Maria Elena LaFrance
Euless
Summary
Dynamic Sr. Engineer at American Airlines with a proven track record in project management and innovative solutions. Expert in system performance analysis and mentoring junior engineers, I drive process improvements that enhance efficiency and reduce costs. Passionate about leveraging engineering expertise to deliver exceptional results and foster cross-functional collaboration. Innovative Senior Engineer with comprehensive background in designing, developing, and implementing technical solutions. Strengths include strong analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and a keen eye for detail. Proven track record in leading engineering teams to deliver high-quality projects on time that meet client needs. Significant contributions made to previous workplaces by streamlining processes, reducing costs, and improving operational efficiency.
Overview
15
15
years of professional experience
Work History
Sr. Engineer
American Airlines
Fort Worth
05.2024 - Current
- Led engineering projects from concept to completion, ensuring alignment with company goals.
- Mentored junior engineers, providing guidance on best practices and technical challenges.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to design innovative solutions for complex problems.
- Analyzed system performance data to identify areas for improvement and optimization.
- Developed technical documentation to support engineering processes and project requirements.
- Reviewed project specifications to ensure compliance with industry standards and regulations.
- Implemented process improvements that enhanced project efficiency and reduced downtime.
- Implemented best practices in engineering standards and procedures.
- Monitored performance metrics to identify areas of improvement.
- Led team meetings to discuss project progress and address issues.
- Surveyed sites, collected measurements, and assessed project conditions.
- Resolved escalated customer issues in a timely manner.
- Spearheaded research initiatives to integrate new technologies into existing systems, improving performance.
- Conducted comprehensive risk assessments to proactively address potential issues in project development phases.
- Oversaw the preparation and maintenance of project documentation, including design specifications, user manuals, and progress reports.
- Participated in professional development opportunities, staying abreast of emerging technologies and engineering methodologies.
- Managed patent applications for innovative designs and technologies, protecting intellectual property and fostering a culture of innovation.
- Conducted regular performance evaluations of engineering processes and systems, recommending optimizations and enhancements.
- Developed innovative solutions to enhance system efficiency and reduce project costs.
- Analyzed market trends and customer feedback to inform the development of new engineering solutions and product improvements.
- Managed cross-functional teams, fostering collaboration between engineering, manufacturing, and quality assurance departments.
- Directed the allocation of resources, including budget, personnel, and materials, to maximize productivity and meet project deadlines.
- Presented project updates and technical findings to stakeholders and executive leadership, effectively communicating complex information.
- Finished projects on time and within budget.
- Communicated with clients and coworkers about analysis results.
- Coordinated activities with suppliers, contractors or other departments.
- Conducted analyses addressing failure, reliability or yield improvement.
- Generated technical reports for customers.
- Determined design criteria or specifications.
- Generated engineering documentation and oversaw design projects.
- Led team in the design and implementation of complex engineering projects, ensuring adherence to quality and budget constraints.
- Represented the company at industry conferences and seminars, establishing a presence as a thought leader in the engineering community.
- Analyzed design or requirement information for equipment or systems.
- Advised customers on use of products or services.
- Researched feasibility, design or performance of components or systems.
Human Factors/Performance
American Airlines
Fort Worth
07.2022 - 05.2024
- Proactively mitigates safety risk factors to improve human and organizational performance.
- Provide strategies and expertise related to human factors methodologies to examine events, recommend, and coordinate error reduction efforts to minimize safety hazards and risk.
- Identify and analyze potential risks by performing human factors investigations and developing action plans.
- Partners with team members and leadership to integrate system design improvements using human performance principles.
- Worked successfully with diverse group of coworkers to accomplish goals and address issues related to our products and services.
- Identified needs of customers promptly and efficiently.
Senior Compliance Engineer
American Airlines, American Airlines HDQ
Fort Worth
10.2019 - 07.2022
- Train and mentor junior employees.
- Collaborated with users to diagnose and resolve network and device problems, and implemented established technical or procedural solutions.
- Monitored and analyzed system performance.
- Implemented improvement initiatives and developed compliance programs to monitor and identify gaps in new and existing practices.
- Identified potential areas of compliance vulnerability and risk to develop and implement corrective action plans.
- Created and presented reports outlining findings and recommendations from compliance audits.
- Monitored compliance with processes, policies, procedures, and standards in regard to the collection and management of annual contributions from shareholder companies.
- Gathered, organized, and evaluated data to make accurate assessments of current operations.
- Oversaw and monitored the violation tracking system for accuracy and compliance.
Senior Interiors Engineer
American Airlines, American Airlines HDQ
Fort Worth
07.2014 - 10.2019
- Defined engineering problems, collected data, established facts and drew conclusions to solve project issues.
- Maintained project schedule by monitoring employee performance.
- Determined project specifications by thoroughly studying performance standards, requirements and technical studies.
- Confirmed product performance by performing tests and troubleshooting difficulties.
- Performed preventive maintenance and repairs on aircraft parts and equipment.
- Developed, implemented and maintained proactive maintenance practices.
- Monitored project progress, ensuring conformance to design specifications and safety standards.
- Collaborated with on-site directors, operations managers and supervisors on engineering projects.
- Developed and implemented process flow improvement and standardization projects.
- Managed various stages of aircraft modification and repair projects.
- Collaborated with engineers, mechanics, planning, procurement and FAA inspectors on timely and accurate completion of engineering projects.
- Presented drawings to project managers and incorporated recommended changes.
- Diagnosed issues with aircraft systems and quickly repaired flaws to maintain functionality.
- Inspected equipment before, during and after projects to maintain progression and functionality.
- Designed, prototyped and tested interior's aircraft mechanical and electrical systems.
- Trained new engineers on project development and maintenance processes to streamline overall productivity for interior projects.
Reliability Engineer
American Airlines, American Airlines HDQ
Fort Worth
06.2012 - 06.2014
- Reviewed test plans and procedures for adequate coverage of system requirements.
- Identified areas needing improvement to review with senior leadership and develop plans for improvement.
- Assisted with preparation of Operational Test Readiness Reviews (OTRR) and other technical briefs.
- Collaborated with senior partners to verify presence and integration of automation capabilities into developed software.
- Provided technical advice to influence and improve quality of engineering practices.
Co-Op Engineer
American Airlines
Fort Worth
07.2010 - 06.2012
- Monitored project progress, ensuring conformance to design specifications and safety standards.
- Developed and implemented process flow improvement and standardization projects.
- Researched and investigated project requirements.
- Drafted 2D designs
- Altered, tested and modified mechanical designs to meet requirements and eliminate malfunctions.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Oklahoma State University
Stillwater, OK05.2012
Skills
- Analytical Thinking and Problem-Solving
- Project Management
- Team Leadership
- Strong Communication and Interpersonal Skills
- Organization and Time Management
- Mentor and Training of Junior Team Members
- Design and Development
- Eagerness to Learn New Technologies
- Risk Analysis
- Engineering and Technology
- Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management
- Project Oversight
- Customer Relationship Management
- Team leadership
- Innovative solutions
- Relationship management skills
- Exemplary people management skills
- Cross-functional collaboration
- Process improvement
- System performance analysis
- Project management
- Stakeholder communication
Affiliations
- Society of Women Engineers
- American Society of Safety Professionals
- Professional Women in Aviation
- Society of Professional Hispanic Engineers
- EBRG member
Languages
Spanish
Native/ Bilingual
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Sr. Engineer
American Airlines
05.2024 - Current
Human Factors/Performance
American Airlines
07.2022 - 05.2024
Senior Compliance Engineer
American Airlines, American Airlines HDQ
10.2019 - 07.2022
Senior Interiors Engineer
American Airlines, American Airlines HDQ
07.2014 - 10.2019
Reliability Engineer
American Airlines, American Airlines HDQ
06.2012 - 06.2014
Co-Op Engineer
American Airlines
07.2010 - 06.2012
Bachelor of Science - Mechanical Engineering
Oklahoma State University
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