept for Tow Hitch Connector System
- Pioneered a concept for a tow hitch connector system (patent pending), demonstrating forward-thinking solutions beyond exterior lighting.
8. Cost Reduction Initiatives
- Led multiple cost reduction activities for Toyota vehicles on exterior lamps, resulting in estimated cost savings of ~$900,000 USD per year.
Timeline
Senior Product Engineer
Magna Mechatronics, Mirrors And Lighting
01.2024 - Current
Practical Problem Solving - undefined
Toyota
10.2020 - 05.2020
Plastic Manufacturing Tools - undefined
ZKW Austria
11.2016 - 05.2016
Master of Business administration -
Universidad Tec Milenio
06.2016 - 05.2018
Design Engineer
ZKW group
03.2015 - 06.2016
Training for Automotive Focused in Front Lighting - undefined
ZKW Austria
03.2015 - 05.2016
GD&T ASME Y14.5 Basic and Advanced - undefined
Hella
08.2014 - 05.2014
Catia V5 Mechanical Design Basic and Expert - undefined
Tata Consultancy
03.2013 - 05.2013
Design Engineer
Hella
01.2013 - 03.2015
Master Diagnostic Systems
Sanmina SCI
10.2012 - 01.2013
Bachelor - Mechatronics Engineering
Lagos de Moreno
06.2007 - 05.2013
Senior Design Engineer
Toyota North America
7 2016 - 12.2023
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