Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Timeline
Generic

Matthew Thompson

Kent City,MI

Summary

Skilled Program Manager and problem solver with specialization in chassis development, supplier and customer negotiations, and quality assurance. Proven leader in cost-saving initiatives, cross-functional collaboration, and operational efficiency. Certified in Lean Six Sigma and IATF 16949:2016 standards, with a strong technical and military leadership background.

Overview

19
19
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification

Work History

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) Manager

Hutchinson Antivibration Systems
Grand Rapids, MI
03.2025 - Current
  • Led APQP, aligning operations with customer requirements, facilitating Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) approvals, managing quality planning, and driving cross-functional collaboration.
  • Reduced Ford warranty debits by 26% using data analysis, statistical methods, and negotiation.
  • Led problem-solving and corrective actions for International Automotive Task Force (IATF) 16949:2016 recertification audit findings.
  • Educated supplier management and suppliers on using Capacity Analysis Reports (CAR) forms to ensure 80% Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).

Program Manager / Project Leader Ford & Zoox Chassis

Hutchinson Antivibration Systems
Grand Rapids, MI
05.2021 - 03.2025
  • Led chassis development team, improving efficiency and cost.
  • Managed production design changes to resolve a customer recall crisis, achieving expedited development and 20% cost savings.
  • Negotiated 41% supplier prototype cost reduction and 39% per-unit increase to the customer.

Program Manager / Application Engineer

DTR Tech Center
Troy, MI
07.2016 - 05.2021
  • Managed suspension programs for Ford, GM and Stellantis.
  • Earned the trust of engineering leads through specialization and reliability, fostering new business opportunities.

Test Engineer

Link Engineering
Dearborn, MI
03.2014 - 07.2016
  • Independently coordinated with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA), Brembo, Akebono and Federal-Mogul to ensure compliance in dynamometer tests.
  • Led FCA’s brake testing initiative for its harmonization project, generating $600K+ in revenue.

Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) United States Navy

USS Carl Vinson & NAS Whidbey Island, WA
WA
08.2006 - 02.2014
  • Managed 8,250 test systems, 77 customers, and 5 technicians.
  • Awarded Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2011).

Education

MS - Program and Project Management

University of Michigan
12.2020

MS - Engineering Technology

Wayne State University
05.2018

BS - Technical Management

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
03.2014

Skills

  • Program Management
  • APQP
  • PPAP
  • Supplier and Customer Negotiations
  • Problem Solving
  • Crisis Resolution
  • Relationship Building
  • Lean Six Sigma
  • Data Analysis and Statistical Methods

Certification

  • Lean Six Sigma Green Belt, Purdue University, 2024
  • IATF 16949:2016 Understanding and Internal Auditor Certification, AIAG, 2024
  • Problem Solving for Practitioners, AIAG, 2025
  • Core Tools Overview, AIAG, 2025

Timeline

Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) Manager

Hutchinson Antivibration Systems
03.2025 - Current

Program Manager / Project Leader Ford & Zoox Chassis

Hutchinson Antivibration Systems
05.2021 - 03.2025

Program Manager / Application Engineer

DTR Tech Center
07.2016 - 05.2021

Test Engineer

Link Engineering
03.2014 - 07.2016

Petty Officer Second Class (E-5) United States Navy

USS Carl Vinson & NAS Whidbey Island, WA
08.2006 - 02.2014

MS - Program and Project Management

University of Michigan

MS - Engineering Technology

Wayne State University

BS - Technical Management

Embry Riddle Aeronautical University
Matthew Thompson