MELERY A. FIGUEROA LOPEZ
Juana Diaz
Summary
Accomplished and results-driven engineering professional with over 25 years of progressive leadership experience in the electronics and aerospace industries, specializing in manufacturing engineering, production operations, process optimization, and plant leadership. Proven track record of driving operational excellence and reducing costs while leading cross-functional teams to successfully execute aerospace programs in regulated, high-precision environments. Expertise in team leadership, talent development, mentoring, effective communication, and project management enhances the ability to foster collaboration and achieve strategic objectives. Committed to continuous improvement and innovation, ensuring alignment with industry best practices to deliver exceptional results.
Overview
27
27
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Senior Manufacturing Engineering Manager
RTX Collins Aerospace
Santa Isabel, PR
06.2024 - Current
- Directly manage a team of 24 engineers and 4 technical specialists. Interface with internal management to ensure support and communicate group performance against company goals.
- Serve as key operational partner to Production, Quality, and Supply Chain leadership.
- Support capital investment planning and execution for new equipment and automation projects.
- Ensure AS9100 compliance with successful audit outcomes and zero major findings.
- Support new product introduction (NPI) and program ramp-ups to meet customer delivery targets.
- Drive process optimization initiatives, scrap and rework reduction initiatives by 20% using structured root cause methodology.
- Recruit, engage and develop technical talent within the organization by coaching and mentoring them.
Manufacturing Engineering Manager (Technical Planning)
Collins Aerospace
Santa Isabel, PR
06.2020 - 06.2024
- Led the technical planning engineering team (8 engineers and 4 technicians) supporting electronics, machining, assembly, and special processes.
- Standardized work instructions, process documentation and implemented digital work order systems.
- Support Boeing capacity modeling improving production forecasting accuracy by 30%.
- Led cross-functional PFMEA initiatives on new aerospace product launches.
- Created detailed reports for senior management on projects status and deadlines.
- Analyzed customer feedback data to identify areas needing improvement in JIS and MEQA services.
- Implemented strategies that increased customer satisfaction ratings by 18%.
- Ensured compliance with applicable laws, regulations, policies and procedures related to engineering operations.
Senior Manufacturing Staff Engineer
Collins Aerospace
Santa Isabel, PR
06.2016 - 06.2020
- Military aftermarket proposals and manufacturing process assessment.
- Manage and ensure communication within CSI, engineering, planning, operations and senior management on proposal needs improving and maintaining a turnaround time (TAT) of 15 days in average.
- Conducted feasibility studies for new product introductions or process changes, assessing risks and benefits before implementation decisions were made.
- Responsible for the Failure Mode and Effect Analysis Process (PFMEA) at the electro-mechanical product business. Including but not limited to the development, maintenance, execution and internal training process.
- Ensure compliance with International trade laws and government regulations as JCL2 and HTS classifier ensuring a turnaround time of less than 1 day.
Production Area Manager (Special Assignment)
United Technologies Aerospace Systems
Santa Isabel, PR
06.2014 - 06.2016
- Lead daily manufacturing operations and walks within PMG and AUT production area to ensure safety, quality, delivery, and cost targets are consistently achieved.
- Drive performance using KPIs such as variance reports, COS reports, budgets and payroll records to identify areas of improvement. Manage departmental labor costs, and productivity targets reducing DCI by 5%.
- Ensure compliance with AS9100, safety regulations, and internal quality management systems.
- Identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions to improve workflow and capacity utilization. Develop and execute production schedules in coordination with Planning and Supply Chain teams.
- Conduct root cause analysis (RCCA) for production, quality, and delivery issues. Establish a line of balance for the CAC and NGS stators, improving delivery by 25% and reducing rejects by 30%.
- Oversee workforce planning, staffing, and training to meet production demand, including cross-training between shifts.
- Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with OSHA and environmental standards.
Staff Engineer
United Technologies Aerospace Systems
Santa Isabel, PR
12.2009 - 06.2014
- Coach, train and assign projects to new manufacturing engineers and coop program students.
- Lead the PRM manufacturing and quality assurance (MEQA) group. Direct and coordinate group activities to improve performance and increase efficiency.
- Manage and ensure communication within engineering, operations and senior management on daily production needs.
- Elaborate reporting and presentations related to department objectives, present results to management at monthly staff meetings.
- Identified potential areas of improvement in existing processes and procedures related to engineering tasks.
Manufacturing Engineers Supervisor
Hamilton Sundstrand of Puerto Rico
Santa Isabel, PR
12.2007 - 12.2009
- Supervise and provide coaching to a group of 5 manufacturing engineers, responsible for daily technical support.
- Identify and guide the development and implementation of process improvements projects within the manufacturing areas.
- Assures new processes/equipment justification, implementation and validation (CAPEX).
- Interacts and coordinates with all departments/functions (internal and external) to provide manufacturing, quality and process solutions.
- Train and mentor junior engineers, fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional development within the team.
Manufacturing and Quality Engineer
Hamilton Sundstrand of Puerto Rico
Santa Isabel, PR
06.2004 - 12.2007
- Developed and implemented quality control processes to ensure product met customer requirements.
- Performed root cause analysis of non-conforming products and identified corrective actions for improvement.
- Incorporate improvements in JIS, and process because of RRCA exercise.
- Develop and implement fixtures to aid manufacturing process and reduce quality defects in manufacturing cells like SPD, HAR, BRK, RP1, PM2, FANS, MAI, DIO and PM3.
- Implement CAPEX projects like new Breaker’s test stand, new stripping and cutting machine for DIO cell, new brazing process at MAI cell.
- Collaborated with engineering teams on new product development projects, providing input on design changes necessary for meeting customer requirements.
Operations and Lean Manufacturing Engineer
Harvey Hubbell Caribe Inc.
Aibonito and Vega Baja, PR
01.1999 - 06.2004
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams to ensure successful implementation of new processes or procedures related to Lean Manufacturing initiatives.
- Train team members on lean principles such as 5S, Kaizen, Kanban and Six Sigma.
- Facilitated Kaizen events resulting in injection molding die set-up reduction from 2 hours to 25 minutes.
- Implement an inventory control and 1st inspection system in injection molding area representing a $250K reduction.
- Conducted value stream mapping and workflow redesign initiatives in wall plates lines.
- Reduced lead time in hospital grade line by 22% through layout and cell redesign.
- Implemented visual management systems and KPI tracking tools in automated switches line.
- Supported ERP implementation and materials planning optimization.
- Conducted time studies, line balancing, and value stream mapping initiatives.
Education
Master Degree - Engineering Management
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, PR06-2005
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
San Juan, PR06-2002
Skills
- Culture Transformation
- Strong interpersonal skills
- Training, coach and mentoring
- Decision-making skills
- Prioritization
- Root-cause analysis
- Compliance
- Lean manufacturing expertise (Value stream mapping, Material flow optimization)
- Cross-functional team leadership
- Evaluating performance
- Teamwork and collaboration
Certification
- Certified Lean Manufacturing Trainer (Six Sigma Concepts) - March 2004
- Supervisors Academy Certification - October 2007
- ACE Operating system - Associate Level Certification - November 2009
- Certified Process Failure Mode and Effects Analysis Trainer - August 2013
- Certified JCL 2 and HTS - ITC focal - April 2017
- Social Events Coordinator - July 2023
- Core Champion - September 2023
- RTX Go Lead Accelerator Program - October 2023
- Executive Organizational Coach – December 2024
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Full Professional
Timeline
Senior Manufacturing Engineering Manager
RTX Collins Aerospace
06.2024 - Current
Manufacturing Engineering Manager (Technical Planning)
Collins Aerospace
06.2020 - 06.2024
Senior Manufacturing Staff Engineer
Collins Aerospace
06.2016 - 06.2020
Production Area Manager (Special Assignment)
United Technologies Aerospace Systems
06.2014 - 06.2016
Staff Engineer
United Technologies Aerospace Systems
12.2009 - 06.2014
Manufacturing Engineers Supervisor
Hamilton Sundstrand of Puerto Rico
12.2007 - 12.2009
Manufacturing and Quality Engineer
Hamilton Sundstrand of Puerto Rico
06.2004 - 12.2007
Operations and Lean Manufacturing Engineer
Harvey Hubbell Caribe Inc.
01.1999 - 06.2004
Bachelor of Science - Industrial Engineering
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico
Master Degree - Engineering Management
Polytechnic University of Puerto Rico