Joseph Searle
Melbourne
Summary
Highly motivated and results-oriented engineering manager with 15+ years of progressive experience leading teams and projects across product support, system test, and vehicle design/build IPTs. Proven ability to drive innovation, optimize processes, and deliver complex solutions on time and under budget. Expertise in program management, design and test engineering, customer and stakeholder collaboration, and team leadership.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Engineering Manager
Northrop Grumman Corporation
01.2022 - Current
- Spearheading new program standup, managing a >32M SOW (current focus)
- Managing a 25+ engineer team developing solutions for aircraft support, maintenance and repair
- Selected as national Technical Lead for Support Equipment after repeatedly demonstrating innovative solutions to complex problems
- Built a high-performing multiple site test team
- Generated $20M+ in sales opportunities by developing and executing innovative testing strategies for support equipment (SE)
- Managed the successful implementation of SE in several critical production operations, directly contributing to historic programmatic milestones
- Prioritized and executed early testing opportunities, reducing risk for over 50% of relevant items
- Developed backup fly day test plans to ensure IPT readiness to assist IPT director
- Led a cross collaboration with data analytics to integrate SE schedule data into Tableau for enhanced metrics visualization used to negotiate priority for on asset test opportunities
- Consistently delivered major program milestones on time and under budget
- Effectively managed cost, schedule, and performance data, supplementing CAM activities
- Created a cross-platform SE reference to improve SOW execution and future capture efforts
- Maintained SE team performance during a critical transitional period
Acting Manager
Northrop Grumman Corporation
06.2020 - 01.2021
- Managed a 20+ member cross-functional team (design, stress, technicians, project engineers) supporting a ~$30M NCTA project
- Oversaw the design, development, and fabrication of high-fidelity test environments for major platform subsystems (fire protection, weapon systems, flight controls, in-flight refueling, support systems)
- Coordinated and executed multiple test events, demonstrating compliance with system acceptance test procedures and effectively mitigating programmatic risks
- Assisted in stand up and operation of a manufacturing shop (3 CNC machines, 2 3D printers)
- Managed a high-bay laboratory, coordinating asset utilization
- Supported cost account management using earned value techniques (+18M managed, +12M risk reduction projects captured)
- Developed and implemented Test Common Processes & Procedures across system test team (~130 people)
- Implemented Agile project management methodologies
Design Lead
Northrop Grumman Corporation
07.2017 - 01.2022
- Led system test teams of 12-22 engineers
- Delivered unique high value test article frequently toured by high level government officials
- Developed unique system test equipment required to pass system test ATPs
- Developed engineering best practices for CAD modeling, drafting, manufacturing, installation, and testing resulting in 300+ technical data packages
- Integrated with subsystem REs, system test engineers, and various IPT leads to define deign and test requirements
- Established basis of estimates for new designs and installations
- Delivered early risk reduction to the program
- Created a highly technical contract deliverable model, recognized by leadership
Design Lead/Structural Design Engineer
L-3 Technologies Mission Integration Division
06.2010 - 06.2017
- Led flight deck engineering for multiple reconnaissance & surveillance platforms
- Structural integration of special mission warfare systems
- Coordinated with customers, project engineers, and design engineers
- Managed bidding for engineering, procurement, fabrication, and installation
- Tracked labor and schedule to ensure on-time and under-budget delivery
- Performed sheet metal, machined, and composite part design with detail, assembly, and installation engineering
Structural Design Engineer
Spirit AeroSystems
06.2009 - 09.2009
- Designed solutions for 787 Dreamliner Lower 41 access door interference
- Performed track extension modeling and kinematic simulation
- Developed engineering for bulkhead routing passthroughs
Education
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
Oklahoma State University
05.2010
Skills
- Project management
- Strategic planning
- Design & test engineering management
- Resource management
- Employee management
- Agile framework understanding
- Model Based Systems Engineering
- Control Account Management
- 7x7 Aircraft Structural Repair thru Boeing
- GD&T thru UCLA
Clearance
Active TS Security Clearance
Activities
- Northrop Grumman STEM volunteer
- Engineering career presentations and physics demonstrations
- Hovercraft design and construction challenge team leader
- Design Build & Fly competition team participant
- Prior President of Engineering Club, Northern Oklahoma College
Timeline
Engineering Manager
Northrop Grumman Corporation
01.2022 - Current
Acting Manager
Northrop Grumman Corporation
06.2020 - 01.2021
Design Lead
Northrop Grumman Corporation
07.2017 - 01.2022
Design Lead/Structural Design Engineer
L-3 Technologies Mission Integration Division
06.2010 - 06.2017
Structural Design Engineer
Spirit AeroSystems
06.2009 - 09.2009
Bachelor of Science - Aerospace & Mechanical Engineering
Oklahoma State University
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